[PP]

Hi All,
A little bit of myself! I’m currently a master of accounting student at one of top business schools in my area. During this fall recruiting, 3 out of the Big 4 firms denied to give me interviews even though I went to most of their social events and networked hard. I also maintain relative high GPA for the first half of the master program (3.9), joined BAP, and have couple internships with local firms under my belt. However, things aren’t going to the direction that I was expected. I couldn’t even land a single interview with those top firms. I know it’s super competitive in my area as the big 4 offices here are smaller and have limited opening positions so I put my location preferences to bigger cities like SF/ Seattle but there’s still no hope. I was wondering why (may be b/c of my undergraduate GPA -3.4) but there’s no time to look back. I’m moving forward with my plan B, which focuses on top regional firms in Seattle/SF/Los Angeles area. Does anyone have any tips to apply for regional firms that’s out of state? most of the firms that i applied for don’t have office in my current location. I tried contact the recruiters there but not a single one of them respond back to me. Also does anyone have experience to work at a smaller firms later move up to big 4? is it possible?

[Anonymous]

Possible but unlikely unless you know someone. But I'd say it's because your undergraduate GPA isnt 3.5+. Big 4 doesnt care about MAcc GPAs at all. I think passing your CPA exams would land you an interview.

[ultrarunner]

Your undergraduate GPA doesn't matter as long as you are in Master's. Many Master's students don't even have accounting degree. Did you have the elevator pitch? Are you a shy person? Campus recruitment is all about people skill. If they like you, they will invite you for an interview. Good luck.

CPA/ MST/ Roger CPA Review

FAR 72,67,79 (Roger+Wiley test bank)11/15
AUD 80 (Roger)10/15
BEC 80 (Roger)4/16
REG 63,78 (Roger+Ninja MCQs)5/16

[PP]

Thanks for your response. I'm working on FAR now hopefully to finish all parts soon. As I talked to my career advisor, she said that my MAcc gpa would cover my undergrad plus I also have 3 relevant internships (2 with CPA firms and 1 with a investment company) so she was very positive that I would get interviews with them. But turn out it didn't happen. Anyway I'm planning to stay at local/mid size firm then pass cpa then reapply again.

[PP]

Hi Ultrarunner, Thanks for you response as well. I'm not a shy person but I also not a natural extrovert; but I'm really comfortable talking with people. I didn't have a structured elevator pitch but I maintained conversations throughout the social events. I also sent follow up letters after but it didn't work for me. I was really frustrating and upset the past two weeks thinking what happened as I planned for almost for 2 years to get the chance to network and apply to big 4. However, It is what it is, the only thing i can do right now is focusing on CPA exam and geting a f/t position at one of the local/regional firm then apply again in the future.

[Outsider626]

I'm in a similar position as you, only I made a huge mistake and started going to Big 4 events at my campus during my senior year and it was too late. I wish I could go back 2-3 years back and do everything differently. You really have to hustle and go to all those events and kiss ass of the recruiters. A few of my friends told me that's how they got into Big 4. Now I graduated with a double degree and applied for a full time position at EY and KPMG. I highly doubt I will get an interview, but who knows. Maybe I'll get lucky somehow. My plan is to pass the CPA exam and hopefully land an interview with any of the big 4 next year. If it's not going to work than I will look for a career in different field.

[Sleep Optional]

@Outsider626: I wouldn't switch fields just because the Big 4 wouldn't give you an interview. Contrary to popular belief, not getting into the Big 4 is not the end of the world.

I was in a similar circumstance years ago. I did very little networking in college (and the little I did, I was incredibly bad at). Didn't get a Big 4 interview- ended up working at a Law Firm specializing in International Tax for just under 1 1/2 years. Then moved 1 year ago to a Mid-sized Accounting Firm (Tax). I got an interview with EY 3 weeks ago for a Senior role which I turned down (I was curious to see if I would even get an interview). My current compensation is in-line with the Big 4, but my work-life balance is far greater. Career growth is still aplenty.

Degrees, Accreditation, GPAs, etc are all fine and dandy, but you get far further ahead in life with slightly above average intelligence and people skills. If you're not a people person, it's ok- learn to fake it. Have a golden retriever type of personality (or fake it), and you'll do well in life.

BEC x1 - Passed
REG x2 - Passed
Audit x1 - Passed
FAR x2 - Passed

BEC: ☑ x1 attempt(s)
REG: ☑ x2 ''
AUD: ☑ x1 ''
FAR: ☑ x2 ''

Done!

[Outsider626]

Well the thing is I barely have any accounting experience. I mean I do but it's only 3-4 months that I did VITA program preparing tax returns for individuals with low income. During my 5 years in college I had to work as paralegal at a law firm so that I could pay for school. I wasn't eligible for financial aid. I'm not against working for a mid sized accounting firm but I feel like lack of experience in accounting field will hold me back even from even getting entry level position. I'm not sure if passing CPA exam will open some doors without experience…

[ohiocpacma]

I agree with Sleep Optional. You can have a successful career without Big 4. I had a great internship in internal audit with a great company and did not get a second interview with Big 4 my senior year (or my junior year). I decided to forgo my full time offer in internal audit after my internship and take an international government position (not relevant to my point). But, when I got back I passed my CPA exams while working as a Cost Accountant for a manufacturer and now I work in corporate finance (NPV, Project Evaluation, Modeling, Some accounting, P&L management) with many of my coworkers with a Big 4 background. You can make a good career path without Big 4. That's one thing I had to get over after I was passed over twice! (internships and full time recruiting)

We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. 

[SuperAccountingGod]

Remember: there's more to life in public accounting than just Big 4. Don't let yourself get fooled into thinking you HAVE TO BE IN BIG 4 to have a successful career in public accounting. With that said, if you still anticipate studying for your exams after graduation, my suggestion is to go for the smaller/regional firms until you pass them all. You will have much more free time on your hands and you're going to need it if you're studying.

AUD - NINJA in training

BEC - NINJA IN TRAINING

FAR - 74

REG - NINJA IN TRAINING

[Anonymous]

I agree with the others, there is more to accounting than the Big 4. I think a lot of schools push the Big 4 as the best because they are some of their largest donors, but there are a lot of small accounting/consulting firms that are more personal and just as good as the big firms, and could almost be better since there would be more chance for advancement.

I would suggest finding a niche in accounting (audit, tax, consulting) and focusing on that. I didn't have an undergrad degree in accounting, but while in grad school I concentrated on forensics and earned my CFE certificate. Now I have a pretty comfortable position with a small 4-person consulting company doing bank audits, and am working with the partners to create a division doing forensic accounting and fraud investigations. So there are a lot of opportunities outside the Big 4.

[MaLoTu]

As someone who does recruiting at these firms let me tell you this- 1) we don’t care what experience you have if you are applying for intern or staff 1. 2) please never ask the representative what the firm does, that is your job to know which goes with 3) be enthusiastic about the firm. If you are sociable without enthusiasm it is really hard to relate to you.
Furthermore, the top traits/skills would be the ability to learn, try to demonstrate a time you figured something out. Also, find out about the firms mission or values and try to align with it in some way or another. If they say they strive to help people figure out a situation where they did that or where someone did that for you and how it changed you in some way. These are also good tips for interviews in general.
Lastly, MTF is your preliminary interview, likened to a phone interview. You have to do all the work you would to prepare for an interview.
Good luck — it is hard. There are a lot of candidates and still very few spaces. You have to outshine the others.

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[cpa1234]

I didn't read all the posts here, so I apologize if this is repetitive. When I was applying for jobs, my MAcc GPA was higher than my undergrad, but that didn't seem to matter with the top firms. A big issue I found was I was applying to jobs in the city closer to my family on the other side of the state, rather than the city closest to my college. I spoke to advisors and they said that was probably my problem getting a job, because they considered individuals who applied from local schools first before seeking out outsiders. And if they did seek out outsiders, you had to be pretty remarkable. I finally found one job with a regional firm, the largest in a completely different state than I intended to be in. I took it and just waited for an opportunity in the city I actually wanted to be in, and left as soon as I got a new job. Maybe that is something for you to consider. Also highly recommend if your resume says an address on it not local to where you are applying, just delete it. Sometimes people forget you can easily re-locate, or they are worried you'll ask for financial help to re-locate. That was some advice I got from a recruiter.

AUD - 83
BEC - 78
FAR - 76
REG - 79

BEC: 78 (May 2017)

FAR: 76 (Oct 2017)

AUD: 83 (April 2018)

REG: 79 (June 2018)

[Nate]

From my perspective this is a blessing in disguise, I've never talked to someone who enjoyed working for a Big 4, plus they're lazy with how they recruit. Everyone in my MAcc class that got Big 4 offers went to work at the firms their mom or dad worked at, they only hire people if they know someone well inside the firm or if they owe your mom or dad a favor, that's at least my experience. I love life at my small firm, I get paid well, especially for the small and slow-paced friendly city I live in, it's very family oriented, they always tell me family first and they actually practice what they preach, my wife enjoys my coworkers/bosses cause they're friendly to her, I have amazing job security, heck I can't think of a benefit to working at a Big 4 over here besides networking for future big corp jobs and pay (but is $30k in a city like Portland that much more than in Eugene where housing is 1/3rd of the cost?). Unless your dream is to work for a big corporation like Nike, I would say give the smaller firms a chance. They're all over, you just need to search for them, since they can't afford to have a relationships with the universities you will never hear about them in school. But if you search on your state society of CPA's website you will probably find job postings from small firms looking for someone with CPA aspirations. but again, unless if you want to work for a big corp, then continue to search for a life-sucking stepping stone Big 4.

AUD: 54 (10/31/15); 83 (12/02/17)
BEC: 70 (01/31/16); 90 (07/02/17)
FAR: 73 (10/03/15); 88 (02/17/18)
REG: 83 (06/09/18)
AICPA Ethics: 91 (06/28/18)
Licensed: 08/16/18

[YouCanDoIt]

I agree with some of the posters here regarding BIG 4 not being everything.

It is true that during our time in school, its made to seem like BIG 4 is everything. My classmates in accounting classes pretty much all wanted to end up with them, and I had one friend who even got upset when I ended up with an interview with E&Y and she approached her professor to tell him why so-and-so's students were getting interviews and not his (weird, I know). Personally, when I think back on those days, it makes me chuckle, especially the competitiveness. Same thing when we are in high school, and the idea of going to college is constantly pushed (not that its bad, but there are still well to do people who pursue other routes as well). Anyway, point being that there is always going to be something or the other getting pushed in our faces more, wherever we go.

I do like your thinking though to pursue other firms even if you feel the Big4 opportunity is not open, and you can always apply later if that is truly something you desire. But in the bigger picture of things, there are always more options than what “we see.” And I am sorry I was not trying to sound philosophical or anything, lol, just wanted to say bottom line is, don't get too caught up in this whole idea of Big4 being everything, and of course, BEST OF LUCK with wherever you end up, it could end up being your best experience !!

AUD - 77
BEC - 79
FAR - 75
REG - 80

Won't know until you try.

FAR: 76
REG: Currently studying
AUD:
BEC:

[DM]

Do everything in your power to land a Big 4 job in a major city! Your salary, leadership opportunities and other comp will be MUCH greater down the road than non Big 4. If you cant land an interview right away, then get your resume higher up in the firm (i.e., PPMD). A recommendation from a PPMD will 100% get you an interview. From there it is all on you. This is how I got into Big 4 with a 2.7 GPA (yes, I probably snaked someone who had 3.5+ GPA, their loss).
Also, Big 4 firms give existing staff a bonus (up to $2,500) for referring experienced candidates. Connect with existing audit staff, express interest, send resume and then wait for a call back. Recruiters at these college events give each interview candidate 1 of 3 indicators. A square is your typical pencil pusher. A circle is an exceptional candidate. And an X is a dud (this is where I ended up). Circles will get interviews first, then Squares. Xs are thrown away in the trash. Recruiters will literally mark the back of your resume with an indicator while you talk to them.
Try to get your resume above the typical recruiting process. Skip the line! DO NOT apply directly through the firms website because this goes on permanent record (you don't want to be a prior applicant). Use a recruiter or network. Once given the interview, someone from HR will tell you to apply online after the fact. This means you will probably get the offer or are being considered. I moved to top tier bank after 4 years of Big 4 NYC audit and all experienced hires in my department have to be from Big 4 with CPA license, no exceptions. I am over 100K in total comp and bonus.

[Author]

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