[reggedup44]

Hello,

I am supposed to be starting for a Big 4 Firm in August as an Assurance associate, and for what ever reason they waited until about two weeks ago to begin the background check process for me. I have a couple of concerns, and I guess I’m looking for reassurance so I can get back to studying for my CPA and stop stressing! Haha.

1) I have a couple of blemishes on my criminal history record, but I only disclosed one per the instructions on the background check application. It said “please do not include any charges that were dismissed, expunged, or referred to any diversionary or pretrial intervention programs”.

I have only one guilty plea on my record, one diversionary program that was expunged, and one summary offense from Pennsylvania that was eventually dismissed.

Maybe I already answered my own question, but would it be a good idea to go back and disclose the summary offense?

2) I am worried that one of my employers won’t check out. It was not a job that required a W2 or anything like that, I performed internet research for different organizations and sent in a corresponding excel sheet. I would only receive credit if somebody had not already submitted the same job (there were hundreds of us, and we would all just pick from a list). I believe I only received credit for one or two, and I can’t remember if I ever got paid. I had it on my resume because I did perform the research, not necessarily getting paid, and I felt it gave me strong talking points in an interview. I have numerous email conversations with this company and even some completed excel sheets still saved, should this be an issue.

Will this be a problem?

Thank you!

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[vvSPAZvv]

@reggedup44

I think you should be OK, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you disclose it, they might ask you about it and that'd be it. However, if you do not disclose it and they find that out, they may feel like you were holding out on them.

BTW: Where are you starting at in August?

FAR - 76! 10/15; (65) 7/15
BEC - 82! 11/15; (74) 8/15
AUD - 01/16
REG - TBA

[reggedup44]

@vvSPAZvv

Starting with PWC. I always stress about the background check due to the criminal history, so when I get the job offer I know not to be too excited…

However, it was a dream come true to get this offer and I have to admit I would be devastated if they rescinded.

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[vvSPAZvv]

I understand. I wouldn't get super stressed over it.

Worry about the exam and crush that. That way they can't hold anything against you even if they were thinking about it 😉

FAR - 76! 10/15; (65) 7/15
BEC - 82! 11/15; (74) 8/15
AUD - 01/16
REG - TBA

[reggedup44]

thank you! haha doing my best

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[joes2122]

I am in a similar position as you except I start at a different big four in late September. I have charges that were dismissed that I was worrying about showing up. Did you get an email that stated which background company they use? For instance, I got an email on what company they used, and then went to that company's website and I was able to run a background check on myself. The cost depends on what kind of search you do, but it did give me piece of mind. I have heard stories about dismissed charges showing up, so I needed the piece of mind before I even got the background questionnaire.

If you don't mind me asking, what all did they require from you? Did you have to send in official transcripts? Or anything else besides the background questionnaire? I am just trying to know if I should order transcripts from my college as the process usually takes a few weeks.

I am sure you will be fine on the criminal search and I am sure they won't really care about a small job like the one you described.

[Vern -No what I mean]

You have the right to receive a copy of the background check they send to the firm. I would request that and be in contact with the HR representative or hiring manager right away once it comes back so you can discuss the results in the event they have an issue.

Don't leave this up to chance. Get in front of it soon so that when a question does come up, you can talk your way through it with the firm.

AUD - 90
FAR - 71, 76
REG - 75
BEC - 76 (bubble sucks)

Becker + Ninja MCQ's

[reggedup44]

do you guys think i should contact them about the dismissed charge? the background form specifically said not to disclose dismissed charges, and to only disclose felony/misdemeanors. this was just a summary (citation) which in PA can only be found by looking through the docket portal online, and there's a big disclaimer at the bottom that says that the documents in the portal CANNOT be used in employer background screenings per Pennsylvania law.

do you really think they would even find it? and if they do, would they even disclose it to PWC since they only asked for disclosures about felonies/misdemeanors/convictions?

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[reggedup44]

@joes2122

the company is called Business Information Group. I didn't even think about running a check about myself! that's brilliant. i always thought that these companies don't do individual checks, and only offer large contracts to employers.

As I said, they said not to even disclose any charge that is dismissed, and to only include felony/misdemeanor convictions.

ALSO you guys should know: I disclosed a disorderly persons offense in new jersey for marijuana possession. Technically New Jersey has no misdemeanor classification, DP offenses are the closest thing, and every attorney is quick to point out that it is not a crime in NJ. However, it still had me in handcuffs and a possible consequence was jail time, so I'd equate it to a misdemeanor.

Anyway, I disclosed it on the application, and BIG emailed me saying they were having trouble researching the charge and asked me to provide them with the case number and court name!!!

This leads me to believe that, had I not disclosed it, they wouldn't have even been able to find out about it. I'd still recommend disclosing it, since, as you all point out, it's better to say you were honest about it than to try to cover it up. But in this case, it looks like I got screwed for doing the right thing.

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[reggedup44]

@joes2122

To answer your college transcript question, I think that depends on your college. Unbeknownst to me, my college does not release transcripts to third parties, and BIG contacted me to ask my university for an official transcript to be sent to them.

If your college is like mine, expect an email from the background company, and you can just go from there. If not, they'll just handle it themselves. I wouldn't worry about this too much.

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[reggedup44]

Received the following email from PWC:

Dear reggedup44,

This email is to confirm that your background check was successfully completed on 07/10/2015.

If you have any questions regarding your background investigation, please contact PwC's US Security background screening team at………

Welcome to PwC!

Sincerely,

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Does this mean I'm all clear, or does this just mean they received the info from the third party?

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[Ntw6817]

That definitely sounds like you're all clear. Especially when they welcome you.

[Art Van Delay]

in most states, employers may only ask about *convictions*. an arrest that does not lead to a conviction will not show up on most employer background checks. they're looking to see if you're some convicted felon or if you've been in trouble with financial regulators. they're not going to see expunged records or dismissed cases. expunged means it's expunged – nobody can see it. if it's dismissed, you were not found guilty of doing anything wrong. this is america; you are presumed innocent.

if you want piece of mind, pay a few bucks and run a BG check on yourself.

if they can't validate a prior employer, they'll ask you for some kind of alternative proof — or they'll just toss it because that's not really that important if it's a very old employer and the job duties aren't really pertinent to your current role.

as far as the credit check component – an employer credit check is different than a creditor credit check. they are not given the same information. an employer credit check is substantially reduced in scope. they don't even get a numerical score. they're basically just looking to see if you have multiple bankruptcies and potentially a risk on that end.

when it comes to disclosure – very simple. only disclose what is being asked. never volunteer more information than necessary. limit your liability son!

if they say, disclose any convictions – disclose any convictions. don't tell them about the time you were arrested as a teenager and subsequently dismissed. that isn't what they asked.

lastly, if they say your bg check was complete – you're set. they'd tell you if there was an issue.

[reggedup44]

so you guys think this means that they've already signed off on it, not just that they'll review it now that BIG sent them the info?

if so, then that's such peace of mind!

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[Art Van Delay]

it was completed successfully, welcome to PwC. enjoy your 2-4 years of hell before you move out of big 4 into something else!

[reggedup44]

@Art Van Delay

I've always wanted to be an architect… maybe I'll just tell people I'm an architect!

Jokes aside, romantically I like the idea of the possibility of working in many different regions in the world with different clients, and the possibility of one day making partner.

We'll see how it goes. I have a friend that works at Nomora that offered for me to come on as investment banker after a few years. Salary is huge but there's no work life balance.

Reg- July 15, 2015
AUD- TBA
BEC- TBA
FAR- TBA

[Author]

Replies