[Ralphie Dos Nachos]

Hi guys,

I’m really trying to get into the big 4 and I wanted to take the cheap route and do 30 extra credits at community college instead of go for a masters. Would they look down on this?

[ewalt]

From work experience with internships at the big four and other firms- No.

All they care about is that CPA license. The rest is history. This is coming from two of the big four and various other friends of mine that have went this route.

[Anonymous]

Are you recruiting through a four-year program, or do you have personal connections that could help you get your foot in the door with big four recruiting? It seems to me like the large firms primarily fill entry-level positions through on-campus recruiting. I assume this is not because they “look down on” people who choose another route, but because it's far more practical and efficient for them.

[ultrarunner]

I agree with @kittenpants. I did all my accounting units from CC and went for Masters. Masters helped me to get an entry-level job in large firms. But when you choose a Masters, please make sure that the school is heavily targeted by the large firms.

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[Recked]

Hey there OHMSS, fellow NY'er here.
About an hour north of you, I used to go down to Nanuet/Spring Valley area often to visit friends.

I feel like if you didn't already land an internship at Big 4 while you were doing your bachelors you are already behind the rest of the field.
I'll repeat what was stated above. They seem to recruit direct from big schools, so unless you have another in, you might have a hard time.
I'd start working on it now, and if you don't get anywhere through the normal recruiting process you can find a Big4 target school to enroll to get your Macc.

Where did you do your undergrad?

[Anonymous]

No, but they do care about whether you'll have 150 credit hours by the date you start full-time with the firm, if you did an internship. If you didn't do an internship with them, it still doesn't matter where you get your remaining credit hours for 150.

[Ralphie Dos Nachos]

@Recked , would you have an e-mail I could reach out to you with? thanks

[aaronmo]

I haven't applied/spoken with any big 4s since getting my license, but my accounting background was community college, and I got no traction in conversations with mid-size companies, let alone big 4…even with exams passed.

I think a Masters is worth it…especially short term…if only for the career fair access and networking. If you're going to spend the time on the material, get the degree reward. I say this as having gone your proposed route.

I have my CPA and still want a masters.

Agree strongly with recked regarding internships BTW

[Author]

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