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Spock
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Joined: 27 Dec 2011
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Posted: 27 Dec 2011 at 00:16 \| IP Logged

Hey guys,

I always see topics and discussions on how to prepare for Big 4
interviews. Using this advice I recently acquired a tax position at
E&Y, and will be starting after I graduate in May. Since I have some
time before I start, I wanted to get some advice on how to prepare for
the actual job. I don't feel like I've gained enough knowledge in
college to be confident when I first start working. Since it's in tax, I'm
looking for any publications, readings, etc. to broaden my tax
knowledge. Any help would be appreciated. TIA!

AccountsPayable
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Joined: 13 Feb 2011
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Posts: 6

Posted: 27 Dec 2011 at 12:01 \| IP Logged

Congrats on your offer!

I was in your shoes not too long ago on the assurance
side and the best thing you can do (in my opinion of
course) is get that CPA exam out of the way. Working Big
4 hours only to look forward to studying afterwards is a
rough existence.

If you've already done that- you've done all you can do.
The Big 4 will mold you into what they need extremely
quickly through rigid protocol and long hours.

Training yourself to sit in front of a computer for ten
hours is the most applicable thing you can do at this
point...

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CanadianCPA
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Joined: 19 May 2010
Location: United States
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Posts: 554

Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 15:39 \| IP Logged

There is no way to "prepare" for a job with the Big 4. Like Accounts Paybale said, all you can do is finish up the CPA exam before you start to help make your life a bit easier.

You can read as many publications as you want, but they won't help you much until you actually get in there, start learning how things work for real (vs. in the textbook), and learn how to properly interact with clients. For now, sit back and enjoy your free time before you start!

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acaden
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Joined: 20 Feb 2011
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Posted: 30 Dec 2011 at 22:48 \| IP Logged

Keep this in mind - if you didn't know ANYTHING about
tax, or accounting, or business, but you followed last
year to every last decimal place, did every exact same
calculation, made no stupid mistakes, and ignored
everything that was different, you would be better
than a very large percentage of first year tax staff.

As a senior, I really, really don't care if you know
anything about why you're doing what you're doing.
That's my job. What I want you to do is to do all the
tedious grunt work for me and do it very
accurately.

Now, what's the best way to prepare to do this before you
start? Study the 1120 and 1065 and the corresponding
state forms carefully. Read the instructions front to
back. Understand every line and how it's calculated. If
your numbers are internally consistent from schedule to
schedule and tie to the workpapers, I promise you your
senior will be amazed at your performance.

Candidate04
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Joined: 03 Nov 2011
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Posts: 17

Posted: 03 Jan 2012 at 10:59 \| IP Logged

Not to hijack the thread but do you have any advice for securing the offer? I got the office visit for FT Tax at E&Y, but I was turned down.

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