[AScott89]

For all those who work at one of the Big 4 I was wondering about the timing of their hiring. I applied to a few positions with Big 4 firms and they don’t start until next fall so I wanted to know at what time do they start interviewing for these positions? A few months in advance or farther out?

Also, these positions are for people just out of school and with no experience. But would they still be willing to hire someone who graduated two years ago and still has no public accounting experience? I am currently working part-time as a cashier at a hardware store since that’s the only position I’ve been able to get so far. I’m just nervous that they won’t even consider me even though I’m currently taking the exam and have my 150 hours already.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

Hello. I got hired by Big 4 through campus recruiting. I received first and second round interviews in the month of November, hiring for NEXT Fall. I have nothing but retail experience on my resume (i.e. no accounting internships) and was still considered and got the job offer.

[Anonymous]

Technically it can be year round due to staff shortages in certain offices. In general, fall is the big recruiting time for the next year – meaning either summer/fall/winter of the following year. Sometimes you can find positions that start in winter if you get in for the summer recruiting season, or even right after the fall season if they need actual staff and not interns. Ask the recruiter what their hiring needs are and if they are looking for anyone to start immediately. The usual start dates coincide with when most students finish their semesters, with the fall one being for kids who want to take the last summer of their lives off before they start.

[Anonymous]

I will give you my experience as a former Ernst & Young NY college recruit (albeit that was some time ago :))

Generally there are first round and second round hires. First round usually do an internship in the summer before graduation. At the end of the summer internship they are given an official “start date” which is usually 12-18 months later. I was offered a position in the summer of 07 with a start date of January 09.

The second round of new hires are usually given offers in the months leading up to their start dates. Start dates usually coincide with the start of academic semesters. Big 4 tend to hire “way out”, i.e. hiring people many months in advance of the intended start dates.

It's important to note that the above applies only for “new hires”, i.e. no experience. Professional hires are made at any point during the year when there is a need.

Hope this helps 🙂

[AScott89]

Thanks guys. So my best bet would be to try and contact a recruiter for that office and see if maybe they would consider hiring someone to start earlier or immediately? Because I could definitely do that.

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

I've heard that the Big 4's almost exclusively hire from campus recruiting; so current students.

A classmate of mine was advised from a college counselor to extend his college schedule for additional semester so that he would still have classes in that semester, hence he could participate in college recruiting because he had not found a position.

Not to be a downer about it though.

I graduated two years ago as well, and just within the past year finally found a public accounting position. Hiring for public accounting has improved because I know a few classmates who graduated with me are finding positions just recently too, so you'll find one 🙂

[Author]

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