Master's student with a CPA cannot get a Big 4 entry-level position, need help! - Page 4

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #189466
    Lunchboxx
    Member

    Hello current and future CPAs!

    I never thought I would have to write this post, but I am freaking out about not having a full time offer lined up. During this semester I attended my large University’s career fair and applied at 5 companies(the big 4 and 1 mid-size firms) for a spring(January) 2015 start date audit position. Out of the 5, only one of the big 4 firms followed up and offered me an interview. After the first interview, I was declined the office visit.

    I just couldn’t understand why all my applications failed, I am about to graduate with a Master’s of Accountancy in December with a very high GPA(3.85) and high passing CPA scores(see below). I also completed a successful internship at a mid-sized firm (I did not enjoy the firm that I did my internship at). I was also in my school’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter for 2 years(a huge plus at our school).

    After my failed interview, I reached out to my interviewer and asked him what could have went wrong. He told me that during the interview I appeared nervous(this did not make sense to me). During the interview, I recalled myself being mostly confident and answering the interview questions very intelligently. To be honest, I feel as if the interviewers reason was complete BS and there was another underline reason for me not getting the job(such as the firm needing a diversity hire, the Partner’s son getting the job over me or a really attractive girl interviewed for the same job as me).

    This angers me because I feel as if I’m one of the most qualified candidates out there. Compared to my peers, I have one of the highest GPAs, I am the only one with passing CPA scores, and I have an outgoing personality. Yet, people with low GPAs with no hope of getting a CPA(that look up to me) have full-time offers and I don’t.

    Based on the experience that I described to you guys, can you guys shed some light as to why I cannot seem to get a job?

    Sorry if I seem critical, but I am extremely furious that all my hard work doesn’t seem to be paying off 🙁

    AUD - 93
    REG - 96
    BEC - 92
    FAR - 90

    Done!

Viewing 7 replies - 46 through 52 (of 52 total)
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  • #614374
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Don't feel bad people get rejected all the time. I have a 3.1 GPA so the big 4 was automatically out. Interviewed with 3 mid-sized firms. Only ONE called me back for an office visit. (Which is tomorrow). I thought the other 2 went very well but still got rejected. I'm tempted to send a nice email and ask what I did wrong. But I'm not sure if that would be professional. It really does suck seeing other people get multiple offers and having there pick. And then others not getting any. It's especially hard when that person has a high GPA, exams passed, and extra curricular activities under there belt. Keep trying your not in this alone!

    #614375
    cool_kid
    Participant

    Jillybeans, thats a good point and I was actually thinking about that the other day. I've had 1 interview with a big four and 1 with a national firm and I haven't been able to get an office interview for either one. With recruiting season almost coming to an end and most people starting their second round of interviews, it seems like a position in public accounting won't happen for now and I'm thinking I'd have to consider applying to industry jobs during the spring. How is the recruiting for industry compared to public accounting though? Is it just as competitive?

    #614376
    taxman89
    Participant

    “How is the recruiting for industry compared to public accounting though?”

    its much less cyclical. in my experience (and i went right into industry), they only hire when they have openings (promotion or creating a new position) so there isnt really a “hiring season” like there is for big 4.

    Also, going straight to industry is not that bad of a career path at all. if you get a job with a fortune 500 company you usually start at a higher salary than big 4 (i started about 25% higher than big 4 in our area) and the hours are better (tho my may-sept15 was a solid 65-75/wk).

    Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
    Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
    Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
    Far-78 1x easiest section

    #614377
    TNCPA16
    Participant

    I second taxman89 – it's definitely not cyclical and when there are openings, is usually for one or two spots, not multiple like you see with public accounting.

    I wouldn't say it's as competitive as public accounting, though. Yes, you are usually competing for one position vs multiple, but the people you are competing with aren't always the cream of the crop. For public accounting positions, you are competing with the best of the best, because everyone wants to go public. Industry (and I’m generalizing here), you are really competing against yourself. We are recruiting for a Staff Internal Auditor and I can count on one hand the number of “good” resumes that we’ve received. If you have a good resume and we bring you in for an interview, at that point, it’s really your job to lose. We aren’t going to interview 20 people, and then select a few for second interviews, and then hire someone. The first good person who comes along who we all like will get the job. If you have a good resume and good personality, you will probably have an easier time getting a job in industry than in public accounting.

    #614378
    cool_kid
    Participant

    That makes sense, thanks taxman89 and Jilly Beans. I suppose I should start looking now then.

    #614379
    taxman89
    Participant

    oh and dont go into the interview with the attitude that “well i tried to get into big 4 but i couldnt so i have to settle for you guys”. have some bs answer ready as to why industry (and specifically that company) is better than big 4 and why it gives you way more opportunity than big 4. In every interview i have had i was asked why i didnt go into big 4 (i have a legit reason but you def need a good answer). and btw. “i like the work life balance of industry” is a bad answer….that translates to “i am lazy” lol

    Aud-75 3x I knew i never liked you
    Bec-77 1x being in the bubble is stressful
    Reg-82 4x its not me its you...and no we cant be friends
    Far-78 1x easiest section

    #614380
    TNCPA16
    Participant

    YES! Exactly taxman89! And don't go into the interview with the attitude of “I'm desperate for a job, any job, so you'll do.” You should have a legit reason for wanting to work at that company in that position. There are 2 questions I always ask in interviews: why do you want to work in internal audit? And why do you want to work for this company? More than one person has responded with “well, I'm just looking for any job accounting related.” Those are always short interviews.

Viewing 7 replies - 46 through 52 (of 52 total)
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