[Anonymous]

I really need some help here. Please help me.

I don’t understand. I have a solid background (at least I think):

-GPA 3.5 in MAcc (probably 3.6 by the end of the last semester).

-Half year experience in the IRS as an individual tax return examiner and a back up lead (when the lead was out, I would be the lead. So I do have leadership experience to tell). I left this job because it’s seasonal.

-A seasonal internship in the IRS as a revenue agent (corporate tax auditor) with the exposure in dealing with Big 4 and large corporations.

-3 CPA exams passed-REG, AUD, and FAR. I failed BEC once. Yeah, who failed BEC? But I don’t think this failure is the issue.

-I have photographic memory (not those crazy kinds) so I do remember a lot of things (including the interview details I will be providing).

Here are the companies I applied (tax or audit): Deloitte, EY, BDO, Grant Thornton, Baker Tilly, CBIZ, O’connor Davies, and McGladrey.

Here are the companies that gave me internview: BDO and Baker Tilly.

I had 2nd round interview in BDO and didn’t receive an offer. Yeah, who screw the 2nd round interview right? I had the 1st round interview with Baker Tilly and was declined for a further one.

Here are the details and questions I had when I was with Baker Tilly:

Question: tell me about yourself.

Answer: I said that I was good in math, and when I found the similarity between math and accounting, I transferred the interest to accounting and started to do better and better in school; I also said that I am a highly compliant individual who has a respect for ethical code, regulations, and laws. And this quality was actually the IRS saw in me; at last I provided certain details about my communication skill.

Question: 5 year plan.

Answer: seeking another degree in master of taxation or MBA. developing a specialized skill, such as international tax, tax controversy solution, blahblahblah.

Question: why tax?

Answer: I said something about the logic in tax that is different from the one in auditing, and I just did better in tax because I fit such logic. The interviewer had both experience in tax and auditing, and totally agreed with what I said. She also provided what she had in her job in both tax and audit, which was similar to what I presented.

I gave her 3 questions:

-Whether the merger Baker Tilly had with Parentebeard would impair Baker Tilly’s core value and operating style?

-Whether Baker Tilly UK’s merger with RSM UK will be a problem for Baker Tilly International?

-if I hope to be an international tax professional, what qualities are you looking for in such candidates?

The interviewer and I have a lot of things in common actually. She lives around the IRS office I worked and we drive the same routine between office and home. She and I both have height fear so we discussed the experience we had in Toronto Tower (so many coincidences). So I really had no idea why I didn’t get the 2nd interview with Baker Tilly. Is it something bad in my answers or questions?

About the BDO. I think I probably screw it up because I mentioned several times that they are mid-size firms:

-When they asked me why not big 4, I said that opportunities to different tax field in “mid-size firms” tend to be more (this is actually what my supervisor in the IRS told me).

-When they asked me why BDO, I said that BDO may have the potential to become the Big 5 because in China, BDO breaks the big 4 pyramid, and people don’t see this situation that a “mid-size firm” out earns a large firm a lot.

-Did you apply big 4 (to be honest, I said yes). And here I felt chill because they just asked why not big 4. Maybe I should just gave a lie.

So please, help me out. I am kind desperate here.

[PurpleK]

One area where you went wrong is in your 5 year plan. You should never mention you are considering a MBA or anything not related to the position.

When I did on campus interviews while I was still at the Big 4, we considered people mentioning that they wanted to obtain additional degrees unrelated to accounting as flight risks. They were never hired.

Although some people get a MBA and still work in accounting, this is not a degree necessary to be accounting and is often viewed as a candidate hedging their future with a potential way out. The Big 4 are looking for people to stick around (even though most do not).

When asked about your 5 year plan, you should always say that you hope to rise up through the ranks with hard work and dedication and hope to be promoted to manager.

[Anonymous]

I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but I'd start to work on the English a bit. It's apparent that it's not your first language.

[waffle_house]

It seems to me you are over thinking these interviews, I see you have done your research on these firms but why are you asking questions about mergers and operating style? Dude, just ask simple questions and not make the interviewer feel dumb if they don't the answer. You are trying to get a job not pass an exam. Just relax next time and be yourself not a robot.

[Herbieherb]

@Op do you require a visa?

Are you unemployed right now?

Did you get an online degree?

Did you go to school overseas?

Did you graduate before 2014?

If yes is your answer to any of these questions then there you go.

Also some of your responses make you sound like rainman…

NEW YORK- DONE

[Kimboroni]

I agree with some of the above as possible issues. And sometimes you just don't get picked for whatever reason, even if on paper your stats look good.

I think the biggest problem at the Baker Tilly interview was the questions you asked– those are way too in-depth and also could brand you as a troublemaker. Your questions should not stump the interviewer, but reveal more about yourself and keep the conversation going. Those bring it to a screeching halt. If this is generally how you come across at interviews, then some interview training/practice may be in order, perhaps through your school or another organization.

You may just need a bit more finesse. Keep trying!

AUD 84 (1/9/14-Wiley books/TB + free materials)
FAR 83 (5/21/14-the above + NINJA 10 Pt Combo Lite)
REG 84 (7/9/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC/Notes)
BEC 76 (10/5/14-Wiley books/TB + NINJA Audio/FC)

Disclaimer: My ninja avatar is not meant to imply that I have any affiliation with this site other than being a forum member. That's a pic of a T-shirt that my daughter gave me for my birthday. 🙂

[mla1169]

Sometimes it comes down to nothing more than the fact of two similar candidates and for whatever reason one was preferred. It's a hard position to be in, choosing someone to offer a job to and having a handful that are qualified, ask and answer questions well, and are ambitious. A lot of the good qualities you see in yourself just don't come through in a 45 minute interview.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

@PurpleK

Hi there. Thank you for your reply and I am really learning from what you present. But I have one more question considering the 5 year plan. Could I say that I hope to bring at least a client in 5 years? I do have exposure to a pool of potential clients and I introduce a few to one of my law professors.

[Anonymous]

@waffle_house

You are absolutely right. I still remember the ignorant face of the interviewer when I said something about her firm in UK merged with RSM. I should have been relaxed and discussed something about my chance in her firm. Learned, and thank you.

[Anonymous]

@Herbieherb

Mostly “No”. I don't know if I am unemployed right now since I am still a student. I will be graduating by Dec 2014. Also in what parts do you feel that I am a rain man?

[Anonymous]

@billbrasskey

Look, I am here to look for help, and I am ready to accept whatever you guys have on my case. So don't worry, I will be listening. About what you mentioned, English isn't my first language. I was kind upset when I was typing the main topic so i didn't check spelling or grammar.

Thank you for your time.

[thechapman]

Some of those answers to “why _____?”, “why not big 4?”, etc probably didn't help you out

Passed - 2014

[Guti]

cycgundam, do you require a sponsorship visa to work in the US? I think that might be the main issue.

FAR-84
AUD-
REG-
BEC-

[number_cruncher_24]

You are definitely qualified, but I agree with the others on here that you might want to change the type of questions that you are asking at these interviews. I have worked for one of the CPA firms that you mentioned and I have helped with the recruiting/interviewing process. CPA firms are looking for candidates who they think will fit in with the other people at the firm and with the firm culture in general. The firm where I worked would not have hired someone who asked those type of questions as they sound too fake or robotic and would not make me think that they would fit in with the others at my firm. I think if you relax and be yourself, you will appear more human and your great qualities with show. Good luck!

[katerina2665]

i will tell you one thing: you will never ever know, why some people get hired and some dont. When i was still in college, i got an interview in a firm, which now actually is acquired by Baker Tilly. I got a second round, and it went very well, everyone (including HR) made me feel great, just to find out that two girls from my circle in college got hired and i ddnt, and believe me, i was preparing like crazy, One of my friends was senior there. She left now, just as one of the girls who was hired. I heard that even the way you look/smell/sound can be a factor between “meh,next” or “wow, im impressed”.

i also went to one of the big 4 college welcoming lectures. Had a chance to speak with an HR. When i told her, do i have a chance of getting selected for winter season? (3.75 GPA, 3 exams passed, 5 years administrative/bookkeeping experience, already graduated and ready to work) her reply was, did you have any internships, scholarships or were engaged in accounting society in college? My answers were “no, no, and no”. Yep, i ddnt get selected. I dnt care now, i did get a job which i like a lot. It took me over 4 months and many interviews to find it though.

good luck to you. You will find your spot.

[Michael]

we had a guy in my college class who passed all his exams with a 90 was a straight A student and still couldnt find a job becuase had no personal skills. Sometimes its best to dial it back and be more personable. Connect with someone on a level that isn't just accounting and show you will be a great fit with the company on a personal level.

REG - 63,74,70,81!!!
FAR - 44,73, 81!!!!
AUD - 51,81!
BEC - 73,77!!

3 years later and I'm officially done. Never give up no matter what!

[Author]

Replies