[mystical guy]

I was just wondering if there’s anyone here with some experience working for the Big 4 in ITRA (IT Risk Asssurance)?

How was the interview process like? Did you have a phone interview with a Senior Manager or onsite?

What advice would you give someone trying to get in and survive?

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[maxspiderx]

Not really Big 4, but I did interview for Grant Thornton's IT Audit.

Applied through school's career center. Phone interview, on-campus 1st round, and the usual super day at the office. Almost every interview have been very laid back, with questions ranging from conversational to behavioral. Not a single question about IT from any of the interviewers. However I did get grilled by one of the managers who apparently had a degree in Philosophy and asked me a bunch of philosophical questions. That's where I lost my nerve and stuttered alot, which explains why I didn't get the job.

I am sure the process will be very similar at Big 4. They aren't really out to test your technical background knowledge. because this falls under the Advisory line, they mainly want to see how you would interact with clients. I have met people who transferred from pure financial audit over to IT audit. So I think as long as you can hold a conversation and won't crack under pressure, you will do fine.

[maxspiderx]

Not really Big 4, but I did interview for Grant Thornton's IT Audit.

Applied through school's career center. Phone interview, on-campus 1st round, and the usual super day at the office. Almost every interview have been very laid back, with questions ranging from conversational to behavioral. Not a single question about IT from any of the interviewers. However I did get grilled by one of the managers who apparently had a degree in Philosophy and asked me a bunch of philosophical questions. That's where I lost my nerve and stuttered alot, which explains why I didn't get the job.

I am sure the process will be very similar at Big 4. They aren't really out to test your technical background knowledge. because this falls under the Advisory line, they mainly want to see how you would interact with clients. I have met people who transferred from pure financial audit over to IT audit. So I think as long as you can hold a conversation and won't crack under pressure, you will do fine.

[Anonymous]

I interned last summer at a large market big 4 in the “Risk Assurance” practice. I had a great experience and was lucky enough to receive a full-time offer, which I accepted.

My recruiting experience occured as an undergraduate during my business school's typical fall cycle. My initial interview with the firm was conducted via phone with HR. About a week later I was invited to an office visit where I interviewed with a Manager, Senior Manager, and Partner. Each interview was completely different in style. My interview with the partner was by far the most relaxed, and chill. He basically sat down and said, “So lets talk about your resume.” After about 10-15 minutes he allowed me to ask a bunch of questions and the interview became more or less a normal conversation. My interview with the Manager was the total opposite. She had a piece of paper and read off very obscure behavioral interview questions, and took notes on my responses. She was a nice lady, but seemed very rigid in terms of interviewing. I really had to think on my feet and a couple of those questions I was initially just like…ohhh shit (in my head of course). My interview with the Senior Manager was a perfect combination of my previous interviews. She asked me the typical, “So why this firm? Why Accounting? Why Risk Assurance?” and those sorts of questions.

I got to travel across the country to a client site for one week which was an awesome experience. Risk Assurance is a unique line of service. It was hard for me to gauge what I'd do on a normal basis because it seemed as though most interns had completely different engagements which required completely different work. As long as you have a strong educational background, and a peronsable/positive personality you'll get in!! You don't even need to be an Accounting major or a CPA to thrive in Risk Assurance, although that's the route a majority of the employees chose at my firm.

[Anonymous]

I interned last summer at a large market big 4 in the “Risk Assurance” practice. I had a great experience and was lucky enough to receive a full-time offer, which I accepted.

My recruiting experience occured as an undergraduate during my business school's typical fall cycle. My initial interview with the firm was conducted via phone with HR. About a week later I was invited to an office visit where I interviewed with a Manager, Senior Manager, and Partner. Each interview was completely different in style. My interview with the partner was by far the most relaxed, and chill. He basically sat down and said, “So lets talk about your resume.” After about 10-15 minutes he allowed me to ask a bunch of questions and the interview became more or less a normal conversation. My interview with the Manager was the total opposite. She had a piece of paper and read off very obscure behavioral interview questions, and took notes on my responses. She was a nice lady, but seemed very rigid in terms of interviewing. I really had to think on my feet and a couple of those questions I was initially just like…ohhh shit (in my head of course). My interview with the Senior Manager was a perfect combination of my previous interviews. She asked me the typical, “So why this firm? Why Accounting? Why Risk Assurance?” and those sorts of questions.

I got to travel across the country to a client site for one week which was an awesome experience. Risk Assurance is a unique line of service. It was hard for me to gauge what I'd do on a normal basis because it seemed as though most interns had completely different engagements which required completely different work. As long as you have a strong educational background, and a peronsable/positive personality you'll get in!! You don't even need to be an Accounting major or a CPA to thrive in Risk Assurance, although that's the route a majority of the employees chose at my firm.

[Anonymous]

Depending on what level you are interviewing for, I'd be prepared for behavioral questions for sure, experiences working well in groups, under tight deadlines, multitasking, how you handled a bad situation, etc. Also, I'd know the basics of how ITRA works with audit teams, testing logical access, change management, etc. just in case they want to discuss any specifics, but beyond that I would think they will want to focus on your resume, your specific history and to get a feel for your professionalism and if you are well spoken and if they would feel comfortable putting you in front of their clients (as much as they can tell that over the phone, so just sit up straight while you are on the phone, be relaxed, and act as if they are in front of you, if helps, go ahead and dress as if you are going to the interview. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Depending on what level you are interviewing for, I'd be prepared for behavioral questions for sure, experiences working well in groups, under tight deadlines, multitasking, how you handled a bad situation, etc. Also, I'd know the basics of how ITRA works with audit teams, testing logical access, change management, etc. just in case they want to discuss any specifics, but beyond that I would think they will want to focus on your resume, your specific history and to get a feel for your professionalism and if you are well spoken and if they would feel comfortable putting you in front of their clients (as much as they can tell that over the phone, so just sit up straight while you are on the phone, be relaxed, and act as if they are in front of you, if helps, go ahead and dress as if you are going to the interview. Good luck!

[mystical guy]

@maxspiderx wow. I'm shocked he was so harsh by asking philosophy questions. I took enough of those classes but there's no way I would ask someone those type of questions in ITRA. Thanks for your feedback!

@CPAOneDayHopefullay thanks for that feedback! I had my interview with the Senior Manager today and I decided to just turn things around and ask her the questions right off the bat. Best interview ever. I completely agree that being outgoing is critical. I'll see what happens on-site. 🙂

@amylynn1981 Thanks for the feedback! Seems it's the consensus that behavioral type questions will be common, and being presentable/personable is crucial. I'll practice like hell this week. I'm trying to join as a experienced hire so I'll be fine if they throw in those big CISA terms.. I'll see what happens. Phone interview was great.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[mystical guy]

@maxspiderx wow. I'm shocked he was so harsh by asking philosophy questions. I took enough of those classes but there's no way I would ask someone those type of questions in ITRA. Thanks for your feedback!

@CPAOneDayHopefullay thanks for that feedback! I had my interview with the Senior Manager today and I decided to just turn things around and ask her the questions right off the bat. Best interview ever. I completely agree that being outgoing is critical. I'll see what happens on-site. 🙂

@amylynn1981 Thanks for the feedback! Seems it's the consensus that behavioral type questions will be common, and being presentable/personable is crucial. I'll practice like hell this week. I'm trying to join as a experienced hire so I'll be fine if they throw in those big CISA terms.. I'll see what happens. Phone interview was great.

CPA - Since 2015
CISA - Smashed 2012
CIA - Passed 2015

[Author]

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