[idavarcpa]

Here is my question.

I have always worked in general accounting and have over 15 years of experience. I have an MS in Accountancy degree, MBA in IT and BA in Economics. Right now I’m working on my 3rd test toward CPA certification. I would love to work for big 4 in a corporate accounting environmentment as an auditor. However, I find it kind of difficult to position myself as a candidate for one of the big accounting companies. I have a lot of accounting experience so I wouldn’t want to get an entry level position as many who just graduated from college. On the other hand, I don’t have any experience working as an auditor.

Any comment, advice is greatly appreciated

[topharry123]

This interests me as well as funilly enough I am in the exact same boat as you, 3rd test, 12 years experience and worked in general accounting wanting to move into audit :). I have rebuilt my resume this week and will start sending it out to the Big 4 shortly. I think the important thing is to position yourself into getting an interview which means writing a top class resume that stands out and positions you towards a job in audit. Try thinking of things that you have done in your career and things you have accomplished that would be useful in an audit role. Make your resume stand out, then if you can get a call back you have as much chance as anyone else; you just need to sell yourself in the interview. Good luck with it !!

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[ImaCPA168]

Try to position yourself for an experienced position. Play up your general accounting experience and any audt experience you have. Any technical accounting skills? Great at GAAP? Have you supervised others? I would mention all of that.

Based on what you said about yourself, I would guess that you would be considered for an experienced audit staff position (equivalent to someone who has been auditing for 1-2 years) or more likely an inexperience audit senior position (2-3 years). Don't be discouraged. I know it doesn't really translate to your 15 years experience in general accounting. Keep in mind that it's really fast paced in public accounting (especially Big 4) and promotions come every 2-3 years. If you start as an experienced staff, you'll likely be promoted to senior in 1 year. If you start as and inexperienced senior, Manager is only 3 years away. Whatever time you lost, will be quickly gained back.

Getting an experienced staff position might be a blessing in disguise as well. You'll have more time to get trained up with how your firm does things without as much burden of performance expectations on your shoulders. If you get the inexperienced senior position or anything higher, be prepared for a steep learning curve. You'll be expected to learn the all the applicable accounting standards (for your clients), all the firm's audit methodology, and other administrative responsibilities well enough to lead an audit team. I have heard of expectations as shorts as 6 months. Then they start watching you like a hawk and counseling you (either for improvement or out the door).

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[acamp]

One guy at my firm had about 5 years of private sector accounting, he started as a 2nd year associate and had a fairly tough time at the beginning. He's alive and well now running as a Senior auditor, but even with great GAAP knowledge not having the audit background made things a little difficult. So while you want to start as high up as possible, the learning curve may get pretty steep

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[Anonymous]

I have similar question.

I have completed all 4 parts of CPA, No Accounting experience, but do have 4yrs financial services experience. what job should I apply at BIG 4?

oh, I do have a family friend at Big 4, and he will use employee referral for me, but I don't know, if Big 4 will considered me, based on my bio.

[ImaCPA168]

@ cpanow1

What is financial service experience? That's a little vague and unrelated to auditing/tax/accounting.

Either way, with your 4 years of unrelated experience, I think you'd be looking at entery-level staff/1st year associate or experienced staff/2nd year associate positions in a Big 4. It could be in any practice you're interested in… Audit, Tax, Advisory…etc.

I agree with acamp, there ‘s going to be a learning curve. And if you position yourself for an experienced position and actually get it, you're in for hard times especially if you don't actually have the experience and knowledge to back it up. I've seen people who have done this and worked their butts off but were successful yet I've also seen those who got burnt out or failed entirely.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Anonymous]

@ImaCPA168..I have banking industry experience. (did a lot of banking auditing procedures)

I just want a entry level job at Big 4, then I will work my butt off to senior level, with my CPA license. So, how to you tell my looking at job description, that is 1st year associate, or 2nd year associate.

should I go do staff accounting at small co, for a month, and then apply, or can't I get in bio my all cpa exams passed?

thanks ImaCPA168 for your reply.

[wannabeCPA123]

Something I noticed about the new hires and Experienced staff that I met at the Big 4 I will be starting at in Fall…

Many of them seem to have sales or marketing experience. There seems to be a big demand for extroverted people. Honestly, that seems to be the best impression you can make. That you can be a salesmen as well as an accountant.

I haven't worked in industry or in public, but I get the sense that industry may not give you the feel of what Big 4 accounting is like.

I haven't even started and there is already emails asking me to network with so and so group.

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[ImaCPA168]

@cpanow1

OK. Now we're talking. So you have audit expereince. Internal Audit? Make sure you highlight that in your resume. If you can find out if the Big4 you're applying for is heavy with financial services/banking clients…then your background in banking might help.

I still think you will be considered for a 1st or 2nd year associate position. There are the obvious external audit positions in the regular audit practice of the firms. There are also advisory/consulting practices where there are internal audit positions available. You might want to check those out as well.

To answer your first question, you can't really tell if you're applying for a 1st or 2nd year associate position. It's the same position and there is no difference in the actual job title. 1st or 2nd just means how long a person has been in that position. If the job description says “audit associate” then assume it's a 1st or 2nd year associate position. During the interview, based on how you communicate your applicable experience and qualifications, they will decide which to offer you. And maybe that is negotiable. Whether you get 1st or 2nd year position won't show in your actual job title. You will be an audit associate either way. The difference is how close you will be to the promotion to senior. If they offer you a 1st year position, then you'll have 2+ years to promotion to senior. I they offer a 2nd year position, then you have one less year to the senior promotion. The same logic applies to senior, managers positions.

To answer your second question, I don't think it is necessary or useful to go to a small company to get accounting expereince. I would apply to the Big 4 of your choice. Make sure your resume is great and free of errors. Then when you get your interview, make sure to showcase your most personable and outgoing side. Since you're applying for entery level audit staff position, there won't be many if any techinical questions.

B - 83 Done
A - 88 Done
R - 81 Done
F - 77 Done

Ethics - Done
Attest Hours - Done

Licensed-May 2013!

[Anonymous]

@ImaCPA168 WOW thanks for the post.

most of the position I see on BIG 4 are senior level/ manager level,. which I don't think I would qualify. I am currently looking for 1st year.

yea, you are right, small co, teaches you everything VS BIG 4 , where they focus one thing.

I did do a lot of internal auditing procedures at Bank. I would love to get you feedback via email regarding my resume, if that ok with you?

[Author]

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