[Anonymous]

I wanted to apply to some positions I saw available (internships & entry level) and I had some questions:

1. Education section – Do people put every single college they have been to on here? I have been to 4 colleges, with the last 3 with GPA’s over 3.0, but the first one (my first year), well, it’s such a bad GPA. I don’t want to be automatically thrown out because of it.

2. Do people even get interviews if they apply online without first speaking to recruiters or getting a referral? Do you know of anyone who has gone this route and able to get an interview?

I am just so confused about the whole process of trying to get into a public accounting firm. Thanks!

[Mayo]

1. I most likely would. Many times, at least during on-campus recruiting, the recruiters will ask for full transcripts. Not sure how it is for non-internship opportunities.

2. It depends. Are you applying to their firm website, or are you applying through a campus recruiting center?

If the former, I've done it myself and never heard back. Eventually I was recruited through on campus recruiting though, so I think the website is kind of a crapshoot (depending on competition and timing)

Check out narrowingthegaap.com for some good info on the Big 4 recruiting process.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

Ashley,

I took a somewhat unconventional route to my job offer from a Big Four firm (Deloitte). Basically, I just emailed the head of HR at an office I was interested in, introducing myself and sending my resume' as an attachment. I obviously made sure the email was perfect, and she responded within a few days responding to my questions and requesting more info. After a few additional emails back and forth, she directed me to the online application. I believe taking this route helped since I already had a connection by the time I filled out the application, so I was not completely anonymous at that point.

To answer your questions more specifically:

1. I'm guessing they would want your full record, but I'm not sure.

2. I have not actually started working at Deloitte yet, but everyone else I've talked to received their job offer through campus recruiters. Are you still in college? If so, what year, and do you have Big Four recruiters at your school? If not, how long ago did you graduate?

Hope this helps!

[FindaJob]

to be honest, I was contacted by EY & BDO “yes i know its not one of the big 4!” …

But what i know is that the best way is to actually contact the Hiring managers, Be enthusiastic “if you really are” and Make sure you impress them somehow … Progress in the CPA would probably be ur best shot !

I really emailed at least 90 people … but ended up interviewing now … and i am really hopeful to actually get the position. i hope i dont screw it up in the office visit !

But Yes … Do not give up ! Just keep on emailing people ! Find their emils either via linkedin or google searches or Just ur mental abilities … “find relationships between names and emails… ” i'm not joking … stalk those recruiters until you get a job ! 😀

But i think any national firm would be a great choice … does not have to be a big 4 … I really tried with at least 25 firms of the top 100 …

two to go !

[Whatdidyou]

I also agree to not just focus on a few firms.

With that said, I know my starting class has some people who've worked in industry for about a year. So although firms primarily hire through campus they do regularly hire off of campus too.

I don't think this used to occur that often, but now realize that lots of quality candidates were not picked up in the last few years, and are a bit more flexible than they used to be.

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[Whatdidyou]

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[Anonymous]

I am not looking only at Big 4, just wanted to know about applying to them.

@CPA – I graduated in December 2011, and I think maybe 1, possibly 2 of the Big 4 do recruiting at my school. I wonder if I could still do the October recruiting?

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

[Anonymous]

I would contact Career Services at your college. They might have some connections and/or advice.

[Loaf]

im pretty sure interns all come from campus recruiting. you will probably have to show all gpa.

[See Pee A]

@Ashley: You mentioned that you graduated in Dec'11, do you mean from undergrad? Are you in a masters program now? I ask because my response will be very different if you are still a student vs. no longer in any type of school.

If still in school, you are a campus/new hire and networking during campus recruiting (mostly during fall semester) will be your key to an interview and hopefully an offer. If you are no longer in school, you won't be able to attend all the socials and such that they tend to hold for current students, so you'll have to find other ways to “get in”. I like what others have said about emailing HR. It is their job to find good employees, so if they are even slightly interested in you then they will push the process along. They may direct you soon to applying online, may try to call you and chat for a bit to get to know you a little, may invite you to lunch/dinner/drinks with some staff nearby, but at that point it's all a very nebulous process.

1. Not necessarily on your resume, but if you fill out an online application then yes (because they use this to do your background check–should you make it that far in the process). I know transfer students who don't list their previous school on their resumes but obviously can't hide that when they fill in applications. See the directions on the application. If it says “please list ALL educational institutions…”, then yes you must list them all.

2. This method will work, but you will be a faceless name and judged purely on your stats. By what you said, your stats (GPA, school, involvement, etc.) aren't bad but aren't spectacular either. By networking, someone may mention to HR, “hey I got an email from Ashley, she seems to be interested and we should check her out”. At that point HR will look for your application and then go through it. Otherwise, if there is no immediate need HR may just file applications or review them periodically. I can continue going on and on, but here's the summary… networking > not networking.

BEC 86 (08/30/11)
FAR 84 (10/13/11)
REG 88 (11/08/11)
AUD 86 (11/29/11)

Exam prep - Becker self-study

[Anonymous]

I graduated with my B.S. in December. I am no longer in school. I was thinking about going back next year as I missed the application deadlines for 2012-2013, plus I haven't taken the GMAT. My last 3 years of school were 3.0 like I said, but on my transcript from the school I graduated from, it shows a cumulative of 2.79 :(. My application will get disqualified if they automatically kick out colleges with less than 3.0. My first college (first 2 years) was a 1.71! D:

I did a networking event last week. I feel that students attend way more than people who are actually working. I did meet a few people from a large local firm, but they were pretty new to their jobs. I do wish there was more networking events through our state society here in Seattle though.

[Author]

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