[sarah210]

So I’m going to my school’s Meet the Firms event this afternoon. What are some good questions to ask? If you have been one of the people representing a firm, what is the kind of question you wish people would ask? Are there topics I should avoid? Should I just make small talk and not really talk about accounting that much?

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[HustlinHustlin]

I remember doing that. You aren't in Sacramento by any chance are you?

It was a really funny event. I feel like most the firms were just there to distribute promotional stuff and for the free cocktails. Avoid small talk, but remember what you want to take away from it. For me, that was finding a firm I wanted to work for, so talk to the staff, get to know everyone and what the job is like – see if it would be a good fit.

The glory of it is that it is kind of like an interview, but you can be a little more casual and ask the questions you might otherwise be afraid to with a manager or partner who is interested in you. Gather as many business cards as possible, write something memorable on the back about the people you meet, so later when you interview/apply you can refer to them and establish a personal relationship. You want these people to remember you!

I brought in my resume and had some the representing partners review it for me, which made a world of a difference when I graduated.

I didn't actually end up working for any of the firms there, but it did help me to get the position I currently have and it was good practice for networking. I went to another job fair and a few of the managers recognized me.

I don't care what anyone says networking is KEY in this industry

Look sharp, find a good suit, don't be awkward and just be a go-getter. Be the kind of person you'd want to hire in 5 years.

B 71 - 79 EXPIRED
A 69 - 75 EXPIRED
R 65 - 48 - 45
F 56 - 61 - 65 - 64

Becker, Wiley Test Bank, Wiley Text and Ninja Notes

"The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream" -311

Experience - Done, like WAAAY done.
Still need 30 more credits, in basket weaving (gotta love new CA requirements)

[LSNYC]

The tips above are great! One other tip from having been on both sides of this event is I would ask questions about the firm. What type of clients do they have what, what is the culture like, ect. I think that's what can help you decide which firm you want to work with. The basic work is similar what type of experience you are looking for can really help min picking a firm. (at least that's what really drove my choice)

I liked the idea above about writing notes on the business cards and if you really hit it off with someone send them an email later saying thank you and establishing a further connection.

A - 61, 91!!
B - 78!
F - 76!!!
R - 71, 73, 74, 69, 77!!!!

Finally done!

This is my 2nd attempt at the exam, I had two parts passed (failed many) and I stupidly quit, big mistake. Now I'm back and with a vengeance!

[sarah210]

Thanks for the great tips. I really appreciate them. I went to this last year, but didn't really know what direction I wanted to go in, so it was not a really valuable experience then. I'm hoping I'll be able to get more out of it this year.

@Hustlin– haha, no. I'm in the south. We have no booze at our school networking events.

REG- 53, 91
BEC- 88
FAR- 62, 85
AUD- 85

Ethics- 93

[Anonymous]

A lot of the time the representatives from the firms are younger/more recent hires from your college. I graduated this May and went through a few years of recruiting (accepted a FT offer with a Big 4 :D). I always liked asking how their transition was from school to working full-time, the type of training they received at the firm starting out to prepare them for work, and if they had any advice on what to accomplish before starting or what to focus on in school during our last semesters. I found it more helpful then asking the cookie cutter “who are your client” type questions that they hear from everyone.

[thefirst71]

There will be a good number of new hires such as myself there. First years and new hires will be the best people to ask honest questions about their experiences and how they attained the position. Avoid the technical and specific questions about the firms with these guys. For some of the higher ups, you might want to do some research on each firm you're interested in and ask specific, targeted questions on your findings/research. Goingconcern.com has some cool/current articles, but stay away from articles that grill the firms or have scandalous stories. If X firm has a scandal in China, then maybe you can talk to Y firm who has no scandal about auditing in china, and “recent developments with some firms overseas” and what Y firm is doing to ensure safe operations. Anyway, I'd write down a page of questions to talk about to different firms, just so you are not caught off guard when there is silence. Sometimes the convos will flow easily, sometimes not. Make sure you're ready for anything! Good luck and have fun!

[Author]

Replies