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Subject Topic: Don’t give up! (Topic Closed Topic Closed) Post ReplyPost New Topic
  
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gbadude
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Joined: 07 Nov 2009
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Posted: 07 Nov 2009 at 13:36 | IP Logged  

Hey guys, first off, I wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I've been lurking around the boards for a while now, and it's very really helpful reading other people's experiences and answers.

Secondly, I just wanted to say it's still very possible to get into the Big 4, even in this economy. And definitely continue to be persistent and not feel discouraged during the recruiting process. I went to over 8 or 9 first round interviews, and only received one 2nd round. It's rough times right now, but don't take it personally and don't start doubting yourself.

My best advice to anyone trying to get into the Big 4 is get to know yourself and be confident about what you have to offer. Think long term A lot of people can do the entry level work, but it's about long term investments. Big 4 is looking to hire someone that have potential to  be managers and partners, NOT someone to handle the grunt work.

Anyways I just wanted to tell anyone to not give up, and I can answer any questions as far as the interview process, advice, or my personal experience recruiting. But just lending a helping hand because I know how tough it is right now.
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soc09
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Posted: 09 Nov 2009 at 14:47 | IP Logged  

Are you an officer at Accounting society? Or do you have cool extracurricular activies? How big is the market where you live?
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gbadude
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Posted: 09 Nov 2009 at 16:12 | IP Logged  

soc09 wrote:
Are you an officer at Accounting society? Or do you have cool extracurricular activies? How big is the market where you live?


I wasn't in any extracurricular activities. But I did have a decent amount of work experience. I had an accounting internship in private sector, a sales job and an administrative assistant job over the course of almost two years. I'm not quite sure what Accounting Society is like, but I marketed myself as someone that was very well rounded. A lot of the communication and people skills that I acquired through my previous employment would make me successful in the long run. As for the market, yeah it's a huge market. I applied positions in the Los Angeles area, so probably a bigger market than most places.
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runnercpa88
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Posted: 09 Nov 2009 at 16:51 | IP Logged  

gbadude wrote:


I wasn't in any extracurricular activities. But I did have a decent amount of work experience. I had an accounting internship in private sector, a sales job and an administrative assistant job over the course of almost two years. I'm not quite sure what Accounting Society is like, but I marketed myself as someone that was very well rounded. A lot of the communication and people skills that I acquired through my previous employment would make me successful in the long run. As for the market, yeah it's a huge market. I applied positions in the Los Angeles area, so probably a bigger market than most places. [/QUOTE]

Hi gbadude,
May I ask are you still in school or have you graduated? I have graduated with both an MS in Accounting, an MBA and have recently passed the CPA Exams. I also have accounting experience in the industry. However, with all of the above I cannot get an interview with any of the Big 4. I do not mind starting as an intern but they said that I do not qualify since I am no longer in school. Do you have any other suggestions? Please help. Thanks in advance.
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gbadude
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Posted: 09 Nov 2009 at 19:06 | IP Logged  

runnercpa88 wrote:

Hi gbadude,
May I ask are you still in school or have you graduated? I have graduated with both an MS in Accounting, an MBA and have recently passed the CPA Exams. I also have accounting experience in the industry. However, with all of the above I cannot get an interview with any of the Big 4. I do not mind starting as an intern but they said that I do not qualify since I am no longer in school. Do you have any other suggestions? Please help. Thanks in advance.


I'm finishing undergrad this year (actually this semester, graduating a semester early), so i definitely lucked out because they recruit heavily from my school. But I have heard of people graduating, getting a couple years of work experience in private accounting, and get into the Big 4. One of the associates that I met at PwC went through that route, so I think it's definitely very possible.

You might want to try getting hired as an experienced hire. I'm pretty sure you would be overqualified for an internship, and maybe even entry level associate. Here's the website for PwC

http://www.pwc.com/us/en/careers/experienced/index.jhtml

I'm pretty sure there is something similar for all the Big 4.

Edit: K I don't know why it's not letting me properly link it, but that's the link
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