[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I had a few interviews last week and have heard from one (local firm) so far. It is not my first choice but I feel like I am obligated to call them back right away to accept the offer — but then again, if I accept this one right away, I MIGHT also be offered a job from the other firms ( Moss Adams, and today, I have an interview with Deloitte) ..(or it could be the opposite and only have that local firm accept me out of all the firms I applied.

So what is the best way to deal with this?

[Minimorty]

Generally, you'll be given a certain period of time to accept. Did they give you a couple of weeks? When would you start?

You have no obligation to call them right back and accept or decline. Take your time in deciding. Ideally, you would be given an offer at Moss or Deloitte. I would probably wait until the last minute and accept the current job offer (make sure you counter for a higher starting salary), but informally keep my options open. If you haven't started the new job yet, even if you have verbally accepted, you can still bail for Moss or Deloitte.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mini! I actually called the firm just now and they are giving me A WEEK to think about it… This sucks! 🙁

[foreseeableCPA]

Tell them you have a qualified A71 member who would be gladly to take that local firm job. ME! jk.. Good Luck with the interview. I really want to work for Moss Adams, but deloitte university would be a real cool experience

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[Anonymous]

Wait the full week and accept the job if you don't hear from your first choice. If your first choice calls you 3-4 weeks later or whatever quit your current job and go work for them.

This early in the game, you have no loyalty to any of these employers. You have to look out for yourself because no one else will.

You're an “at will” employee and remember that works both ways. It's nothing personal, just business.

[nsmith9]

I work for Moss and it is a great place to work. I work in one of the smaller offices and the atmosphere is great. I have been given learning opportunities that you would never receive at big4 and local firms aren't big enough to offer. I would give them a call and see where they stand. They may give you some insight and they know who they are giving offers to in matter of days after the interviews. Sometimes the partner in charge is too busy to call you up so if you have the Senior Manager or Partner's number call. Good luck!

[foreseeableCPA]

@Anna,

I have an interview coming up this friday.. What are the questions they asked you? Im a little nervous since I just graduated college and this is make it or break it for me.

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[hellencpa]

Hi AnnaMay84, good luck with your job search. I have one q for you. What is ur job search strategy? I live in Seattle and i couldn't get a job for a while…….some people adviced me to mention that i am a CPA candidate who passed three sections…………but it didn't help so far…………..thanks in advance

[CPAforXMAS]

When I was in a similar situation, I called the firm and told them I needed more time as I was waiting to hear back from a few other firms and I needed more time to decide. The worst thing they can say is that they won't give you more time. I would never accept if you think you may just “quit” later when you hear back from say Deloitte or Moss. That is just bad karma and not a respectable action to take, in my opinion. Firms are typically understanding and they were in my situation!

AUD: 88 (5/24/2012)
REG: 88 (7/7/2012)
BEC: 80 (8/29/2012)
FAR: Fail (didn't study), Fail (sick), PRAYING! (11/14/2013)

[Minimorty]

@taylor – The down side is that it gives the perception that this company was not your first choice. If you end up taking the position anyway, you are starting off a peg down and playing catch up. You want to give off the impression that you are excited for the position and it is your first choice.

@Anna – I would wait the full week and then submit a counter proposal with an increased starting salary. That should buy you another week.

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone. I have until Friday to decide, and and STILL waiting for the other firms to call back.

@ Forseeable CPA: Here are a few Q's these firms asked me:

Tell me about yourself

Give an example of a time when you had to be a leader

Give an example of a time when you worked well with a team

What subject did you enjoy the most in Accounting

Why Accounting?

If to look back from your experience, what can you say was a moment when think you accomplished success (or something to that effect)

Strengths and weaknesses

Know your resume, they will ask you about what you did in your past job

Why did you choose this firm specifically?

What can you bring to this firm that you've gained from your previous jobs?

That's all I can remember, and of course, ask questions!

I asked and I'm crediting someone from my other post — this really stomped the Deloitte recruiter:

In what areas can your firm improve?

Biggest lesson in public accounting?

What are the challenges starting out in public accounting?

Those are just a few so add more if you can.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

[CPAforXMAS]

@Mini — right, but they expect you to have other offers, they wouldn't want you unless you're obviously a catch! I mean I told the firm I am working for that I had other offers and needed to know as soon as possible. I don't see anything wrong with it!

AUD: 88 (5/24/2012)
REG: 88 (7/7/2012)
BEC: 80 (8/29/2012)
FAR: Fail (didn't study), Fail (sick), PRAYING! (11/14/2013)

[foreseeableCPA]

@anna,

Thanks. Im going to spend the whole day rehearsing and gathering up info on the company. As far as being familiar with the firm, are there any specific areas where I should focus on. What do interviewers expect us to know? btw, just saw that moss adams didnt give me an interview. bummer. still waiting on others.

CPA - Class of 2013
CIA - Class of 2016

[Jeremy]

I agree with Taylor. Firms know that you have other interviews. Local firms know that they are likely not your first choice, which is why they tend to make offers quicker than larger firms to try and pressure you into taking the job. So it is okay to put them off. The key is how you put them off.

Don't say that you guys aren't my first choice but if I don't hear back from Deloitte then yeah I'll take the job. Tell them that you are looking for a firm that is the right fit and feel for you. That you enjoyed their firm but you have one more office visit on X day and you can let them know after that. You may or may not have another interview, but that firm probably won't know that and it gives you time to receive other offers, interviews etc. What makes it work is that you have framed your decision not around a firm but around a culture, which shows long-term commitment. Also already having an offer gives you some leverage when you are talking with other firms because you can legitimately say that I have an offer from this firm.

B- 8/13/2012- 92
A- 7/19/2012- 83
R- 5/30/2012-82
F- 7/3/2012- 90

[Anonymous]

UPDATE: Got turned down by Deloitte, boo hoo… Well I didn't really expect much.

@ forseeable: What I did was I asked myself how I want them to perceive me as– I had some sort of a “theme” to my interview. I wanted to come across as a hard-working individual who is seeking growth and just wanted to learn from the best in the industry. I found that if you memorize what you're going to say, you'll end up trying to remember what you learned and you just don't sound like yourself. Smile and be confident and KNOW that you deserve an opportunity.

[TheBsEr]

Hi Anna,

I work for one of the Big 4 and I would advise you to talk to the firms that haven't got back to you yet instead of asking for extension from the firm you already have an offer with. The reason is because there might be a high chance that you have to end up working for them, and you don't want to start off with a bad impression or give them the image that you chose them only after you found out you got rejected from the other firms.

You can politely email or call the recruiters from the other firms and see if they could provide you with a decision by the date you have to make your decision. You can tell them that you already have an offer with another firm, but you are very interested in them and that's why you are seeking for their decision to gather all information and make an “informed” decision like a good accountant should. The worst comes to worst, they reject you and you can fall back to the other firm that already accepted you and be in good terms with them.

Good luck and hope you get your first choice! 🙂

AUD - 91
FAR - 90
REG - 87
BEC - 91
Ethics - 98

[Author]

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