[Anonymous]

I know this topic has been covered from time to time, but I am looking to jump from government to public. I know most people go the other way, but I was lucky enough to get hired with a business degree, and have worked my way through the courses, and the CPA Exam while working.

I have 3 of the 4 exams completed, and I am waiting on scores for BEC right now. I passed each of them first go around with scores in the high 80s and low 90s and I have a pretty decent GPA.

I guess I have no idea how to get the attention of a recruiter, and I’m not sure if applying on the website will get me anywhere. I am in the Chicago area, so each of the Big4 is here, its just a matter of getting their attention, and convincing them that my 3 years in government isn’t a negative.

Any advise/tips would be much appreciated!

[SuckItUp]

What's your current position/role?

[Anonymous]

I am a “grant accountant” but in all reality I am an accountant 2. Lots of entries and involvement in the month end close. I get my hands in almost everything.

[SuckItUp]

“convincing them that my 3 years in government isn’t a negative.”

I don't see worrying about this then.

Sorry as that's not a tip, but I think your work experience is a plus and NOT a negative. Besides, last time I checked, the Big 4 worked governmental. You give them a vantage point from the “other side.”

[Anonymous]

Well, I think my struggle is in the getting noticed. I don't have campus events to go to to meet directly with recruiters. I have reached out to a few on LinkedIn to no avail.

[MonsoonCandy]

Agreed that I think government experience doesn't really help with getting noticed unless you are specifically applying for their government sector.

Did your school had a career counselor that may have connections to these recruiters?

My career counselor offered to forward my resume to some of the recruiters (even though I was 1 year out of college).
But I didn't hear anything back.

Although it didn't work for me, maybe it could work for you.

Other than having people already in the B4 that will actually help you out, I am not sure what other options there are.
Some people have mentioned going to networking events like the AICPA ones.

[Mayo]

Unless you have a good resume and some serious contacts, I don't see a direct jump ever happening. Your best bet would be to go to a smaller CPA firm, and then apply as an experienced hire after 3 years in public. After which they'll just bust you donw to associate 2 anyhow.

IMO that's the best path outside of marrying someone from the Big 4 or saving a partner's life or something.

You might want to think hard if you want to take that path or not.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

That's a good thought, I could reach out to my college, they are in California though lol.

[SuckItUp]

Got a business card? If not, get one.

[Anonymous]

Well, I think everything I am hearing is everything I thought/ feared. If I was going to go public, I wanted to go big4 simply for the brand that comes with it. That's not sounding like much of an option at this point. I will follow these suggestions. Thanks for the advice everyone, I really do appreciate it.

[Author]

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