[Wolfchicken]

Hey guys, need some advice on interviewing. I have four interviews coming up, one is local firm, two with pretty big regional firms, and one with big 4. All of these interviews come to campus where I live to interview so they are all for entry level positions. Could someone give me an idea of the kinds of questions they ask especially for a Big4 firm and regional firm? I have really struggled with interviews in the past so any kind of advice or feedback you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[vanadium3]

The type of question you really need to prep for are behavioral. Make sure you practice your stories so that way you can spin it however they ask you. Coming out of college they will likely ask tell me about a time when you took leadership/solved a problem in a group/motivated the team/etc.

Another one is tell me about the most challenging situation you had/how did you deal with a stressful time. Just search online and you will find so many sample questions. All you need is maybe 4 solid detailed stories in STAR format. situation, task, action, results. don't drag on though. Most likely people just want to know if you can work in a team and handle stress.

Are you getting recruited out of Bozeman? Just curious because the big4 I was at had a lot of MSU alumni.

CPA

[vanadium3]

The type of question you really need to prep for are behavioral. Make sure you practice your stories so that way you can spin it however they ask you. Coming out of college they will likely ask tell me about a time when you took leadership/solved a problem in a group/motivated the team/etc.

Another one is tell me about the most challenging situation you had/how did you deal with a stressful time. Just search online and you will find so many sample questions. All you need is maybe 4 solid detailed stories in STAR format. situation, task, action, results. don't drag on though. Most likely people just want to know if you can work in a team and handle stress.

Are you getting recruited out of Bozeman? Just curious because the big4 I was at had a lot of MSU alumni.

CPA

[acamp]

I posted this a while back in relation to Big4 interviews…

Remember, the interview is more about being personable than accounting knowledge (although I've heard of some interviewers asking accounting questions). I was asked lots of situational questions, about working in a team, etc. In the week or so leading up to my interviews I reviewed a lot of my large college projects to refresh the details. Having refreshed I was able to adapt some of these projects to fit their questions. They'll say something like, give me an example of a time you dealt with adversity in a group setting. Right away I was able to talk about about a project where we were developing an exit strategy for investors of a medium sized company (that was not in a position to go public), and I talked about the various ideas we had and how one group member wanted to do one thing and we had to explain that it was a little off the plane…now that group member was just tossing out an idea, and it was not adversarial in the least, but with some tweaks it got the question answered nicely.

Point is, its nice to be able to have some adaptable ammo. Completely making up a story, very difficult. Having some real stories you reshape to fit the question is nice 🙂

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

I posted this a while back in relation to Big4 interviews…

Remember, the interview is more about being personable than accounting knowledge (although I've heard of some interviewers asking accounting questions). I was asked lots of situational questions, about working in a team, etc. In the week or so leading up to my interviews I reviewed a lot of my large college projects to refresh the details. Having refreshed I was able to adapt some of these projects to fit their questions. They'll say something like, give me an example of a time you dealt with adversity in a group setting. Right away I was able to talk about about a project where we were developing an exit strategy for investors of a medium sized company (that was not in a position to go public), and I talked about the various ideas we had and how one group member wanted to do one thing and we had to explain that it was a little off the plane…now that group member was just tossing out an idea, and it was not adversarial in the least, but with some tweaks it got the question answered nicely.

Point is, its nice to be able to have some adaptable ammo. Completely making up a story, very difficult. Having some real stories you reshape to fit the question is nice 🙂

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[Wolfchicken]

Thanks for the input. @van I am a University of Montana graduate out of Missoula. I have heard that a lot of MSO and UMT students get hired from the Big 4. Hopefully I will be one of them.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[Wolfchicken]

Thanks for the input. @van I am a University of Montana graduate out of Missoula. I have heard that a lot of MSO and UMT students get hired from the Big 4. Hopefully I will be one of them.

BEC - PASS
FAR - PASS
Audit - PASS
REG - PASS

[vanadium3]

they are not hiring as much as in the past. try tax department too. they seems to be doing good. ha too bad I don't know anyone from your school to help you out. personally I wish I started at a regional firm. much more stable. just big4 sounds better.

CPA

[vanadium3]

they are not hiring as much as in the past. try tax department too. they seems to be doing good. ha too bad I don't know anyone from your school to help you out. personally I wish I started at a regional firm. much more stable. just big4 sounds better.

CPA

[lleon]

Maybe I'm late on this, but also make sure to appear confident. When you're in the waiting room, don't slouch down, cross your legs, touch your neck etc. etc. Also, during the interview, be confident and again don't make your self smaller.

Ted talk on how the right posture can change A LOT. Saying the right things and having good responses is great, but your presence and how you carry yourself has just as much say. Good luck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc

Licensed in Arizona

[lleon]

Maybe I'm late on this, but also make sure to appear confident. When you're in the waiting room, don't slouch down, cross your legs, touch your neck etc. etc. Also, during the interview, be confident and again don't make your self smaller.

Ted talk on how the right posture can change A LOT. Saying the right things and having good responses is great, but your presence and how you carry yourself has just as much say. Good luck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc

Licensed in Arizona

[kudawudashuda]

“Fake it till you make it.”

REG = 58 (02-20-13), 75 (05-01-13)
AUD = 67 (05-29-13), 79 (08-29-13)
BEC = 83 (07-31-13)
FAR = 72 (10-29-13), 69 (02-27-14), 73 (04-16-14), 81(08-13-14)

Study Materials = Becker 2013 + Wiley Online Test Bank
(75%) On my Way to a CPA (minus the experience requirement)!

[kudawudashuda]

“Fake it till you make it.”

REG = 58 (02-20-13), 75 (05-01-13)
AUD = 67 (05-29-13), 79 (08-29-13)
BEC = 83 (07-31-13)
FAR = 72 (10-29-13), 69 (02-27-14), 73 (04-16-14), 81(08-13-14)

Study Materials = Becker 2013 + Wiley Online Test Bank
(75%) On my Way to a CPA (minus the experience requirement)!

[texasman]

Prepare for behavioral questions.

As for the rest, BE YOURSELF and RELAX. Every interview where I tried too hard, wasn't being myself, or tried to be overly professional I've failed. When I'm sitting there with the attitude that the job doesn't matter I get the offers. I don't do this in a cocky way, but it relaxes me and takes off the pressure.

Think of it like a first date. Would you want a needy guy who is trying too hard?

[texasman]

Prepare for behavioral questions.

As for the rest, BE YOURSELF and RELAX. Every interview where I tried too hard, wasn't being myself, or tried to be overly professional I've failed. When I'm sitting there with the attitude that the job doesn't matter I get the offers. I don't do this in a cocky way, but it relaxes me and takes off the pressure.

Think of it like a first date. Would you want a needy guy who is trying too hard?

[whopper]

Something that helped me was to practice in the mirror interview questions. My son thought I was crazy lol but it helped me notice how much I used my hands when I talk and my facial expressions. It helped take the edge off of the actual interview because I felt more prepared and aware of my nonverbal cues. Hope this helps!

REG - 89, 04/29/13
BEC - 81, 08/06/13
FAR - 84, 12/19/13
AUD - 82, 10/05/13

[Author]

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