[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone,

As usual, I’m freaking out about something haha I have an on-site interview with a Big 4 in two weeks! We have the pre-interview dinner the night before. Can people please share their experiences? Also, what % of people from the on-site interviews get offers?

I have a problem too…I started at another firm a month ago. I jumped the gun and accepted an offer but then landed an on-site interview with Big 4. I’m currently at a regional firm. How should I address that during the interview? My resume will show that I’ve been there a month. The recruiter knows my situation so I’m hoping the partners do too. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[kmaahs]

Not sure how professional leaving a firm after a month or two is….its not super easy for them to replace you outside of recruiting season and they have wasted thousands on you in training. The accounting world really isn't as big as you might think. You will run into these people again…

Personally, I'd grind out a year or two at the regional before you try to transition out…

That's just my .02 though…

C.P.A.

[kmaahs]

Not sure how professional leaving a firm after a month or two is….its not super easy for them to replace you outside of recruiting season and they have wasted thousands on you in training. The accounting world really isn't as big as you might think. You will run into these people again…

Personally, I'd grind out a year or two at the regional before you try to transition out…

That's just my .02 though…

C.P.A.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input kmaahs. It's a unique situation… I took the offer at the regional firm b/c it's what I wanted. I wasn't actively looking for a new position. Apparently, my old boss was at this firm and put in a good word for me before I left. The recruiter called me to tell me I have an on-site visit. The recruiter knows of my situation. My concern is how do I present this to the partners during the interview…

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input kmaahs. It's a unique situation… I took the offer at the regional firm b/c it's what I wanted. I wasn't actively looking for a new position. Apparently, my old boss was at this firm and put in a good word for me before I left. The recruiter called me to tell me I have an on-site visit. The recruiter knows of my situation. My concern is how do I present this to the partners during the interview…

[Anonymous]

And my old boss stuck their neck out to get me this interview

[Anonymous]

And my old boss stuck their neck out to get me this interview

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

Is a difficult decision, according to what you want to experience.

Personally, I would speak honestly to the B4 firm and I would say that I had the other offer before knowing I could have the opportunity to talk to them. I would expose why I'm a good candidate and I would emphasize my professional attitude saying that because of my commitment with the other firm, I would need few weeks to leave everything in order in case they wanted to hire me.

Also, don't be discouraged if the B4 is highly selective, once you get experience in the small firm, you have even bigger chances to go to the B4 market, meantime you gain experience (let's say, a year or something) and you finish your CPA.

So, later you will be receiving e-mails from Big4 (personal experience).

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

Is a difficult decision, according to what you want to experience.

Personally, I would speak honestly to the B4 firm and I would say that I had the other offer before knowing I could have the opportunity to talk to them. I would expose why I'm a good candidate and I would emphasize my professional attitude saying that because of my commitment with the other firm, I would need few weeks to leave everything in order in case they wanted to hire me.

Also, don't be discouraged if the B4 is highly selective, once you get experience in the small firm, you have even bigger chances to go to the B4 market, meantime you gain experience (let's say, a year or something) and you finish your CPA.

So, later you will be receiving e-mails from Big4 (personal experience).

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Whats the pay/benefits/work life balance like

[Anonymous]

Whats the pay/benefits/work life balance like

[JY]

The best thing would have been not to tell the recruiter and partner that you are currently working at the regional firm. Any experience less than 3 month is not worth talking about..Having said that, if I have to address the issue, I would probably go along the line of that I am just starting out at the regional firm. I am still on probation, which gives me an opportunity to find out more about the regional firm as well as an opportunity for them to get to know me better. I want to keep my options open while I am trying out with the regional firm…etc. You want to focus on why you want to switch to the big 4, the reasons of which should be pretty obvious to you.

REG: 86 8/3/13
BEC: 85 8/31/13
FAR: 87 10/27/13
AUD: 90 11/30/13

[JY]

The best thing would have been not to tell the recruiter and partner that you are currently working at the regional firm. Any experience less than 3 month is not worth talking about..Having said that, if I have to address the issue, I would probably go along the line of that I am just starting out at the regional firm. I am still on probation, which gives me an opportunity to find out more about the regional firm as well as an opportunity for them to get to know me better. I want to keep my options open while I am trying out with the regional firm…etc. You want to focus on why you want to switch to the big 4, the reasons of which should be pretty obvious to you.

REG: 86 8/3/13
BEC: 85 8/31/13
FAR: 87 10/27/13
AUD: 90 11/30/13

[Anonymous]

Hi!

I personally wouldn't worry about it to much,

The truth is, if you are honest with the Big4 about your current job, and show that you are professional saying that you need a time to quit if they hire you, they will see you as a good candidate.

Also, if the Big4 is really hiring other students, once that you get experience in the small firm, the Big4 will look for YOU (personal experience).

So, be professional, and don't disregard the experience you can get in the small firm, you can stay there 1 year or maybe not, if the Big4 is really interested in you!

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Hi!

I personally wouldn't worry about it to much,

The truth is, if you are honest with the Big4 about your current job, and show that you are professional saying that you need a time to quit if they hire you, they will see you as a good candidate.

Also, if the Big4 is really hiring other students, once that you get experience in the small firm, the Big4 will look for YOU (personal experience).

So, be professional, and don't disregard the experience you can get in the small firm, you can stay there 1 year or maybe not, if the Big4 is really interested in you!

Good luck!

[wannabeCPA123]

I was told after being hired at big 4 firm that 80-90% of second round interviewees are given offers.

FAR 78
REG 87
BEC 78
AUD 78
Passed all exams on first try! Good luck to everyone!

[Author]

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