Final Interviews…help please!

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    Topic
  • #177011
    shook210
    Member

    I’ve recently been interviewing for intern positions for next spring with a few public firms. This week I’ve gotten 4 calls so far for final interviews in mid to late May. I have a final interview for KPMG and I’m really nervous since it’s a 2 day interview. There is a dinner one night and the next morning a 4 hour interview. I have noooo idea how it’s going to go. The first interview went so smooth and the person interviewing me was so easy to talk to and didn’t drill me with too many questions about the firm or audit in general. I figured the final interview will be more specific and they may actually ask me some questions about audit. I am currently in my first semester of graduate school and although I’ve been a staff accountant for 2 years I don’t have any real experience in audit. I also think there may be a test of some sort.

    I assume my other final interviews will be similar to the KPMG one.

    Has anyone interviewed with them or another Big 4 in the past?

    Any help is appreciated!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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  • #408725
    FlipACoin
    Participant

    I'm curious myself. I've never interviewed big 4 but traditionally final interviews are formality interviews. Usually they just want to poke you one more time to see if you turn purple or grow a third leg. Big 4 is a different beast though. I know they are taking you out to dinner to see how you do in social situations, they want to make sure you aren't awkward, but the interview the next day I'm not sure. Who is it with? How is the four hours broken up? Is it one on one or is it panel or both? These are the things I ask myself to figure out how I need to prepare for what to expect. I've heard they hire more on stats than on knowledge since big 4 tends to train you on everything you need to do anyway. So maybe they just liked your paper skills and are just kind of bringing you back to see if personality fits? If they are purposely being vague than they definitely have some surprises in there for you. Maybe an exam or a simulation, or something like what I did one time (not big 4) where I met 20 people in five back to back four person panels. haha that was weird. I would love to hear others thoughts on this as well.

    #408726
    huskies1026
    Member

    I had a few office visits with big four firms last fall. They were different in some ways but mostly very similar.

    The dinners the night before really were no sweat, though I was just as nervous as you seem to be. It was mostly associates and a few seniors. Don't worry about dazzling them. They have very little say in whether or not you get hired. As long as you stick to polite conversation, you will have no issues. Besides that, try to get to know them. Ask them what the job is like and how they interact with each other. Ask them about their best and worst days at work. Get answers to the questions that will help you decide among firms if you get multiple offers.

    The office visits were identical across all firms. You begin the day in a conference room, where you'll be greeted by the recruiter, maybe some breakfast, and always an assortment of branded tchotchkes (pens, post-its, thumb drives; the firm I chose gave us all backpacks). After you've checked out the goodies, you'll get the spiel about [insert company name here], usually from a partner. They'll you about the history of the company and some of their bigger clients. After that, you'll have 2-3 interviews with managers and partners.

    In contrast to the first round of interviews, they will spend some time trying to sell their firm to you. However, they still are evaluating you. While everyone who gets an office visit has a good enough resume for the job, they still will have more candidates than open positions, so they have to narrow down the field. Express your strong interest in the job, and highlight the reasons why you think you'd be a good fit with the firm. Ask some questions as well. Some of the questions I asked opened up some very interesting and enlightening conversation pathways that helped them get to know me better and helped me choose among offers when the time came. At the end, make sure to get business cards from your interviewer.

    At some point, you'll go to lunch with some more associates and seniors. Once again, they have little say in whether or not you get hired. They are there for your benefit, to answer your questions. You also will get a tour of the office at some point during the day. If you have interviews left after lunch, you'll complete those. If not, you'll be shown out of the office, and you'll await their decision. The amount of time you have to wait can vary. The firm I chose called me less than an hour after I left to offer me the job. I received an offer from one firm a week after they interviewed me. Make sure you follow up within a few days with at least one of the people with whom you interviewed. Reiterate your interest, and make a final pitch. After that, just try to stay calm.

    Congrats on your second interview. I hope this post makes you feel a little less nervous and helps you prepare for the process.

    If your nerves haven't been soothed, here's a story that demonstrates just how hard it is to screw up. I was in an interview with a partner, and I asked him about his path from associate to partner. He told me about his career progression and the different offices where he had worked. Without thinking, I asked him to tell me about the Chicago office because I did my first undergrad nearby and wanted to live there at some point. Keep in mind I was interviewing for a position in a medium-size southeastern market, about 1000 miles away from Chicago. I basically told him that I wasn't long for his office if I got the job. I immediately realized my mistake and tried to correct the error. He interrupted my attempts to walk back my comment and said, “Huskies1026, [my city] is not a growing city. It's a going city. I completely understand your desire to see other, bigger places. I felt the same way when I was your age.” I was somewhat relieved but still worried that I had torpedoed my chances. An hour after I left the office, he called me to offer me the job. A week later, I called him to accept. When I told him, he jokingly responded, “What took you so long? Trying to get a better offer in Chicago?” We laughed, and he continued, “Huskies1026, we're glad to have you on board. We hope you'll be with us for a long time, but if there comes a time when you want something different, just let us know and we'll do what we can to make that happen.” Even if you make a mistake in the interview, it could work out.

    #408727
    neika822
    Participant

    I had the same experience as @huskies for my big4 second interview (for an internship). It was just an all-day affair of breakfast, conference room meeting with a partner, and then individual interviews with several managers. We also had an office tour with an associate. And then at the end of the day, we had a light stand-up dinner before we left. It wasn't too intimidating! Although I didn't get the job, so it's definitely not a slam-dunk. I'm not sure what I did wrong, either! No biggie πŸ™‚

    R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
    B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

    DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

    CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

    #408728
    shook210
    Member

    Thanks everyone for all your feedback! I am definitely more at ease after reading all of the comments. The firm is KPMG and my interview is in mid May. I'm calling it my “final” interview because I'm hoping there are not anymore rounds lol. The good thing is that I'm pretty sure I'm not awkward and after interviews my interviewee always compliments me on my personality so at least on that end I think I'm okay. Last year I had a final interview at a tax firm and it was a lunch and an office tour (didn't get the position, looking back I'm lucky, I hate tax) but it really made me feel like there must have been something I did wrong within the lunch or the tour. Also they gave me an exam which I hate when they just throw those on you. Like I said I just need to research more on the company and any news I can find within accounting just in case they want to spark up a conversation. I don't know much about auditing (application wise) except from what I've picked up in my classes so I really hope they don't ask me any auditing questions lol.

    I have 3 more final interviews after the KPMG one so I'm hoping that it will prepare me for those as well. They are not big 4 but still bigger firms within the region I live in.

    It's all just so exciting and nerve racking! One day I'm just a staff accountant working on reconciliation and closing the books the next day I have a firm like KPMG really interested in me.

    You all have been such a help!

    #408729
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I think @huskies gave you a pretty good answer. Interviewed for a KPMG internship and my day (and dinner before) were pretty much exactly how @huskies described it.

    #408730
    shook210
    Member

    Thanks @k917 i'll be sure to review @huskies post a couple times while I prepare for the interview. Should I ask about benefits (reimbursements, vacation, etc) or should I wait to allow them to tell me. I didn't talk to the recruiter from KPMG about the CPA reimbursement but another firm said they'll reimburse me up to $6000 + bonuses for passing within time frames. I want to make sure KPMG will offer at least some type of reimbursement. You said you interviewed with them…did they mention this?

    If I do get offers this will be a huge swing. The recruiter also mentioned that I would intern jan-apr 2014 but that they would give you an offer or not after your internship but they wouldnt start you full-time until fall 2015. Does this sound right? I don't think I misunderstood him. I wonder if that time off I should look for another internship or would just prepare for my cpa exam…either way I'm jumping the gun but just curious.

    πŸ™‚

    #408731
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I work at a Big 4 and when we interview they schedule a lunch with a senior and staff. At the end of the interviewing process my team gets together and provide feedback on what we thought of that person and whether or not we think you are a good fit. It might be relaxed at dinner but definitely watch what you say.

    #408732
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @shook210 – Unless that's your reason for wanting KPMG, don't worry about the CPA bonuses for now. You said you're interview is for an internship and the reimbursement/bonuses are for full-time employees, not interns, so personally I wouldn't ask about it.

    But for your knowledge, in my office (and I say that because I've heard of another office where they get something a bit different), if you passed the exam within 1 year of your full-time starting date, you get 1 round of reimbursement (1 application fee, 1 AUD, 1, BEC, 1 FAR, and 1 REG) along with a $5,000 bonus (I believe it's $5K). If you pass within 2 years of your starting date you get 1 round of reimbursement and a smaller bonus. But unless you pass that first year, you're nowhere near $6000+.

    If it takes you more than the 2 years you lose both the bonus (which makes sense to me) and the reimbursement (which I'm not happy about).

    #408733
    neika822
    Participant

    I think it's a bad idea to ask about benefits until you're offered the job! – Just my input

    R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
    B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

    DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

    CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

    #408734
    shook210
    Member

    oh yeah that makes sense. I guess because one of the firms mentioned it and was really one of their selling points I'd figured KPMG might have something to say about it too. Anyways I'm just going to do some research and go in there as relaxed and confident as I can be. The other firms have mixers weeks before the final interviews so with those I'll be more prepared I think. KPMG does not. Either I still have alot to think about whether I'd want to go into Big 4 at all the other firms are highly ranked as well (in the top 10).

    #408735
    2012passtheCPA
    Participant

    Also, if I were you I'd learn how to “eat properly” if you haven't already. You'd be surprised how many people don't know basic etiquette when it comes to eating dinner.

    If you've been to an etiquette class then my comment is beyond redundant. Good luck!

    #408736
    FlipACoin
    Participant

    Also, as a side note…in my pre-interview research I use Glassdoor.com which is VERY helpful. For those of you who haven't used it, it's basically anonymous feedback, notes about the culture/management and average salary information by company. The really valuable thing though is that they have notes on interview experiences and it has helped me plenty. I highly recommend it!

    #408737
    neika822
    Participant

    Hahaha – one of the pre-interview dinners I attended was at a hibachi restaurant. One of the intern interviewees was trying to catch the shrimp that the chef flung out and it ended up going down her shirt. REEEEEALLY embarrassing. So pray that your dinners aren't at a hibachi restaurant, and if they are, refuse to catch the flying shrimp with your mouth.

    R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
    B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

    DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

    CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

    #408738
    shook210
    Member

    @FlipACoin I've used glassdoor for salaries but never the other capabilities…I'll look into it! Seems very helpful! πŸ™‚ @neika oh noooo…there will be NO shrimp going down my shirt! The dinner will be at a members only club downtown which has a dinner area. I looked it up and it's pretty classy so I'll definitely need to make sure I'll know what I want to order ahead of time! They said the attire will be business casual so I'll prolly opt for slack or a skirt and a nice blouse.

    #408739
    neika822
    Participant

    Haha, good! Good luck! I'm sure it'll go very well, though. πŸ™‚

    R - *77*(02/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    A - 71('11); *87*(04/'13)-Becker & NINJA
    F - *76*(08/'13)-Becker & NINJA - "server upgrade" survivor
    B - 60('11); *82*(10/'13) -Becker & NINA

    DONE, DONE, AND DONE.

    CPA in Massachusetts; issued 01/24/14

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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