[redlegger]

I am trying to give my son some advice since I encouraged his accounting major. He was a 4.0 HS student and has worked his way throughout college at a law firm . He has a full tuition and some additional scholarships which will cover final two semesters his Sr. year. He was a very competitive HS Golfer and could have played in college. He is also in a national fraternity and has held some offices. I tell you all this to show he is a fairly well-rounded kid. What does he need to do to attract a Big 4 and when should that start ? The accounting program at his college is highly regarded but he attends a state university that has no national clout. His options are get his 150 hours and sit for his CPA in which case he might only need an extra semester or get in the graduate program and get a Masters in Accounting and get his extra hours that way at an additonal cost. Or graduate next spring debt free and go from there and get the CPA later.

[GoVPI]

Well I guess everyone has their own opinion, your opinion from someone who was in a frat and I'm not in one. I've been told both sides, it can help if your hiring manager has experience or knowledge with greek life and what it consists of other than the partying. All of my professor have told us unless you are one of the top members– Pres, Treasurer, VP, then leave it off the resume. It can be looked upon positively (if they were in that frat or sorority or was a brother or sister) and negatively depending on the hiring manager/company. Now, a professional business like Beta Gamma Sigma is completely different than say a frat/soro I'm thinking of.. Kappa Delta or Phi mu (I'm a girl so idk guy ones) and if he is part of that then my apologies but i was guessing he was in one of the other kinds.

BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
Graduated from college 12/13/14
AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
REG
FAR

[Mayo]

Business/Accounting fraternity > then the social version for big 4 recruiting. This is simply because accounting frats/groups have a ton more access to the firms.

@OP, your son needs to be active in recruiting and networking. Obviously, we don't know what school (it might help, but this is the internet after all). I'd say look for these opportunities:

-Meet the firm type events

-Ask the Accounting department for any scheduled recruiting events

-Ask the same from a Career Center if the school has it

-Talk to professors to network (not solely about getting a job)

-Join an on campus accounting group

-Local CPA society; most have student chapters or something similar

Good luck

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Business/Accounting fraternity > then the social version for big 4 recruiting. This is simply because accounting frats/groups have a ton more access to the firms.

@OP, your son needs to be active in recruiting and networking. Obviously, we don't know what school (it might help, but this is the internet after all). I'd say look for these opportunities:

-Meet the firm type events

-Ask the Accounting department for any scheduled recruiting events

-Ask the same from a Career Center if the school has it

-Talk to professors to network (not solely about getting a job)

-Join an on campus accounting group

-Local CPA society; most have student chapters or something similar

Good luck

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[GoVPI]

I agree with the local CPA society…. I am a student member and have met so many CPAs who have stayed locally for their careers. They have great experiences to share and give great advice. If your son mentions going to a local CPA night I bet his professors would be impressed he's trying to network. My auditing professor invited our entire class. 140 of us..

BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
Graduated from college 12/13/14
AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
REG
FAR

[GoVPI]

I agree with the local CPA society…. I am a student member and have met so many CPAs who have stayed locally for their careers. They have great experiences to share and give great advice. If your son mentions going to a local CPA night I bet his professors would be impressed he's trying to network. My auditing professor invited our entire class. 140 of us..

BEC 8/14/14 - Passed
Graduated from college 12/13/14
AUD 8/31/15 - 74. Retake - Passed
REG
FAR

[Anonymous]

Great that you are an involved parent!! And even great that your son took your advice into consideration!! I think he has a great chance at getting into the big4 with his hi GPA and his involvement on campus fraternity is only going to give him an edge!! As for your concern about his school not being on the radar, if he can somehow get to attend recruiting events where the big 4 come he shld be ok. I graduated from a state university where only 1 of the big 4 recruit from and our accounting association was only good to get face time with local and regional firms. It was handwork getting interviews from the other 3 firms as well but I managed..Its doable!!

Good luck and pls don't let others discourage you from guiding your son…Like my mom says..once a parent, always a parent.

[Anonymous]

Great that you are an involved parent!! And even great that your son took your advice into consideration!! I think he has a great chance at getting into the big4 with his hi GPA and his involvement on campus fraternity is only going to give him an edge!! As for your concern about his school not being on the radar, if he can somehow get to attend recruiting events where the big 4 come he shld be ok. I graduated from a state university where only 1 of the big 4 recruit from and our accounting association was only good to get face time with local and regional firms. It was handwork getting interviews from the other 3 firms as well but I managed..Its doable!!

Good luck and pls don't let others discourage you from guiding your son…Like my mom says..once a parent, always a parent.

[numbercruncher123]

@OP: I think your son will be A-Ok considering his high GPA and on campus involvement. I admire your concern with your son's future career as well…. I'm sure it's a parent's thing 🙂

2 Advise based on my past experience:

1) Join Accounting Society or Beta Alpha Psi (honors society for the ubber smart accounting folks). Here you'll learn more about the acctg profession and will have the chance to network with the Big 4.

2) Apply for an internship! Very important! A great resume booster and will help get your foot in the door.

I'm not sure if it's already too late for your son to apply for an internship with the Big 4 considering he only has 21 semester hours left… so I would assume it equates to 7 more classes left??? (3u/class). I believe, recruitment happens in Fall for an internship the next year. Would your son consider delaying graduation in order to obtain an internship? An internship is the surest way you could land a full time job at a Big 4 unless of course you screwed up big time during your internship.

Anyways, hope this help. Keep in mind, Big 4 is not for everyone. There are other opportunities out there for Accountants.

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[numbercruncher123]

@OP: I think your son will be A-Ok considering his high GPA and on campus involvement. I admire your concern with your son's future career as well…. I'm sure it's a parent's thing 🙂

2 Advise based on my past experience:

1) Join Accounting Society or Beta Alpha Psi (honors society for the ubber smart accounting folks). Here you'll learn more about the acctg profession and will have the chance to network with the Big 4.

2) Apply for an internship! Very important! A great resume booster and will help get your foot in the door.

I'm not sure if it's already too late for your son to apply for an internship with the Big 4 considering he only has 21 semester hours left… so I would assume it equates to 7 more classes left??? (3u/class). I believe, recruitment happens in Fall for an internship the next year. Would your son consider delaying graduation in order to obtain an internship? An internship is the surest way you could land a full time job at a Big 4 unless of course you screwed up big time during your internship.

Anyways, hope this help. Keep in mind, Big 4 is not for everyone. There are other opportunities out there for Accountants.

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[Anonymous]

Everyone else has already answered your question and since I'm not in a Big 4 firm, nor do I want to be, I have no input on that topic. But I am a Mom and I'd be doing the same thing if I were in your shoes, so Way To Go Mom! Give your kids roots and wings! Sounds like you put him on the right track. Congrats!

[Anonymous]

Everyone else has already answered your question and since I'm not in a Big 4 firm, nor do I want to be, I have no input on that topic. But I am a Mom and I'd be doing the same thing if I were in your shoes, so Way To Go Mom! Give your kids roots and wings! Sounds like you put him on the right track. Congrats!

[acamp]

I think the biggest question is if the school has a “meet the firms” type of event where the Big4 attend, or not. Really changes the nature of the recruiting. My school had such an event, but not all the Big4 attend, so I had to get creative.

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[acamp]

I think the biggest question is if the school has a “meet the firms” type of event where the Big4 attend, or not. Really changes the nature of the recruiting. My school had such an event, but not all the Big4 attend, so I had to get creative.

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

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[redlegger]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I'm a Dad who through life's lessons has learned that more information is better. I understand both sides of the comments. Having been a Greek in a fraternal organization I owe a great deal of my leadership skills and confidence to holding offices . Its not all about partying for those that were never involved. He may well be better off graduating on time and going from there , but I see other kids passing their CPA exams before they actually leave school and I would think that's a better option than trying to do it while working, just trying to figure out if a Masters really adds much and is it worth the extra expense. If you all would indulge me one more question. What is the best accounting experience if one aspires to be a future CFO.

[redlegger]

Thanks for the thoughtful responses. I'm a Dad who through life's lessons has learned that more information is better. I understand both sides of the comments. Having been a Greek in a fraternal organization I owe a great deal of my leadership skills and confidence to holding offices . Its not all about partying for those that were never involved. He may well be better off graduating on time and going from there , but I see other kids passing their CPA exams before they actually leave school and I would think that's a better option than trying to do it while working, just trying to figure out if a Masters really adds much and is it worth the extra expense. If you all would indulge me one more question. What is the best accounting experience if one aspires to be a future CFO.

[Author]

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