[katiekanton]

Sorry, I couldn’t find that thread where we were talking about this. I had an interview with a recruiter yesterday and I asked about getting on at a big tax firm. She said that the reason firms are so reluctant to hire anyone older than 30 was that their experience had shown that older people couldn’t work for younger people without it hurting their egos. That is incredibly specific to each individual of course, so if you’re trying to get on at a big firm you might want to find a way to prove that won’t be a problem for you.

AUD - 88
FAR - 90
REG - 85
BEC - 88

[Ridefast600]

Congrats on the interview! Someone told me I should try to use my experience to get something higher than entry level so I wouldn't be starting with the 20-somethings. (I'm 40). Same person told me that an MST degree usually has partners from big4 as faculty, and I should use those connections to get in….that is my plan. MST starts in May for 1 year.

BEC. 81
AUD. 72, 78
REG. 87
FAR 76

After 6 long months, I AM A CPA! Good luck to all!

[Anonymous]

“their experience had shown that older people couldn't work for younger people without it hurting their egos.”

I would answer that with this.

“When I look at my paycheck, I don't care how old the person is signing it. The check is still as good.”

[Laura]

My husband is 34…he started at Big 4 at the age of 32..he had offers from 3 of the Big 4. I think an older person connects with the partner interviewing with them better than a 20 something year old.

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

@ Ridefast – off topic, but where are you getting your MST?

[Ridefast600]

University of Illinois

BEC. 81
AUD. 72, 78
REG. 87
FAR 76

After 6 long months, I AM A CPA! Good luck to all!

[Tootsie]

I am 30 and got 2 offers from big 4 firms (as a first year). It's all about networking. I think most big 4 firms like to hire their interns (or those right out of college/grad school because they have the knowledge and technical skills). There are a few of us from the 15 or 20 hired last August that are in our early 30s.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[jjm1181]

tootsie…did you have public experience prior to the Big 4 job? did you have private experience? Did you start off as a staff? I'm interested in this path since it might lead to big boy jobs later in life. I'm 30 now with only 6 years of private experience.

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[Tootsie]

@jjm1181, I was an accountant in higher education for about 4 years. I think this experience and my MAcc degree helped me to get in. Also, I was persistent with the recruiters. I was referred by big 4 alumni, recruiters, etc. I started out as staff (associate) last August. I am about to become a 2nd year associate in July. Yay!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[jjm1181]

Are they working you crazy hours right now? Do you like it? Do you plan on only staying the typical few years?

B 79
A 75
R 78
F 85

[Tootsie]

@jjm1181, no I am not working long hours. Just was from January to mid-February. I am working 8 hours/day and have an awesome senior. I like the financial services industry, specifically funds. I enjoy working in the office more than being at the client. It feels more laid back. I don't know how long I will stay. I would like to have a baby soon, after I pass the CPA exam. Hoping to pass the exam by the end of this year.

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[mrcpa]

nobody cares about age in big4 lots of older and young

Licensed - 2012

[Laura]

My husband just got home yesterday at 4:30 in the afternoon…he worked 30 hours straight. This is his second year and the first time it's happened to him. It's not uncommon to work crazy hours and I think it depends on your client as well as your team. If you are married your spouse needs to be your biggest supporter/cheerleader. The Big4 being on your resume is a HUGE boost but you guys already know that!

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm 42, I think they may hold that against me. I'm doing a career change.

Then again, I am likely not to work for the big 4 because of the lack of work-life balance. So I am looking for a firm that won't work their people to death.

[jkey57]

I'm 34 (hope to be done with the exams by fall) and this is something that's been driving me nuts! All of the big 4 career centers focus only on recent grads and those with 7-10 years of accounting experience. I also don't have a degree in ACC, which is usually the first requirement at 99% of the job posts I've seen.

I spent 8 years on an trading exchange floor, which is great experience but isn't relevant to accounting, and I'm far from a recent college grad.

I know 34 isn't old, but this career change makes me feel like I'm 64. I'm banking on the idea that when I pass all four sections, that that will help get my foot in the door.

Also, the last thing I would want is to get a Maters (I DON'T WANT MORE F'ING DEBT!!) just to get a job. I'm praying that passing the CPA will give me a chance…

[Tootsie]

@bobkorz, they don't work you to death unless you let them. Busy season should only last about a month, maybe a little longer. I've been working for about 7 months and have only worked long hours (up to 14/day) for about 4 weeks. I usually work 8 or 9 hours/day.

@jkey57, getting the CPA will definitely open doors for you, especially at a big 4 firm. Good luck!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Author]

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