[Sandro]

Hello everyone,

I am thinking of applying at some of the big accounting firms (probably the big 4) as an experienced hire over the next few months. I wanted to see from people who have been hired at one point in their life by one of the big accounting firms and what kind of background check they had to go through.

My criminal background is 100% clean but on my credit I have a foreclosure in my past and I just wanted to see if that could potentially be a problem when applying at some of these big accounting firms. Thank you

[Anonymous]

I don't think they run your credit report, and a foreclosure wouldn't show up on a criminal background check. I just left Big 4 and my new job ran a background check – credit check was not included.

[Sandro]

Thank you for your response

k917 If you don't mind why did you leave the big 4? Did you start right out of college there or did you go in as an experienced hire?

[UNC MAcc]

They won't care. But you might get discriminated against for being older. They like em young and dumb.

B - 89
A - 80
R - 78
F - 86

CIA, CFSA, MBA, MAcc (too many f'ing degrees and certs, I know, trust me)

[Sandro]

I will turn 31 in November so I am not sure what you consider older?

[Anonymous]

@Sandro – I started there right out of college and worked there for 5 1/2 years. I left as an audit manager. I was burnt out from the hours and did not enjoy auditing at all. I'm way busier at my new job than I expected to be, but I don't miss auditing. I miss my team, but I'm very happy I left. Big 4 was not my long-term career goal and I was happy to get out when I did.

[Sandro]

@k917 thank you for your response. I am thinking of going in as a Tax Manager. Do you know by any chance of what normally the hours are of the tax managers during busy season and then during the rest of the year?

[Anonymous]

I would imagine around ~80 during busy season, 50-55 rest of year depending on clients/engagements.

[Sandro]

Thank you very much bpk1

[Anonymous]

And I should add that I had to fill out a financial background check as well… List all debts(who owns them, and if they're current in terms of payments), any and all brokerage/stock/401k accounts and the stocks you own within them, any accounts past FDIC insurance limits, CC debt in excess of $10k, etc.

Basically want to make sure that you aren't in a situation that would push you to sell info/use insider info to make a profit to fix your personal financial situation. I don't think a past foreclosure will cause a major issue if you've been completely relieved of the debt.

No problem!

[Sandro]

bpk1 did you get hired right out of college or an experienced hire? Did this financial background happen at one of the big 4 companies?

[Sandro]

bpk1 did you get hired right out of college or an experienced hire? Did this financial background happen at one of the big 4 companies?

[Anonymous]

@Sandro, I was a full-time hire right out of college (and did not have an internship prior to that with an accounting firm). Yes it was with a B4 (would prefer not to say which one).

[thechapman]

Just did a background check for big 4 and I didn't see anything related to credit on it. If something regarding my credit was checked, they never told me about it, so I doubt that happened.

Passed - 2014

[Sandro]

@bpk1 If I am reading your comments correctly they really did not do a credit check but instead they just had you list your financial situation, is that correct?

[Sandro]

@thechapman thank you for your response. Did you get hired as a experienced hire or right out of college?

[Author]

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