[AScott89]

I’ve been applying to so many public accounting positions my head is spinning. I feel like every app I put in is going into a dark hole never to be seen again. I am so anxious to get my career started, especially since the part-time job I’m working at is cutting back our hours and student loans are looming. I feel like with every week that goes by, my chances of starting my career keep dropping.

Does anyone here work in maybe Big 4 or a regional firm in NC? I’ve applied to some positions at Deloitte and KPMG but haven’t been able to get in touch with the recruiters and haven’t heard anything yet. I guess I’m kinda anxious as to whether or not my resume is good enough, especially since I’ve been out of school since May 2012. I know I don’t have any experience, but I’ll never get any if I don’t get hired. I feel like I’m losing my mind some days with the pressure I feel.

Anybody know how to get in touch with Big 4 recruiters in NC or can direct me to someone who can? LinkedIn has not been helpful to me.

Thanks guys

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[masa_inn]

“When I obtain my license I would like to begin working on my Master's in Accounting.”

Employer's POW:

“She will ask for PTO. A lot”

“I am an aspiring CPA and hope to complete all licensing requirements within the next two years.”

Employer's POW:

“Does she have a plan or is it only hope?”

Sorry if I sound harsh.

I would also change your profile picture: an interview for accounting position/attempt to get an interview = suit and business-formal look.

Good luck!

FAR
AUD 02/10/14 passed
BEC
REG

Roger, WTB, Ninja materials

[Skynet]

To the OP, I feel your pain but you have to perservere. My accounting career have been nothing but a roller coaster ride. I graduated in 2007 which was right before the worst recession ever hit. I figure, I would at least have a good chance with some AP exeprience but no. Rather, I got laid off from my AP job. Was out of work for close to two years. Landed a job in retail. Extremely Hated it. Was there for three years because I had no choice and needed to save up money. Managed to get a tax job during tax season this year before the retail job decided to SCREW me over. I'm not curently working now, but I'm busting my hump on the cpa exams. Perservere! Perservere! Perservere! I say.

My friend always tell me, the things that doesn't happen to you now just means there is something better for you in store.

[AScott89]

masa_inn: Well that's fixed now. Except for the suit. I don't own one.

Skynet: Too bad we weren't born 5-10 years earlier. We would've been in good shape. Or at least in better shape than we are now.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[masa_inn]

Ask a friend to take a picture in a fitting room. Look at the organizations that lend business attire for the interviews. You must have a suit, a nice dress shirt, and a pair of formal-looking shoes. Marshalls/TJMaxx/Ross – you can find all of these for about a hundred.

I have Master's from a semi-decent school with GPA 4.00; my undergrad GPA was one B shy of 4.00. I made too many slip ups to land a job in public. Too informal, too talkative, too shy, too cocky to overcompensate for being shy. I'm really happy I ended up in industry (more that 65 hours of work and I turn into a helpless jellyfish with 0 brain functions); but if you want a public accounting career, you gotta be sharp. Or at least fake it 🙂

FAR
AUD 02/10/14 passed
BEC
REG

Roger, WTB, Ninja materials

[nigercpa]

OP , how did you get the the entry level job posting page of KPMG on glassdoor? I have tried to submit online too, but couldn't find that on their website. Can you share the link? I pray you get your dream job fast. All the best.

Far - Passed 83
Aud - Passed 84
Bec - Passed 77
Reg- Passed 77

[AScott89]

nigercpa I found an entry-level job posted on glassdoor, clicked the link, and it brought me to the page. Here's the link to the page, best of luck to you too.

https://sjobs.brassring.com/tgwebhost/home.aspx?PartnerId=25285&SiteId=5357

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[AScott89]

Does anyone know of any regional firms with offices in NC? Or if PwC or EY post entry-level jobs anywhere?

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[wombataholic]

To add to what masa_inn said about acquiring a suit: Start hitting up all the Goodwills/Salvation Army/Thrift Stores in your area and look through the racks of suits. Eventually you'll find a diamond in the rough that can be tailored, all for a couple of bucks.

I think I was able (with my wife's help) to find about 5 suits and 8 dress shirts (including a bunch of Dillards gold label – my personal favorite) in one day by going through 4 thrift shops.

$100 later (including dropping the pants off at a tailor to be fitted), I had a new-to-me wardrobe.

tl;dr – Go to thrift shops and find a suit and shirt.

Licensed CPA
Passed each section on the first try with Ninja Notes/MCQ/Audio

[AScott89]

My mom likes to hit those stores a lot. Maybe she can find something and let me know.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[thechapman]

“Does anyone know of any regional firms with offices in NC? Or if PwC or EY post entry-level jobs anywhere?”

These are questions Google can answer. I don't know why you wouldn't try Lilla's advice…

Almost all the entry level positions are filled through previous interns campus career centers.

Passed - 2014

[AScott89]

I know chpaman. I've been googling without much success. I figured it didn't hurt to ask. I am trying Lilla's advice and contacting local single-person offices. Not much success so far but I'll keep trying.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[AScott89]

Good news everybody. I just got a call about a phone interview tomorrow. Its for a cost accountant position with a small manufacturing company about 40 miles away from me. They haven't even posted the position online so I don't know the details. Any cost accountants here who might be able to clue me in on what exactly this job might entail?

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

Good Luck!!!

[AScott89]

Thank you CPA628

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

Yes, I Iiterally walked in the door for my cold-calling. The reason for this is that it allows you to make a full impression. It's easier to tell someone on the phone “Nope” and forget about them 2 minutes later, same with a mailed resume, but when you actually talk to the person you remember them for a bit. After I got my public accounting job, I answered a few phone calls asking about jobs and replied that we had no openings and we had a few resumes mailed to us that were sent to the shredder almost immediately, but I'm pretty sure that if someone had actually stopped by and talked to us, then they would've been remembered when I was leaving the position and my boss would have reached out to them, because he hated advertising and going through the hordes that apply that way. So, maybe wait till next week when you've got a bit more spare cash, then carefully plan your route to conserve gas and start out. I understand the gas concerns because they were a concern for me too when I went cold-calling, so I looked up everyone on Google Maps and planned my trips to maximize efficiency.

For the cold-calling you don't need a suit, unless you're in a more formal area, but I have to agree with the others that a suit is really necessary for an interview. However, it doesn't have to be a $1000 suit. I paid about $30 per piece (pants and jacket) for my current suit at Fashion Bug, but it's too small now, so I've got my eye on one at Goody's that's $25 for the pants and $30 for the coat – I'm trying to lose some weight, so haven't bought one yet in hopes that I wouldn't fit it by the time I need it, but plan to buy this suit when I next need one. I think this is the pants: https://www.stagestores.com/store/product/Briggs+NY+Black+Michael+Slimming+Pants+–+Misses+/111341/ and this is the jacket: https://www.stagestores.com/store/product/Briggs+New+York®+Notch+Collar+Jacket+–+Misses/56652/ If you're like me, that's still a lot compared to what you'd normally spend on clothing, but it's worth it for a suit to get a job that will pay for it in a few hours! (At least, that's what I keep telling myself…but the fact that I'm currently suit-free means I still am playing it risky enough to be hoping they have my size in stock when I need one because without a job interview lined up, I hate spending $60 on clothing. 😐 )

[Author]

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