[jeff]

A local Beta Alpha Psi chapter had asked me to speak about the CPA Exam next week.

I wanted to share some Big 4 interview tips from people who have “been there”.

Any help is appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Research the internet and compile the longest list of interview questions as possible. This includes the basic, typical interview questions (e.g., What are your strengths and weaknesses) and behavioral/situational questions (e.g., Tell me about a time when you showed integrity).

Then formulate an answer for each individual question. As you work on that list of questions, you'll start to realize that one answer can be applied to multiple questions. It's all about adapting several answers to an even larger number of questions, so nothing in the interview can catch you off guard.

Lastly, practice those questions. Maybe ask a friend to go over some of the questions on your list and see how you respond. Don't exactly memorize answers verbatim, but get to the point where it becomes comfortable. To deliver the answers extemporaneously is key to a good impression.

(Hmm working on questions… kind of sounds like studying for the CPA…)

[ScruffMcGruff]

I think I've pointed out a lot of these tips before on these forums, but I will consolidate them here:

– Be prepared for a multi-round interview, which is usually 3 stages.

Stage 1 = On campus interview with regular staff level employee and/or HR rep. If the B4 firm is not recruiting on your campus, you will likely start at Stage 2.

Stage 2 = Phone interview with a higher up employee (manager or maybe even a partner)

Stage 3 = On site interview. Will usually last more than a day. In my experience, I came in on a Thursday evening and had dinner with a wide range of employees (from entry level all the way up to partner). The next day was the actual interview.

– For ‘Stage 3', be prepared to be interviewed by MULTIPLE people at MULTIPLE levels within the company. I personally had an interview with a senior auditor, a manager and a partner. Although you might think the interview with the partner would be the most technical (and/or ‘hardest'), its really the other way around from my experience. The partner really is just trying to get a sense of your personality. They don't really care all that much what is on your resume at this point in the recruiting chain, they just want to know if your personality would fit in with their team and/or company. In fact, in my interview with a partner, I literally came in, talked with him for about 5 minutes and then he just went off telling a random story for like 20 minutes and then he's like “Oh shit, this interview is almost over already!”. We laughed our asses off, and I'm pretty sure I destroyed that interview (even though I didn't really do anything).

On the other hand, the lower level employees like the senior auditors or managers are going to ask more technical questions which might throw you off. While the seniors are also looking for someone with a good personality, they are also looking for someone who would be technically proficient at their job (due to the fact that if the new hire is a moron and gets assigned to their team, they will end up with a bunch of extra work to do, not the partner).

– Again, kind of bumping off the other points… B4 firms are looking for people who are SOCIAL by nature (obviously due to the fact that the B4 revolve around client services and communicating with the client). You need to show during your interview (especially in the earlier stages) that you're a well rounded person.

– Pretty general interview note, but always know a bit about the company you're interviewing. In particular for a B4 position like auditing, have in mind what industries you might like to go into (Financial Services, Manufacturing, Insurance, ect..). Obviously if you know the type of industry the interviewer is, try to show some interest in that area (as long as it doesn't look like you're obviously bs'ing them…). You really need try to make a contact out of one (or more) of your interviewers. For better or worse,B4 firms are kind of like a club. If someone in the club knows you, you will have a much better chance of getting in than if you are an unknown.

– Hopefully if you're going into a B4 interview, you know that you will be worked like a dog for the first few years doing grunt work for your team. With this being said, try to make sure you bring something up that sort of relates to this (you're a hard worker, have a good work ethic, you're a team player, you know you will be working long hours and are ready to meet that challenge, ect..)

– Adding onto the last point… You really need to know going into your interviews if this is going to be the type of job/lifestyle you want to lead for the foreseeable future. Yes, the pay and benefits are pretty good, but is it really worth it? Depending on what team/client you get assigned to, you will probably be working 45-50 hours minimum during the regular portion of the year, and then 55-60 hours minimum during busy season (which can last 3-5 months depending on how many and what type of clients you have), as well as working Saturdays. I have not been with my B4 firm for very long, but what I can tell you so far is that it's one hell of a grind. Add into the equation having a family/kids, studying for the CPA, trying to have any sort of a social life… I can't imagine how some people are able to do it.

* I'll add more as I think of them

AUD - 85
FAR - 78 (lol@ FAR Sims)
REG - 85
BEC - August

[jeff]

Thank you Scruff!

[I just love this]

Stand up in phone interview so you sound more confident and project better.

Be very, VERY prepared for the behavioral questions, “Tell me a time you had to … ” “Give me an example of when you …”

Those type of questions seem to be heavily used in big four interviews, particularly phone interviews/screeners.

Make a pitch/share examples of your leadership experience and ability to work in a team as those are chief attributes the recruiters seem to be looking for.

Be very careful to listen well, let the recruiter talk more if they take that role, and never interrupt.

When they ask an open-ended behavioral question, don't just answer it in a few sentences. People don't trust quiet people! Spend like 5 minutes or maybe even more if appropriate to paint the picture. Use the S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task given, Action pursued, Result from your decision). Describe the situation and you're thought process.

Say thanks and smile to the point that it is almost awkward.

If you make them laugh, that is a big bonus.

Lastly, one of the best nuggets of advice I've ever received about Big 4 interviewing, especially at the second round/office visit stage: They want to see an easy going, friendly, professional person that they can get along with when they work with them for 14 hours a day during busy season.

REG- Waiting 7/1/13
BEC- Waiting 7/23/13
AUD- Studying 8/12/13
FAR- Signed up 10/1/13
Studying with CPAExcel and Wiley Test Bank.

[Mayo]

Remember, ANY firm social function is also an interview. Even if only associates or seniors are there, they're asked for input afterwards.

Like someone already mentioned, be social and show you can fit in with the firm and culture.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[porschify]

Always be positive, and always speak looking towards the future. If you made a mistake in the past show how you learned from it, and it was a positive experience for you. Alot of the interviews were not just like asking questions, but speaking to you about everyday things, and being able to be engaged into a conversation with another person. Just like Mayo said, social functions are always interviews, they would have us go to the events and see how candidates interacted with other people, and if they did something to make a fool out of themselves (drank to much, “showed off”, etc) we would report back to management about the ordeals.

REG- 81
BEC- 72,76
AUD- 67,88
FAR- 78

Done!

[Anonymous]

Enthusiasm will get you everywhere.

[mgoloubenko]

A lot of the posters about have covered the technical interview techniques but I'd also like to mention the soft skills that are involved. When it's finally interview time, a candidates resume has obviously passed the first round and the interviewer sees the candidates at having an equal chances before the interview begins. My recommendations are as follows:

1) Dress sharply, I don't mean flashy or anything ridiculous but the first thing that a recruiter will judge is how you present yourself and I've seen a lot of people look disheveled before an interview with ill fitting clothes, etc. One of my personal experiences was that one of my intern friends came into my engagement for a few days to help with some extra paper work. He was not yet an official intern but would be in the following year. He was veryyyyy well dressed and professional. After he had left, my engagement team commented on how well he had presented himself and said that they would recruit him to be next years intern, even though all he had really done was file some papers. Attire makes a huge difference.

2) Try to find any personal connection that you have with an interviewer. Since accounting is based on working in groups and your resume already proves you are qualified, it is important to convince the person that you are easy to talk to and generally the type of person they would want on their own engagement. I had a really tough interviewer that I really couldn't read but through our small talk we discovered we had the same birthday and after that we both felt much more at ease. Even though I wasn't sure how he had rated me since he was so hard to read, I was actually recruited onto his engagement team when I interned!

3) Don't forget your manners. Listen carefully and answer the question asked instead of going off on tangents.Send a thank you e-mail/ note to your interviewers. ALSO, remember the names of your previous interviewers because your next one may ask who you met with and it will look really good on your part if you remember.

4) When I interviewed there was an individual that took half the day off of work to show me to the different interview rooms and would ask how it went etc. If someone is being paid by the firm to show you around, believe me they have a say in your interview input and are judging how composed you are, how you talk about your interviewers after you leave the room. Same thing goes for a group lunch after your interview, they are watching. 🙂

FAR 4/9/12- PASSED
BEC 7/13/12- PASSED
AUD 8/16/12- Ughhh 71, Rematch: 90!!!
REG-12/6/12 PASSED

USC MAcc- Fight on!

They say good things come to those who wait, but only those things that are left by those who hustle.

[Mrs 300]

I actually helped with recruiting at PwC for a couple of years.

By the way – the advice you've received already is awesome.

I just want to add that eye contact and confidence cannot be stressed enough. I had a partner that did not recruit someone further simply because in the candidates first interview he did not maintain eye contact.

Also, if you meet with the staff during your interview, it is important to treat them with the utmost respect as well. Just because they aren't a partner or senior manager/director, it doesn't mean that they don't have a lot of clout when it comes to choosing your fate. The staff are the people whose opinion matters the most; they will determine whether you fit in or not and they will be communicating that to the uppers.

Send a thank you note after the interview. E-mail is appropriate. Be careful on sending hand-written notes because a lot or people do not check their mail at the office (trust me – none of us did). When you send an e-mail to your interviewer that is well-written and kind, people will talk positively about it.

REG - 80 (Becker only)
BEC - 76 (Becker only)
AUD - 71, 76 (Becker only)
FAR - 65, 74, 81! (Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Ninja notes & Audio)

CPA Class of 2012 🙂

[hua052011]

Hi

This topic help me a lot in developing my project. I will contribute more when I finished it.

[Author]

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