[greenolive]

I have been working as an accounting tutor at a local community college this year while I study for the CPA exam. I passed FAR and REG and feel pretty good about BEC and AUD but of course you never know!

Now I am spending all my time looking for jobs which I now realize I probably should have done a lot time ago since most jobs need experience or a recent graduate.

I really dream to get into the Big 4 as an Audit intern. I am not sure if this is just for students or not? I graduated in August 2016 with a 3.61 gpa. I have had a previous internship in tax during the busy season and liked it but as I have been looking into the difference between audit vs tax, audit seems like a good fit for me. When I look at applying at the Big 4, all of the internship and jobs seem to be for next summer or fall which is one year away. I am really confused about what to do.

Please let me know any advice and what you would recommend doing now that I have no job other than tutoring and am waiting on the score.

[jc1103]

If you've already graduated, then you should probably be aiming for full-time. It'll be a bit difficult to get a foot in the door since you already graduated and they mostly recruit from campus, but it's doable if you reach out to alumni in your network and also contact recruiters. Since you have work experience, you can also apply as an experienced hire. If anything, I've seen that a lot of seniors in Big 4 also start at mid-tiers or local accounting firms and transfer into Big 4 after a few years.

[greenolive]

My internship was only 4 months in tax at a small accounting firm, not at the big 4. Would i still be able to apply as an experienced hire for audit? I was thinking this is more for people with 1 to 2 years experience? Also, since all of the jobs are for next summer/fall, do you think there might still be openings before then? I am so nervous that I should have been doing some accounting job while I was studying the CPA but I can't go back in time!! 🙁

[Amortized and Energized]

You'd be entry level and when you get your scores back, passing the exam will be a big selling point. Make sure to let them know you passed 2 sections and are waiting on the other 2. For what it's worth, Big4 isn't the end all be all. You should be applying to mid size and smaller firms too. It may be a little late for big 4 for this year since busy season is around the corner and they'll be training new staff for the upcoming year end audits. Never say never though as they are likely just getting into it for Sept./Oct. The important thing is you get on somewhere and start gaining experience.

FAR - Aug 2015 (58), Feb 2016 (81)
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BEC - May 2016 (79)
AUD - Jul 2016
REG - Aug 2016

[greenolive]

Thank you for the advice! I know that is true that smaller firms are also great for experience! I have been applying to the smaller firms as well!

[M123]

At the level you're applying – rotations are expected. Get in on something in demand and then rotate! Start in audit not taking – try tax! Shoot for excellent reviews, excellent collaboration and teamwork and you will be poised for other opportunities. Also – check other regions within each firm. Once you have their attention – you may be able to sway them back to a local role without relocation. Is a relo an option? The key of course is to get talking to them.

Also go to every recruiting event you can. The big 4 should be around. I have to think that a lot of people travel or do other things after graduating college. Just try to get in as if you were graduating.

[Author]

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