[mystical guy]

I had given up on the Big 4 but my buddy told me to work at least 1 year and then quit. Anyhow, I have a job application with EY, in IT Risk Assurance, and after three weeks of having two phone interviews they asked me for a writing sample.

After talking to various people at EY, working the same job, same office, I found out that none of them were asked to provide the said writing sample online.

Anybody know anything about this?

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[thechapman]

You may be hurting yourself if employees at that office find out you are freaking out about this issue*. For the most part, I believe firms want someone willing to roll with the punches. Probably best to leave the analysis for your actual work.

*I say this because 4/5 of the top 5 threads in this particular forum were posted by you on this one issue.

Passed - 2014

[thechapman]

You may be hurting yourself if employees at that office find out you are freaking out about this issue*. For the most part, I believe firms want someone willing to roll with the punches. Probably best to leave the analysis for your actual work.

*I say this because 4/5 of the top 5 threads in this particular forum were posted by you on this one issue.

Passed - 2014

[teeteenounouche]

I am a minority so I understand where you are coming from but you have to actually get in the “game” to “play” it. If you don't get an offer from another Big 4, you should take it, you will come across discrimination in many different ways so just get in there and make a decision based on what you experience and not what others are telling you…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[teeteenounouche]

I am a minority so I understand where you are coming from but you have to actually get in the “game” to “play” it. If you don't get an offer from another Big 4, you should take it, you will come across discrimination in many different ways so just get in there and make a decision based on what you experience and not what others are telling you…

Florida:
AUD: 73, 81! Thank you Lord!
BEC: 73, 77! Thank you Lord! and WTB
REG: 71, 82! Thank you Lord! and A71
FAR: 72, 78! Thank you God and my Mommy in Heaven!

CPA Excel, Ninja Notes & Audio, Wiley Test Bank, CPAreviewforfree

[mystical guy]

@thechapman, I won't bring any issue up with EY, even though someone asked me to ask if they normally require writing samples from applicants (obviously, a bad idea.). And since I want the job badly, I thought it would be appropriate to consult people here…I got some great advice.

@teeteenounouche, I'll act dumb if that's what it takes..lol. I've worked in very racially hostile environments, like one place where someone asked me if I eat bananas for lunch, and if I live on trees….etc. I can take the punches. I just expected more from EY…since they employ so many minorities, I think 35%, and by now they should have found ways to make us feel more at ease.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@thechapman, I won't bring any issue up with EY, even though someone asked me to ask if they normally require writing samples from applicants (obviously, a bad idea.). And since I want the job badly, I thought it would be appropriate to consult people here…I got some great advice.

@teeteenounouche, I'll act dumb if that's what it takes..lol. I've worked in very racially hostile environments, like one place where someone asked me if I eat bananas for lunch, and if I live on trees….etc. I can take the punches. I just expected more from EY…since they employ so many minorities, I think 35%, and by now they should have found ways to make us feel more at ease.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[megasaurus]

I was never required to provide a writing sample when going through the interview process at any of the big 4 I interviewed with (EY included).

I wouldn't be concerned about the turnaround at all. That's par the course at a big 4. It's why they hire so many, the attrition rate is through the roof. I started with my firm 2.5yrs ago and 50% of the people I started with are gone. I don't expect more than 1 or 2 of the original group will be around at this time next year. It's just the way it goes.

Like the others said, I would provide them with whatever they ask for. The guidance (PCAOB review, AQR, etc) right now is ALL about documentation and narratives for 404 compliance. A writing sample may very well be par for the course because a good chunk of your job will be spent on documentation.

Hope that helps!

[megasaurus]

I was never required to provide a writing sample when going through the interview process at any of the big 4 I interviewed with (EY included).

I wouldn't be concerned about the turnaround at all. That's par the course at a big 4. It's why they hire so many, the attrition rate is through the roof. I started with my firm 2.5yrs ago and 50% of the people I started with are gone. I don't expect more than 1 or 2 of the original group will be around at this time next year. It's just the way it goes.

Like the others said, I would provide them with whatever they ask for. The guidance (PCAOB review, AQR, etc) right now is ALL about documentation and narratives for 404 compliance. A writing sample may very well be par for the course because a good chunk of your job will be spent on documentation.

Hope that helps!

[mystical guy]

@megasaurus

I did write the essay with the thesis, counter-argument, and a nice conclusion..etc.. I just thought to myself, “Really? You're gonna make me write an essay? After passing the CPA and having work experience…” , but now I realize that I shouldn't have complained. From what I noticed they can also make one perform some math tests, but it's very clear to me that they pick and choose whom to punish.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@megasaurus

I did write the essay with the thesis, counter-argument, and a nice conclusion..etc.. I just thought to myself, “Really? You're gonna make me write an essay? After passing the CPA and having work experience…” , but now I realize that I shouldn't have complained. From what I noticed they can also make one perform some math tests, but it's very clear to me that they pick and choose whom to punish.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mla1169]

Passing the CPA exam and having a little bit of experience (6 months temping at a fortune 500?) doesnt carry the weight you might think with employers. Ive got my CPA license and over 20 years experience and finding a job is still a challenge. I hate to tell you but unless you have big 4 experience in ITRA, youre hardly “overqualified”.

My point is a deep breath and a dose of humility would serve you well. Do yourself a favor and google writing assessment at EY. Its not unheard of at all.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Passing the CPA exam and having a little bit of experience (6 months temping at a fortune 500?) doesnt carry the weight you might think with employers. Ive got my CPA license and over 20 years experience and finding a job is still a challenge. I hate to tell you but unless you have big 4 experience in ITRA, youre hardly “overqualified”.

My point is a deep breath and a dose of humility would serve you well. Do yourself a favor and google writing assessment at EY. Its not unheard of at all.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[impska]

I think the most likely scenario is someone made a comment to the hiring manager along the lines of, “Maybe you should raise the bar on communication skills this time around. Some of the emails coming out of your department have been embarassing.”

All it takes is one bad memo and the IT consulting department becomes an embarassing run-on joke in the breakroom every day.

It really doesn't matter what other employees were asked to do during their interviews, because standards change suddenly and with little provocation.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[impska]

I think the most likely scenario is someone made a comment to the hiring manager along the lines of, “Maybe you should raise the bar on communication skills this time around. Some of the emails coming out of your department have been embarassing.”

All it takes is one bad memo and the IT consulting department becomes an embarassing run-on joke in the breakroom every day.

It really doesn't matter what other employees were asked to do during their interviews, because standards change suddenly and with little provocation.

REG - 94
BEC - 92
FAR - 92
AUD - 99

[mystical guy]

@mla1169 I forgot to mention that I also have 5.5 years in IT, prior to the Fortune 500. It's just the 6 months that are my most recent employment. I do believe I am overqualified otherwise I wouldn't be interviewing as an experienced hire for an entry-level. And yes, I Googled and read about the writing assessment. I just want to understand how they pick and choose who takes these assessments, that's why I posted this question.

@impska I thought the same thing too, but when I look at comments from job applicants as far as 2009, about 10% of them were asked to perform those writing assignments, and the rest expressed disbelief that such a thing exists. Whatever the case is, I just think knowledge is power.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Author]

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