CPAnet Forum: Phone Interview with E&Y

Active Topics

Memberlist

Help

Big 4 Talk
CPAnet Forum : Big 4 Talk

Topic: Phone Interview with E&Y (

Topic Closed)

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

UDCrusader
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 22 Feb 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9

Posted: 10 Mar 2010 at 16:27 \| IP Logged

All,

First, to give yall a little background. I am a MS in Accounting student (completion November of this year) and I am also getting my MBA (completion April 2011). I work full time for a very very presitigious investment bank (technically a commercial bank now). Recently, I reached out to a very well connected friend's father. He sent my resume (along with a very complimentary recommendation) on my behalf to a few partners at big 4 firms and a few partners at regional firms. This was yesterday. Today, i was contacted by a recruiter within Ernst and Young stating she rec'd my resume from the senior partner and would like to set up a phone interview.

A few things if yall dont mind:

1) How should i prepare? The recruiter told me she wanted to go over my resume and ask a few questions. Also, told me to come with questions

2) How big of a plus is it that my resume was forwarded over by a partner?

3) Are phone interviews a good or bad sign? Im assuming a phone interview due the fact im working is the norm. I am located in the same city she is calling from so idk.

Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

ebitda
Contributor

Joined: 28 Jan 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 17:00 \| IP Logged

That's good news. Looks like networking certainly pays off sometimes, especially when Big 4 firms adamantly prefer on-campus candidates without much exception.

From my experience, it's pretty typical for first rounds to be by phone, especially when it's through networking and not through on-campus efforts. I wouldn't worry about that. Not at all a bad sign.

I've interviewed with EY and Deloitte for summer internships before, but I was not an accounting major so it was hard for me to proceed to subsequent rounds. Anyway, EY was all fit/resume questions (Deloitte was all situational/behavioral), at least for me.

Do you mind sharing what kind of experience you had at the bank? And why you would like to switch from an IB Analyst role to accounting (if you were an Analyst)?

UDCrusader
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 22 Feb 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 21:15 \| IP Logged

Thanks ebitda. I appreciate the response. Your comments were very helpful. A lot of people have said that accounting really wont really come up (technical stuff that is). Personality will be much more important.

I was actually just able to land a phone interview with KPMG as well. What helps me is that the company I work for is very very well respected.

My heart is in accounting plus where i want to eventually having the CPA and accounting background will be the most valuable. I am an analyst and asset manager for the company i work for. Does that answer your question?

ebitda
Contributor

Joined: 28 Jan 2010
Location: United States
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 61

Posted: 11 Mar 2010 at 22:28 \| IP Logged

Cool, sounds like you're at a good place. I was interested in knowing because I know a lot more people who want to switch from accounting to finance than from finance to accounting. I guess everyone has different preferences. Those financial skills will probably serve you very well down the road. I know a few people at EY's FSO (Financial Services Office), where they basically specialize in auditing financial institution clients. If you're interviewing with that group, I'm sure they'll especially love your background. But any group is good. Good luck.

gbadude
Contributor

Joined: 07 Nov 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 60

Posted: 12 Mar 2010 at 00:44 \| IP Logged

UDCrusader wrote:

1) How should i prepare? The recruiter told me she wanted to go over my resume and ask a few questions. Also, told me to come with questions

2) How big of a plus is it that my resume was forwarded over by a partner?

3) Are phone interviews a good or bad sign? Im assuming a phone interview due the fact im working is the norm. I am located in the same city she is calling from so idk

1) There really isn't that much preparation involved. Obviously research the company and what kind of values the company really emphasizes. But that's typical of any job. The interview will probably be purely behavior, especially if you're interviewing for audit. They'll ask you about your resume, so make sure you can explain what you did at your previous job.
2) Well, obviously having a partner forward you a resume is a good thing. That's probably a big reason why you got an interview. As for you getting an offer, I'm not too sure. It doesn't hurt you, that's for sure.
3) Interviews generally involve two rounds. If you're a student, the recruiters usually go to your school and do first rounds there at the career center. For you, I assume a phone interview is just a substitution for round 1 interview. If all goes well, you'll be offered for an in house interview.

Sorry, you can NOT post a reply.
This topic is closed.

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum