Big 4 Job Advice

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Big 4 Job Advice

37 posts from 18 voices

Started 11 months ago by Danielle
Latest reply from MikeInMIA

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Danielle

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Hi all, I've passed all four parts of the CPA exam and would like to land a job in one of the big 4s. I had 3 years of general accounting experience, none in public accounting. I've looked at senior position listings in big 4s and all of them are in very specific area which I don't think I'm qualified for. So I think my best shot would be entry level positions. But from what I heard, big 4s mainly hire their entry levels through campus. I'm currently not in school and I guess campus hiring for this year was just done?

Someone give share their experience and give me some advice. Thanks.
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Posted 11 months ago #
kandisjoy

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My advice is to stay out of public accounting because it's awful... Sorry, that's probably not the most helpful reply if you're really set on public accounting. But it had to be said.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

Posted 11 months ago #
CalCPASoon

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I really don't understand what the fascination is with working for the big4. There are ALOT of national firms like McGladrey and Pullen, BDO, Moss Adams and Grant Thorton that are just as good, but personally I think smaller regional or local firms are the way to go!

I would try for an entry level position. Three years general accouting experiance is not enough for a senior audit position. Public accounting is NOTHING like private industry.

Honestly, you will make more money, and be alot happier staying in the private industry. Especially since you have your CPA. Why work as as staff auditor when you can take more advantage of your CPA by taking a senior accounting position at a private company?

CalCPASoon....CalCPAFinally! Yay I made it!
CPA licensed in California!

Posted 11 months ago #
HighMileageDude

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done
BEC 79
FAR 88
AUD 95
REG 82
AICPA Ethics 100

Posted 11 months ago #
mk4

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Danielle-

I personally have worked at EY, KPMG & D&T all of which were great firms. Although there are many great midsize and regional firms the Big 4 offer things those firms just can not.

The barriers to entry may be greater for you but I would go for it.

FAR 67, 68, 77 PASS
AUD 69, May 2012
BEC April 2012
REG

Posted 11 months ago #
WhyMe23

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mk4-

Curious why you bounced around to those 3 instead of staying at one firm the entire time? Is it common to move from one public accounting firm to another in general (regardless of firm size)? Or more common among firms of similar size?

B - 85 (5/31/11)
A - 93 (7/1/11)
R - 87 (7/29/11)
F - 77 (8/31/11)

Posted 11 months ago #
peter olinto fan

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mk4, what do yo mean by "the Big 4 offer things those firms just can not." specifically, what are you referring to they can offer?

FAR - 81
BEC - 73, 73, 79
REG - 72, 75
AUD - 72, 68, 82

DONE!!!!

Posted 11 months ago #
MOMCPA2B

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Ummm who is Peter Olinto?

I cant wait for this to be over.
AUD-7/25/11-77
BEC-11/27/11-Failed(UGH)Back to the drawing board
REG-2/27/12
FAR-May 2012

Posted 11 months ago #
Minimorty

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Only the most awesome CPA Review instructor around. Pete is the best!!

Posted 11 months ago #
Peanut

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Brought up this old thread to ask.... Is it true Big 4's only hire during certain months of the year?

AUD 59, 72 :( 72 AGAIN :( :(
REG 59, 60, 80
FAR 67, 75
BEC 58, 79

Posted 8 months ago #
CPAe2011

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On the most part yes. Usually its a few months before busy season (Aug-Oct) for training or interim or at the start of January.

Although, I've seen interns come in during the summer which I think is ridiculous since there is barely enough work to do in my sector as it is. I get so annoyed when I pass an intern and see that they have facebook open and 3 in the afternoon.

FAR - 1/6/11 84
AUD - 4/8/11 87
BEC - 5/27/11 83
REG - 7/14/11 84

Posted 8 months ago #
Peanut

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Thanks for the reply. That's what I was thinking.. When I was living in NYC I had a connect at PWC that tried to get me in. When the recruiter called she told me they usually hire in September, I was thinking/hoping that was something unique to the NYC branch. I ask because my old boss is going to try to submit my resume to the PWC Austin TX branch but I have a feeling I will get the same response :(

**Side note, I'm always annoyed when I worked with people who surf the internet or facebook all day while everyone else is busting their @ss.

AUD 59, 72 :( 72 AGAIN :( :(
REG 59, 60, 80
FAR 67, 75
BEC 58, 79

Posted 8 months ago #
CPAe2011

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I work in NYC and I know that the current resumes coming in for interviews from now until December are for positions for Fall 2012 and interns coming in for June/July 2012 summer BS season lol.

But, I'm not sure when the January 2012 new hires get interviewed. Maybe its during this time too? I remember last year right before busy season they were asking staff if they had experienced or senior level talent that would like to join, so it may be a possibility.

FAR - 1/6/11 84
AUD - 4/8/11 87
BEC - 5/27/11 83
REG - 7/14/11 84

Posted 8 months ago #
keeptrying

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Good luck getting a position in Austin Peanut....it's not going to be easy! Are you looking for an audit position or tax?

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 8 months ago #
Peanut

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I think I would only move to Austin if I could get into a big 4, or some other "awesome" opportunity comes up. I'm more interested in an audit position... after my past few REG experiences LOL

AUD 59, 72 :( 72 AGAIN :( :(
REG 59, 60, 80
FAR 67, 75
BEC 58, 79

Posted 8 months ago #
keeptrying

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Yeah I was referencing the Big 4 regarding the "good luck". It's very hard because of being such a small market. Now if you want Houston....my husband works for EY and I am sure he would pass your name along. He is in audit as well.

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 8 months ago #
ExhaustedCPA

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Public accounting...blah. It's like what Rodney Dangerfield always said: I get no respect. The hours are ridiculous and they have an assembly line mentality. After all, there's always another intern around the corner. I make 50k right now as a state auditor, barely working 40 hours a week, and my per hour pay calculation is better than the one I was offered at one of the Big 4, assuming a 60 hour work week. I'm about to get my CPA and I already have other job offers for a lot more money. I tell ya, government is the place to go. Good hours and you will be surprised how much some government jobs pay.

Aud 4/2/11 - 86
Far 5/27/11 - 83
Bec 7/1/11 - 82
Reg 8/13/11 - 86! It's over!!!!

Posted 8 months ago #
Peanut

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@keeptrying, you're awesome. I was thinking of Austin because I have friends there, it's more my cup of tea than Houston. But I think that's the point I'm trying to make is even if you have "an in" it might not work if they hire at certain times of the year! :(

@ExhaustedCPA, lol. I do agree, but, my old job I was working 60 hours a week, in NYC, getting paid 40k! Not that's insanity. I figured since 60 hours a week is okay with me, as long as I'm being compensated...As long as I can afford my freaking groceries without worrying I could do it. You're right about government jobs, goooood benefits come with those too. I just want to find a damn company that will give me a sign on bonus so I can move out of the east! CA or Austin, anyone, anyone!?! lol

AUD 59, 72 :( 72 AGAIN :( :(
REG 59, 60, 80
FAR 67, 75
BEC 58, 79

Posted 8 months ago #
keeptrying

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@peanut--sounds like you are an experienced hire...you have a better chance if you have an "in" than if you were fresh out of school.

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 8 months ago #
Peanut

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@keeptrying, I think you are right. If I remember correctly when that recruiter from PWC in NYC called me back in the day, she had mentioned something about a "level 1" or "entry level" hires for September. At the time I was still completing my undergrad and had no experience. She was probably referring to those hires fresh out of college. I should probably stop thinking so much ahead and just pass these exams already lol

AUD 59, 72 :( 72 AGAIN :( :(
REG 59, 60, 80
FAR 67, 75
BEC 58, 79

Posted 8 months ago #
ExhaustedCPA

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@Peanut - I would definitely try to get a job in Austin. It's an awesome city. 40k in NYC is like 25k here in Texas. So if you found something for say 60k in Austin, that's probably like 85k in NYC! Plus, no state income tax! God I love Texas.

Aud 4/2/11 - 86
Far 5/27/11 - 83
Bec 7/1/11 - 82
Reg 8/13/11 - 86! It's over!!!!

Posted 8 months ago #
valueofnothing

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my advice: big4 or die trying

REG - 81
BEC - 88
AUD - 85
FAR - 81

Posted 8 months ago #
kandisjoy

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@Peanut - I live in California... I advise go to Texas. :-) I don't like Southern California. Northern California is OK (where I am) but there aren't a lot of jobs. If I lost my job, I would be in serious trouble. I'd probably have to move or take a much lower paying job.

I've heard a lot of good things about Austin. I've even thought about moving there, but my fiance can barely handle the 110 degree summers we have here... doubt he could handle Texas. I'm thinking maybe Portland or Seattle someday... Or just stay here in northern CA, as long as my job stays stable. It's beautiful up here. And by Northern I don't mean Sacramento. I mean close to the Oregon border.

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

Posted 8 months ago #
Minimorty

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@kandis - Just wondering why you are not a fan of So Cal? I have lived here all my life and I absolutely love it. I've traveled all over the country, and I just cant find any place I love more than here. New York City was pretty spectacular, but I could only handle that for short periods of time.

Posted 8 months ago #
keeptrying

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@kandis--I love Nor Cal...So Cal...not my cup of tea....I lived in San Jose from the time I was 3 weeks old until I was 11 almost 12. Would love to move back but who the heck can afford that!!! Also there is just something about Texas...there is a pride that no other state I've ever been has. We are the lone star state...the state that keeps the right to secede from the rest of the US in our constitution. Call it arrogance or call it pride....I call it being a Texan!!!

REG-80, 77, 77
BEC-67, 68, 71, 67, 71, 74, 71, 74, 72, 77
FAR- 72, 65,67, 53, 75 (truth be known the 53 was with 4 hours of studying)
AUD-58, 62, 72, 74, 74, 75
took 5 years but I'm DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 8 months ago #
Peanut

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@kandisjoy, I'll take anywhere that'll give me a job, and anywhere where it doesn't snow 4 feet at a time! I've been to No CA and So CA put I think I would probably live in so CA over North. But you're right, I look at jobs on indeed.com every night for fun and there is not an abundance of jobs out there.. Austin is such an awesome city, so those would be my two choices.

@Minimorty I was in NYC for 4 years... that was definitely enough time. It's more of a stepping stone in life, rather than a place to settle, for me anyway.

AUD 59, 72 :( 72 AGAIN :( :(
REG 59, 60, 80
FAR 67, 75
BEC 58, 79

Posted 8 months ago #
kandisjoy

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@Minimorty- I have a lot of family down in Southern California.. in fact, my mom, grandparents, uncles, pretty much everyone except for just a few people live there. They all wish I'd move down there. I was born in Anaheim. I've thought about moving to So Cal, but there are a lot of reasons that I prefer Nor Cal to So Cal.
1) Traffic (this is a big reason - I get terrible road rage!)
2) Smog - everytime I go down to So Cal, I notice that the sky just isn't quite as blue as it is in Nor Cal
3) The home that I just bought for $150k would have probably cost at least twice as much in So Cal
4) I've noticed that the people that I know in So Cal tend to be a bit materialistic... maybe this is just the people I know though. Namely my family, lol.
5) Reasons I love Nor Cal: I live 15 minutes away from amazing mountain biking, 1.5 hours away from a cheap place to snowboard, and 20 minutes away from two beautiful lakes and awesome hiking trails

There are definitely some great things about Southern California.. like.. cheaper airports closer (I have to drive to Sacramento 2.5 hours away, or pay $100-$200 more to fly out of my town), more culture, more restaurants, theme parks, concerts, etc etc. I definitely appreciate the good things about city life. I really enjoyed Seattle and Portland when I went there.. maybe I just don't feel at home in So Cal. Not sure!

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

Posted 8 months ago #
kb24

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@keeptrying

You forgot to include that TX was a sovereign country for 9 years so the TX flag is flown at the same height as the US flag. I moved to TX for college 35 years ago and have been here since. The summers are brutal, but the people are great. My dad couldn't believe that we liked it here and kept trying to convince us to move. He grew up in the upper midwest and Kansas but spent about a year in Galveston when he was in the service and hated it. I understand why he didn't like it back then because his barracks didn't have air conditioning, but I was never able to convince him that things were better now. He refused to visit because he couldn't handle the heat. The thing is, though, he lived in Phoenix. However, as he frequently told me "it's a dry heat". I'm sorry but 110+ is unbearably hot no matter how dry it is.

FAR 4/1/11 - 89
AUD 4/15/11 - 85
REG 4/29/11 - 80
BEC 5/13/11 - 85

Posted 8 months ago #
kandisjoy

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@kb24 - I agree with your dad, "dry heat" is way different than heat + humidity. I live in Northern CA (it's supposed to be 106 degrees this weekend) and I lived in Tennessee for a couple years (hot + humidity). A 95 degree day in TN felt like a 110 degree day in CA. The humidity makes it much worse, especially if you're not used to it.

But I'm tough so I can handle both kinds. :o)

FAR: 71, 77
BEC: 70, 82
AUD: 62, 78
REG: 71, 68, 85

CA Licensed 11/2011

Posted 8 months ago #
Peanut

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Bring on the heat!! Fall is already here where I am, in a couple of weeks we'll have frost.. Oh depressing.. Okay I'll stop complaining about my location now...lol

AUD 59, 72 :( 72 AGAIN :( :(
REG 59, 60, 80
FAR 67, 75
BEC 58, 79

Posted 8 months ago #
dtomasello

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@CalCPASoon - The only reason Big 4 is a "big deal" is because some snotty private sector employers will actual only interview accountants with "Big 4 experience only". Otherwise, I agree a national firm would be just as good.

@Exhausted - You got that right. I work for gov't on the federal level and I made a higher salary 2 years in than a Big 4 employee 2 years in. I also only work 40 hours a week and I get awesome benefits including a pension.

@OP - Big 4 will obviously open alot of doors for you but it's not the only road to take. You still can make a six figure salary in 5+ years without ever going near a Big 4 office. Don't get suckered in by the hype. They want naive 21 year olds who will work 60 hours a week because they're foolish enough to believe they'll make partner. A tiny percentage do, the rest of them battered and broken are tossed out like yesterday's trash.

I always picture a partner who looks like Matthew McConaughey from Dazed and Confused saying to himself, "That's what I love about these entry level accountants, man. I get older, they stay the same age."

It's a shameless ponzi scheme. Big 4 motto is, "Your either moving up or your moving out."

AUD No Credit
BEC No Credit
FAR No Credit
REG Credit

Posted 8 months ago #
mike_terror

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I know I won't get into the Big 4's but I'm trying to shoot for the regional firms in Los Angeles. I just finished my undergrad last week, majoring in accounting. My cumulative GPA is 2.979, worked full time juggling other obligations throughout college, no accounting working experience, studying for FAR.

How screwed am I? Would you guys recommend getting into governmental work instead?

Posted 8 months ago #
MikeInMIA

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@ExhaustedCPA

Did you just apply for your job through usajobs website? Or is there a more proactive method? I have filled out a few resumes for the jobs listed at usajobs and it goes no where..

Also, can you elaborate on examples of jobs you've been offered?
my goal is to get into gov / contract auditing and apply for FBI in a few years.. it sounds like you have a similar plan.
I hope you see this message..
Is there anyway to send private messages on this forum?
Thanks!

Posted 8 months ago #
dtomasello

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I think exhausted said he works for state gov't. Usajobs.gov is for federal which is what it sounds like your looking for. If that's the case than yeah you have to go through that website. I did for my job and it took me 6 months to hear from them (I've heard up to 12 months for other people) although if you compare that to Big 4 who recruits 12-18 months out, it isn't really unusual for this profession.

AUD No Credit
BEC No Credit
FAR No Credit
REG Credit

Posted 8 months ago #
MikeInMIA

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dtomasello, thanks for the reply.

Do you just have to hope they email you back? Or do they call? I think my applications with them were sent in 6-8 months ago. Two of the openings I applied for had auto replies saying the opening was canceled / expired. I just really hate sending in applications online into neverland with no clue if they will even be looked at.

Btw, what is your job with the fed?

Posted 8 months ago #
dtomasello

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I received a phone call for the interview but it could be different depending on the agency. Hang in there, most of the time no news is good news. You'll get the call just keep applying to everything that interests you. This is a great website to check out http://federalsoup.federaldaily.com it has alot of people who like to give good advice on gov't and people in the same boat as you trying to get in.

When you apply for jobs you want to apply for the ones that have "many openings". The ones looking for 1-2 people are impossible to get. Almost every agency has some type of accounting work depending on your interests (e.g. IRS = Tax, DoD = Audit, FBI = Forensic Acct.) so don't limit yourself.

Good luck. I absolutely love my job. It's 40 hrs a week, flexible schedule, really good pay and benefits.

AUD No Credit
BEC No Credit
FAR No Credit
REG Credit

Posted 8 months ago #
MikeInMIA

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Oh no.. lol
I usually never answer phone calls with area codes I don't recognize

Posted 8 months ago #