[Pete]

Hello,

I was wondering if you guys thought it worthwhile for me to attend my Alma matter for 1 grad-school class (next year)? I can then claim I’m getting my MBA to rely upon on-campus recruiting.

This job search has been beyond disastrous. I want to get into audit, but it seems that the only way to land a relatively junior audit gig is through on campus recruiting.

I have multiple contacts, within multiple firms, but quite a few people, including HR individuals, have told me that outside of campus recruiting, it’s incredibly difficult to get into a mid+ tiered firm outside of the standard pipeline. I’m also involved with my states CPA board.

I’m currently sitting on the CPA exam and will soon have the CFE exam, yet I can’t seem to break into this field. I should have the 150 credit hours by this December as well. A headhunter, who I really like, is surprised at the firms for not even considering me, despite how close to tax season it is (even the small ones want a ton of experience); i’m hoping firms continue to get more desperate as things draw on.

My only other option is to work at a small firm, doing primarily taxes, then hopefully do a few audits in the meantime to get the experience.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Anonymous]

I think you will have better options once you complete the 150 and finish the exams. I don't think spending that kinda money to possibly land a job is worth it. Have you considered updating your resume or having someone review it? Maybe practice interviewing skills? I can't tell you the reason why your not having luck but the above are my recommendations.

[Pete]

I've passed the CPA exam already. Hopefully, this weekend, I'll have the CFE exam passed as well. Any other exams to make myself more competitive?

Already had someone from E&Y review my resume and am currently having a career professional outplacement specialist, who used to work at E&Y, review it as well.

Definitely think I'll have to practice interviewing as well (as i'm not a very social person-just surprised to see people less social than myself, get jobs); the problem is that I haven't been able to land a single public accounting interview in over a year. At the last interview at a firm for an internship, last year, I was told that I interviewed extremely well, which actually surprised me, but they stated they wanted someone with progressing management achievement within their career (for an internship-go figure).

I guess I Just need to macro my networking more.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Anonymous]

The problem with claiming to be working on your MBA when you really are not may be that they decide to hire you after graduation. Or if they note that you are working on your MBA and later HR follows up with you on where you are with completing your MBA.

I do not think that firms are only hiring campus hires. I was 5 years out of school when I landed a job in audit with a Big 4. It took me a little over a year of interviewing and applying before anyone actually paid attention. I would apply to some experienced hire positions online if you see any and hope that you get lucky. A lot of firms hired at least last year to fill this upcoming busy season. I know I have seen firms already looking to fill the Fall 2017 starting classes.

If you have the opportunity to get in with a small firm then that is what I would do. Some experience is better than none. Or even finding an accounting job in industry and then transitioning to audit later with working experience. I think everyone gets so hung up on getting into public accounting that they are blinded from looking at other opportunities.

I spent 5 years in industry and then made the switch to public accounting.

[Pete]

Curious, how did you land that job?

I've been working in accounting for a small company for the past 6 year, but it's such a small company that I just can't advance.

I've currently been reaching out to multiple partners non-stop, yet I just can't seem to break into anything. I mean, maybe it's more effective to just apply through the company's website; everyone always states networking as the best method (perhaps it's not though).

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Missy]

What's the success rate for your alma mater with campus recruitment placement? If only 6 out of 100 land something no it's not worth it. If 8 out of ten do, may be worth the gamble.

Old timer,  A71'er since 2010.

Finance manager/HR manager

 

 

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

[Anonymous]

I applied to openings that fit my skill set. I also signed up for Linkedin's one month for free and looked up openings at each accounting firm. I was able to find recruiters that way and send them messages. I had them review my resume to see if they had openings that would be a good fit for me based on my experience. Their feedback helped me quite a bit. Another thing I did was look at the different roles I would see that were entry level/experienced hire and tailored my resume to highlight the experience I had that would help me in that role. I also networked. I reached out to colleagues that I worked with that had gone on to public accounting and got their feedback on how the experience we had from our previous job translated over to public accounting.

It took me almost a year and half before I got something.

[aaronmo]

I'm going through some of this too…and I'm doing tax instead of audit because of it. In retrospect, yes! It's probably very worthwhile. Keep in mind that these recruiters are talking to some of these kids from their freshman year forward, so it's still not a perfect fix.

AUD - 96
BEC - 84
FAR - 89
REG - 86

Aaron and always remember, YMMV

I profit from your CPE frustration. You're welcome.

[Pete]

MLA,
I think the overall odds of landing a BIG 4/large regional firm are likely below 10% at my school, but this is due to the fact, a great deal of people, who fall below the GPA minimum apply (3.5 now probably); I would imagine the actual interviews to job ratio is probably near 10-20%. I would be curious of the actual stats; i'm sure the school has them, just doesn't release them.

Should I aim to reach out to recruiters or partners? I would think the recruiter would tend to screen you out while a partner would end up be a better contact, since they end up making the hiring decisions.

It's nearly impossible to get people to spend 10-20 minutes on the phone with me. These other people are probably just so busy trying to keep their own jobs in this economy.

B=84 This exam was such a b**** that I thought I failed-don't know how these things work
A=76 Slacker I am, I'll happily take it
R=81 I LOVE taxes
F=80 I don't wanna get banned for an expletive I'm thinking with "yea" proceeding it

[Author]

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