[ssw3809]

Hello Ninjas!

Recently I was invited for a phone interview with two of the big 4 firms for a entry level auditor position. I noticed that one of the common question they tend to ask is ” why do you choose to work for ______ “. I thought all the big 4 firms are almost identical. how should I answer this question?

any suggestion/tips is greatly appreciated

REG 08/27/2013 81
FAR 01/09/2014 88
BEC 02/27/2014 82
AUD 10/08/2014. 86
Just started the CFA Level 1 -let the journey continue!

[acamp]

Think I got asked that once out of all my interviews, I just gave some fluffy non-answer “while I see the great career opportunities all the big4 offer, I've always been drawn to FIRM NAME; I can't identify specifically, maybe you have better marketing *pause for laughter” haha bla bla bla.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

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California CPA

[acamp]

Think I got asked that once out of all my interviews, I just gave some fluffy non-answer “while I see the great career opportunities all the big4 offer, I've always been drawn to FIRM NAME; I can't identify specifically, maybe you have better marketing *pause for laughter” haha bla bla bla.

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Anonymous]

Look at their website and see what corporate responsibility projects they are involved with, and what other things they are doing as far as giving back to the community. You can find something that you can relate to and is important for you. For me it was the women's initiatives and the various programs to help women succeed and blah blah blah.. It also can be what is their strong service area/clients that might be a differentiating factor. I knew from the start of the recruiting process which firm I wanted to work for since I got to meet a lot of their ppl at various campus events and built a rapport with most of them. That really played a key role in deciding which firm to go with. At the end of the day, all 4 provide the same experience and you just need to figure out that one thing that differentiates that one firm from the others.

Hope that helps!!! Interviewing is such a tedious and tiring process!! Good luck with that. So glad its over for me, at least for now..:) hopefully!

My firm is supposed to tell me the start date any day now and I am getting a lil nervous they have not gotten back to me :-

[Anonymous]

Look at their website and see what corporate responsibility projects they are involved with, and what other things they are doing as far as giving back to the community. You can find something that you can relate to and is important for you. For me it was the women's initiatives and the various programs to help women succeed and blah blah blah.. It also can be what is their strong service area/clients that might be a differentiating factor. I knew from the start of the recruiting process which firm I wanted to work for since I got to meet a lot of their ppl at various campus events and built a rapport with most of them. That really played a key role in deciding which firm to go with. At the end of the day, all 4 provide the same experience and you just need to figure out that one thing that differentiates that one firm from the others.

Hope that helps!!! Interviewing is such a tedious and tiring process!! Good luck with that. So glad its over for me, at least for now..:) hopefully!

My firm is supposed to tell me the start date any day now and I am getting a lil nervous they have not gotten back to me :-

[mla1169]

Exactly what ayafzal said above. What they're REALLY asking is did you bother to do research on us before you came in here. Be prepared to discuss 2-3 specifics from their website as ayafzal mentioned.

Every interview question has an underlying personality objective. Even “did you find our office ok?” Obviously you did if you're there, they want to know if you're positive and upbeat or a complainer.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

Exactly what ayafzal said above. What they're REALLY asking is did you bother to do research on us before you came in here. Be prepared to discuss 2-3 specifics from their website as ayafzal mentioned.

Every interview question has an underlying personality objective. Even “did you find our office ok?” Obviously you did if you're there, they want to know if you're positive and upbeat or a complainer.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[PocketsWithCash]

ayafzal78 pretty much said everything you need to know. I asked all levels of firm representatives (associates to partners) “what distinguishes your firm from the other three big 4” and they all basically said the same thing: the people, company culture and environment of the firm are what make one big 4 firm different from another. Firm community involvement, women's initiatives, etc., and your personal interactions with firm representatives at different recruiting events are all things you can discuss

FAR 97
REG 91
AUD 5/30/14
BEC 7/11/14

[PocketsWithCash]

ayafzal78 pretty much said everything you need to know. I asked all levels of firm representatives (associates to partners) “what distinguishes your firm from the other three big 4” and they all basically said the same thing: the people, company culture and environment of the firm are what make one big 4 firm different from another. Firm community involvement, women's initiatives, etc., and your personal interactions with firm representatives at different recruiting events are all things you can discuss

FAR 97
REG 91
AUD 5/30/14
BEC 7/11/14

[ruggercpa2b]

Ayafzal78 pretty much hit the nail on the head. When I took my cousin to the Big 4 I work for a little meet and greet that is exactly what the recruiter told her they are looking for when they ask why you want to work for us.

@Ayafzal787 I feel like you and I might work for the same firm. I was just at a WIN meeting for my office not too long ago.I love it because I met a great mentor.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[ruggercpa2b]

Ayafzal78 pretty much hit the nail on the head. When I took my cousin to the Big 4 I work for a little meet and greet that is exactly what the recruiter told her they are looking for when they ask why you want to work for us.

@Ayafzal787 I feel like you and I might work for the same firm. I was just at a WIN meeting for my office not too long ago.I love it because I met a great mentor.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[ssw3809]

thank you all for the tips! I will keep everyone posted about the interview!

REG 08/27/2013 81
FAR 01/09/2014 88
BEC 02/27/2014 82
AUD 10/08/2014. 86
Just started the CFA Level 1 -let the journey continue!

[ssw3809]

thank you all for the tips! I will keep everyone posted about the interview!

REG 08/27/2013 81
FAR 01/09/2014 88
BEC 02/27/2014 82
AUD 10/08/2014. 86
Just started the CFA Level 1 -let the journey continue!

[Mayo]

kind of late to the game but random tips:

1. Focus on the comparison between your firm now and the Big 4 you're interviewing for (i.e. Training, type of clients, etc.). If you try to compare one Big 4 with another it's harder, since they're so similar.

2. If they press you on why Big 4 A versus Big 4 B, you should do some research and use these answers if applicable:

-well, I'm interested in X industry, and one of the things that drew me to Big 4 firm A was that it has a very strong

presence in X industry in Y city compared with other Big firms,

-If have contacts at the firm, mention that having people you know at the firm really helps in assessing the culture and

helping you realize you'd be a good fit. Although you know people at Big Four firms B-D, your network is strongest

with Firm A and you feel like it's the best fit.

At the end of the day, answering that the firm has a competitive advantage over the others or mentioning a stronger network are both good ways to go. Customize as necessary.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

kind of late to the game but random tips:

1. Focus on the comparison between your firm now and the Big 4 you're interviewing for (i.e. Training, type of clients, etc.). If you try to compare one Big 4 with another it's harder, since they're so similar.

2. If they press you on why Big 4 A versus Big 4 B, you should do some research and use these answers if applicable:

-well, I'm interested in X industry, and one of the things that drew me to Big 4 firm A was that it has a very strong

presence in X industry in Y city compared with other Big firms,

-If have contacts at the firm, mention that having people you know at the firm really helps in assessing the culture and

helping you realize you'd be a good fit. Although you know people at Big Four firms B-D, your network is strongest

with Firm A and you feel like it's the best fit.

At the end of the day, answering that the firm has a competitive advantage over the others or mentioning a stronger network are both good ways to go. Customize as necessary.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[fuzyfro89]

Hopefully you don't get a screwy interviewer who calls “BS” on your answer to a BS question. Others have mentioned many ways.

I like firm X's:

– … people who I've met through the recruiting process have made me feel welcome

– … people have emphasized the high level of responsibility given early

– … I like industry X and your firm is a top player in the game in Y city

– … I like your firm's commitment to X which is also something I am involved in (United Way, Boys Girls club, etc)

One way to help this question is to answer the question… and then pose it right back to the interviewer.

(them) Why do you want to work here?

(your answer) I really am interested in moving into public accounting, and have an interest in industry X (which your firm excels in) as well as your firm's support of (United Way) which I am already involved in.

(your question) Do you feel the firm has supported employee involvement in (xx) organizations? Why …

Just don't let the conversation stop by giving specific answers to questions. It makes things boring… no interviewer likes a boring candidate.

[Author]

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