[italianCPA]

…yeah, unfortunately college was over 10 years ago….

My brother-in-law, who’s 21, is a senior in a college in NYC (Baruch, city college, but with a respectable accounting program, Big4 definitely recruit there).

He’s an accounting major (I must have inspired him lol), 4.0 in major classes, and 3.93 overall GPA.

He will graduate in the summer.

I told him to start going to luncheons and events where Big4 recruiters or peers attend and I fixed his resume a little, but I haven’t gone through the process (never worked at a Big4) and I don’t really know how the process is.

Any tips?

He obviously doesn’t have a great deal of work experience and is not involved in many extra-curricular activities.

I know he’s good because I help him sometimes and he definitely gets it, he wants to sit for the CPA exam right after graduation (which is a good idea), but I think he should start looking for a big4 job now to start in a year (and he lives in NYC so there’s definitely no shortage of accounting jobs).

Thanks!

FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
REG - 10/15/10 - 95

[kennethc524]

the big 4 will seek candidates from those MAC program. basically the more prestigous the grad school is, the larger percentage of the class will be able to get into the big 4. Like FIU has 30% while UNC Chapel hill has like 70%.

[potatogun]

Didn't OP just say he was a senior? Masters in accounting don't matter unless it is your way into big4 because you didn't get in as an undergrad. Masters in Tax is different.

Your brother in law should be networking. Frankly his 4.0 wont mean anything if he doesn't seem to show a well rounded personality and involvement in things.

If he is a senior is a bit late for the normal cycle…but he should reach out to recruiters at his school, but that should be obvious to him I hope? Or maybe FT recruiting at his school isn't until winter, but as far as I know FT recruiting is wrapped up in CA.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[italianCPA]

yeh, he spoke to a Deloitte recruiter two weeks ago at an event and she told him FT recruitment starts in the spring semester, so he still has some time.

Plus, I think we'll both take a MS in Taxation part-time. My new employer in NYC will pay for it and he thinks it's a good idea to do it with me,

I'm moving back to NYC on Sunday (which sucks cuz it was almost 80 degrees in LA today and it's in the 20s in NYC), will start on Monday at a public accounting firm. Never say never guys!

FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
REG - 10/15/10 - 95

[potatogun]

Oh hey italianCPA, didn't notice it was you asking. If the Deloitte recruiter said it wasn't FT recruiting season yet, then he has time. But he should use that time right now to really get networking.

If he really wants to pursue tax a masters in tax may be good, but it isn't necessary to get into big4. If he has the opportunity I would recommend starting with a big4 if he can and try and get some tuition reimbursement if he is going to do a part time program…or just leave the big4 and come back if it seems worth it.

FAR 92 - AUD 91 - REG 94 - BEC 86

[Anonymous]

italianCPA – I am with you! I just moved back to NYC from San Francisco last week and it is cold…

I actually attended Baruch (finance not accounting) at it's reasonably respected in the NY area. As long as your brother-in-law interviews well and shows he can be client facing, he has a good shot. I'm a former Big 4 tax accountant.

[Aldog]

I just got out of school as an acocunting major and was offered a job at PwC only bcasue of “who you know” reasons…basically anyone who got an actual “job” with the big4 either knows someone up-top or has had an internship…Honestly, its going to be VERY difficult given he doesnt have any experience, not even internships?? Id say his best bet si to try to apply for an internship with all 4 of them for the summer after graduation and hopefully do well enough to get hried come september/october..being a realist here, the big 4 was SO competetive and I interviewed at 3 of the 4-it was a crazy process and there were so many a-typical “4.0” kids there with 3 years experience working in an office…make sure he has something to offer along the lines of personality to sue to his advantage since im guessing hi resume is pretty blank-also, reach out to your network if your 10 yrs out, odds are you know someone working there, that will be his biggest aid for sure

good luck

201, NJ
FAR-75, AUD-82, BEC-82, REG-84 - CPAldog Official (well almost, hard parts over though!!!!!!!)

[italianCPA]

I know a couple of partners at PwC because they audited my F/S where I used to work.

Will try that.

FAR - 7/26/10 - 95
AUD - 8/10/10 - 88
BEC - 8/31/10 - 88
REG - 10/15/10 - 95

[Author]

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