[Anonymous]

Without sounding like your desperate for a job. I have an open ended interview that’s kind of like a discussion and I want to get hired but don’t want to limit my options without sounding desperate. I really am fine with doing either and enjoy both.

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

Show an enthusiasm for both. Let them know that you want to learn as much as you can about every aspect of public accounting. It's not going to hurt you or make you sound desperate. On the contrary, it makes you sound eager to learn and most importantly; it gives the appearance that you want to be versatile. An employee who can balance many things is much more valuable that an employee that has one primary function.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

Show an enthusiasm for both. Let them know that you want to learn as much as you can about every aspect of public accounting. It's not going to hurt you or make you sound desperate. On the contrary, it makes you sound eager to learn and most importantly; it gives the appearance that you want to be versatile. An employee who can balance many things is much more valuable that an employee that has one primary function.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[futureCPA12]

I know that interviewers would rather a candidate have a strong preference for something, but if you're gonna go the route of “anything goes”, you need to be prepared to explain why you are interested in the multiple areas…

Usually, though, you interview for one area. So try and make a decision.

[futureCPA12]

I know that interviewers would rather a candidate have a strong preference for something, but if you're gonna go the route of “anything goes”, you need to be prepared to explain why you are interested in the multiple areas…

Usually, though, you interview for one area. So try and make a decision.

[Jennifer241]

Tell them you like diversity in the workplace, you enjoy learning new things and would like to be proficient in both to have a more well rounded knowledge base to better serve your clients.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Jennifer241]

Tell them you like diversity in the workplace, you enjoy learning new things and would like to be proficient in both to have a more well rounded knowledge base to better serve your clients.

AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

[Anonymous]

I'm with futureCPA on this one, it's probably in your best interest to make a decision and commit to an area. They usually want candidates who know what they want. If you're applying to both tax & audit positions, the recruiter will figure it out.

[Anonymous]

I'm with futureCPA on this one, it's probably in your best interest to make a decision and commit to an area. They usually want candidates who know what they want. If you're applying to both tax & audit positions, the recruiter will figure it out.

[Anonymous]

i say i prefer tax cuz i have a masters in it but im still open to audit for more exposure bla blah blah

[Anonymous]

i say i prefer tax cuz i have a masters in it but im still open to audit for more exposure bla blah blah

[Anonymous]

Well the problem is they are going to talk to me but aren't telling me about positions so I want to apply for whatever has more it's a very small firm. I was told there is more audit openings but it's approaching tax season so I have a sneaking suspicion some of the tax people left and they might be looking for tax people.

[Anonymous]

Well the problem is they are going to talk to me but aren't telling me about positions so I want to apply for whatever has more it's a very small firm. I was told there is more audit openings but it's approaching tax season so I have a sneaking suspicion some of the tax people left and they might be looking for tax people.

[Anonymous]

From my experience small firms – I've worked at 2 small firms – want you to be able to do everything – tax, audit, bookkeeping. They don't seem to track you as much as the bigger firms. So I think a more rounded approach is better.

[Anonymous]

From my experience small firms – I've worked at 2 small firms – want you to be able to do everything – tax, audit, bookkeeping. They don't seem to track you as much as the bigger firms. So I think a more rounded approach is better.

[overapplied]

As others have mentioned be able to converse knowledgeably in both areas. I have had recruiters ask me which I was more interested in. However I knew that the firms that I was applying for actually had programs in place that allowed people to experience both sides before picking a specialty. So I talked instead about how I thought it was a strength of the firm that they allowed people to experience the many facets of accounting before specializing.

Most recruiters I talk to comment on how they wonder students know for certain that they wanted to do just tax, or auditing out of school since they had yet to really do the job.

AUD - 75 - 07/06/2012
FAR - 72, 74, 82 - 05/30/2013
BEC - 84 - 01/16/2013
REG - 60ish, 84 - 08/16/2013

CISA - Passed

[Author]

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