[Who is]

Arizona is the most notorious state where racial profiling is usually and wide-spreadly misconducted. Sorrowfully, this negative atmosphere affects local Accounting industry. The utmost example is Big 4 in Arizona. For instance, it is often viewed that Big 4 firms failed minority or foreigners who possess brilliant qualifications including CPA license, Top School graduation, Solid work Experiences at interviews. Instead, the firms hire white people who have less competitive qualification than minority: No CPA license, a few year work experience as intern, entry level at the same interview.

Is “by colour” actually superior to professionalism at work? Some white may make such excuse that they have the excellent communication skills. If so, accounting does not call on professional knowledge. The accounting will be just like customer service without requiring high standard professionalism.

I don’t look forward to my post would change everything. At least, hopefully this post evoke, to people, the needs that Arizona Big 4 should be reformed

[MIsconnie]

Why certain individuals do or do not get hired by Big 4 is anyone's guess. To make the claim that it is solely based on race without them telling you so specifically appears to be more of a stretch. Maybe particular managers have racial biases, in which case you should avoid employment in that firm altogether.

I suggest you look closer at regional firms, they actually care about you 🙂

[Who is]

@MIsconnie

As an insider, I accuse the open secret that big4 perpetrate such shame. I don't need to mingle with the problematic in order to beg jobs.

[TommyTheCat]

hs – sometimes big 4 hires people because they are cheaper, and someone with only a year or two experience as an intern and no cpa will be much cheaper than someone with several years experience and certified already.

I am currently looking to hire for a position in my tax department and i am turning way some candidates that have a couple years experience or are certified already. i am looking to fill an entry level position at an entry level price with an entry level candidate.

if you are experiencing racism from interviewing managers/seniors or witness racism directly in your application process im sorry and you should report that individual directly to the interviwing firms HR or other recruiter contact or local employment enforcement office, but be careful about throwing around blatant racism claims to a firm or office location in general.

[Tim]

I imagine language barriers cause a problem here. You can be a licensed CPA with excellent knowledge of accounting, but if you aren't well-spoken and well-written in English then that is a major problem. Communication is a big part of the profession and most likely the majority of Big 4 clients are English speaking. I know there are plenty of Hispanics/Asians/etc that have a great grasp of English, but I know there are many others who do not. A firm not hiring someone because their English is poor is not discrimination.

[Anonymous]

@tommythecat

Would a BIG 4 look at a candidate with zero to minimal experience and some or all parts of the CPA exams passed? By minimal experience i mean personal tax returns and light bookkeeping.

[Missy]

I agree racism exists but think your post has a logical fallacy. To point to minorities losing out to less qualified white candidates as an example you'd have to prove white candidates with exceptional credentials NEVER lose a position to a less qualified candidate. The fact is they do. Also credentials on paper mean far less in the hiring process than you imagine.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[mad max]

Only one person above touched on what could easily be the biggest issue here; that is language barriers and communication. OP, your writing skills seem to be average at best. This can translate over to the quality of your resume and cover letter, etc. More importantly, once you get the interview, how do you come off in person? How are your communication skills? I have a feeling there is vast room for improvement in these areas.

It's not just how you look on paper.

[KC22]

@Mad Mad. I find it ridiculous that you automatically jump into the conclusion that minorities have an issue when it comes to communication in the work place.You even go as far as to point out the OP's grammar. You just reek of arrogance!
FYI, we are talking about the accounting industry where language is not as important as in others.

FAR-83 (May 2016)

[Missy]

I'm not sure how any aspiring CPA can not understand that communication skills are HUGE in Public accounting since most positions are customer facing and, for all practical purposes considered sales.

A client can have the most precise and knowledgeable accountant on site, and if their communication skills are poor the client will without batting an eye find a new firm or at least request different staff. No firm wants a client disappointed in ANY aspect of their service.

In industry few roles are client facing and communication skills are far less weighted.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[TommyTheCat]

good points mad max. I agree.

KC22 – language is not as important as in others? Totally disagree. Communication is one of the most crucial parts of an accountants day to day, or a good one at least. I can do all kinds of fancy tax planning or come up with some fantastic modeling but if I can't communicate very clearly what it is and how it will help then all my work I have otherwise done is irrelevant.

[mad max]

Not sure why you felt the need to attack me but I will go ahead and defend myself.

you automatically jump into the conclusion that minorities have an issue when it comes to communication in the work place.

I literally never said that; you are just putting words in my mouth. I exclusively mention OP.

You even go as far as to point out the OP's grammar. You just reek of arrogance!

It's cute that you want to appear as the White Knight on this thread and come to OP's rescue, but you're not helping anyone. It's totally fine to call out my criticism, but you offer no unique point of view nor helpful advice to OP. It's not like I just decided to attack OP for the sake of being arrogant. OP literally mentions “Communication Skills” in the post and I thought it was important to draw attention to this aspect of the hiring process. I will not apologize for pointing out that the OP's writing skills have room for improvement (seriously, read the top post out loud).

FYI, we are talking about the accounting industry where language is not as important

I don't know what kind of job you have where “language is not important,” but this is simply untrue for every position I have held as an accountant. In fact, effective and efficient communications are an extremely important factor in the modern workplace, especially when communicating with non-accounting professionals. Similarly, the Written Communication section of BEC is specifically aimed at evaluating the candidate's business communication skills.

If you try to bait me out again, I will simply not respond.

[KC22]

I literally never said that; you are just putting words in my mouth. I exclusively mention OP.

The topic of the forum is about minorities in general, and by you claiming that “language barriers” is the reason behind employment decisions is alluding to my conclusion no?

I don't know what kind of job you have where “language is not important,”

I said not as important! lol if you are going to quote me please do so correctly.

I did not come to the OP's rescue. I am just calling you out on your take on the topic is all.

FAR-83 (May 2016)

[Yahmon]

@Who is as a minority myself I totally understand that there are instances where being a minority comes into place with hiring, salary, promotion etc. Take a look at how women are paid in the work place and you can definitely draw a conclusion that it not always fair. However, from your post (and this is the only thing I can use to base this conclusion) I would dare to say your grasp of the English language is not that great. It totally shows up in your writing. In accounting like in any other professional career communication is vital both written and verbal. Just look at most CEO's…it's not always the most technically smart person who becomes a CEO it is almost always the one who can articulate the company's vision and goals to outsiders.

I say all this for you to take a look at yourself and try to be better when presenting yourself. Work on your weak areas and you will be fine.

FAR 8/20/15 - Passed 77
AUD 10/10/15 -
BEC TBD
REG TBD

[Pork Flavored Bacon]

“…it is often viewed that Big 4 firms failed minority or foreigners who possess brilliant qualifications including CPA license, Top School graduation, Solid work Experiences at interviews. Instead, the firms hire white people who have less competitive qualification than minority: No CPA license, a few year work experience as intern, entry level at the same interview.”

Who is, can you actually prove any of this or is “racism” just your default when things do not go your way?

FAR - 75 | REG - 87 | AUD - 82 | LAW - 81

[ellejay]

The person stating there is a language barrier did so because the OP's post is filled with grammatical errors and poor sentence structure. My firm is minority-run and almost everyone in our office is Chinese. We will not hire anyone who makes typos on their resume or in their initial email to us.

Also, I am located in AZ.

[Author]

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