[Anonymous]

Hi friends,

For the purpose of getting an internship, just wondering how difficult it is to get into a Big4 office in places like Chicago? I really wanna go into tax services with a Big4 firm in Chicago. I know it is competitive, but no idea how competitive it gets when you have your MAcc (from a less-known public school) and CPA exam all passed. Thanks much for answering!

[CPA_Runner]

Sorry for the delay, ClimbMt.CPA. Yes, I did get it. Never give up-I've gotten rejected a billion times by companies of all shapes and sizes, but if you have a dream and a vision you can do anything. Kmaahs was right on.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.”-Wayne Gretzky

“I've failed over and over and over again and that's why I succeed.”-Michael Jordan

Two if my favorite quotes! And yes is from a CHICAGO LEGEND! (The Bulls could really use him right now…)

AUD - 80 (05/23/2012)
FAR - 75 (08/09/2012)
BEC - 81 (12/05/2012)
REG - 71 (10/16/2012); 70 (02/12/2013); 78 (04/08/2013)
Ethics - 98

[Anonymous]

@kmaahs:

Thanks for the encouragement and tips! I will definitely start networking once I am done with the exam. I will give it a shot at Chicago. You are so right about it if I do not even try, it is me denying myself in the first place. Although I like Chicago very much, I am willing to go wherever my career is taking me.

[Anonymous]

@CPA_Runner:

I completely agree with you. Bulls could really use Michael right now!! They will do better soon if not by the end of this season, but next season for sure. I have faith in them. I need to have faith in myself too..lol definitely not going to give up even before trying. Thanks for the support!

[Anonymous]

bump…Please offer your advise, thanks!

[stag]

CPAngel is right. Submit your resume and applications to Big4 if that's where you want to work. Although their hiring cycle is still couple months off, it doesn't hurt to start now. When they say they will keep your resume on file, they actually do. I got my interviews with Big4 firms roughly 6 months after I applied. I thought I had no hope since I didn't hear from them for months. Then out of the blue, I got emails telling me to come in for office interviews (weird that I didn't receive on campus interview, since most of the people that were there with me doing office interviews all went through first round interview on campus. You got to be proactive.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[Anonymous]

@stag

Thanks for the advise! I have submitted couple applications online, but I havent heard anything back yet. I am still in school, and all my applications were submitted through campus recruiting. I am not sure if firms will even take a look at the online applications since they normally go to campus to meet university candidates in person. Did you apply through campus hire or experienced hire, cuz that may make a lot of difference in online applications. Thanks!

[stag]

I did it through campus career center, but I was told to also apply through Big 4 firm's own website. I don't know through which path I was hired, but I did not get any interview on campus. But going through school's career center is a good bet. Taking a part time job in accounting field will also help. Getting internship from Big 4 might be tougher for you since they only want juniors usually.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[Anonymous]

@ stag

Thanks for the follow-up. Ideally, I'd love to start a full-time career after graduating. The reason I am looking for an internship is that most firms hire full-time employees directly from their internship programs. An internship would give me a chance to prove myself to the firm, and let the firm evaluate my performance and potential before extending a full-time offer. I am not sure if that makes sense, but that is what I assume an internship is for.

[Anonymous]

Hey ClimbCPA,

Did you apply to any places in Chicago yet? I am thinking about going to Chicago also, not sure how to get hooked up though. I am in Milwaukee.

[Anonymous]

@ AMNeverGiveUp

haven't really applied to any specific firms or positions yet. Just emailed 2 persons who work at two Big4 firms there, but haven't heard anything back.

[Anonymous]

BUMP…as recruiting season looms, help please!

[Anonymous]

@ClimbMt

i think you ll hear more from recruiters when september hits. once you get done with reg and do just as good as the other 3 you have done, you got much better chance than the rest of us. if you are not getting hired, i dont know who else companies are gonna hire. your scores speak for themselves. keep up the good work!

[oanab]

@ClimbMt.CPA I work for a Big4 firm and one piece of advice I can give you is to network, network, network. Get to know the recruiters and go to as many networking events as possible. If you have any friends at the Big4 in Chicago, contact them and keep in touch with them, go to happy hours in the city. Personal recommendations are very powerful.

Another thing that I noticed in my office is that even if you intern in one city, you can easily transfer to a different city after you receive your full-time offer. Lastly, when you meet with the recruiters or anybody in the firm, don't be too humble….you have some great achievements down your belt and they should know that.

Good luck with your search and the last exam!

[Anonymous]

@oanab

Thank you for your advice and tips. I ll keep them in mind and start getting ready for the recruiting season. I try not to undersell myself, but at the same time, I am afraid I might cross the line and oversell myself. I am still working on presenting myself truly and learning how to control my nerves.

[Anonymous]

I came out of Northern Illinois, and interviewed with all the Big 4. While it is true that they recruit highly from campus talent and hire full time out of that, turnover is incredibly high.

Go for it! Know that Deloitte and Ernst have incredibly tough interviews, and be fully prepared. I would also look to go to some job fairs at big campuses. I know NIU has one at the Convocation Center that usually is visited by PWC.

Also, from peers I can tell you that sign on bonuses for CPAs are usually only eligible if you have been with the firm for the full exam. (Or signed an offer before starting)

[Author]

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