[TNDCPA]

I started applying to various firms for a entry level position in Audit and Experienced level Candidate in Tax during April – June. I had an interview with McGladrey for an Entry Level Audit Associate and ended up not getting picked. After much patience and worries due to graduation nearing, I accepted an offer with a small local CPA firm in my city as an Audit Associate. I’ve been with them for a month now and am content, however I received an e-mail from KPMG’s Experienced Tax Recruiting Manager regarding my application. Although my goal was to experience audit, I still would like to keep my relations with this recruiter.

My question is, should I even mention this in the e-mail and if so I’m not quite sure how to come about indicating I would like to be connected for future opportunities. Wouldn’t he just think..I’m offering you something now yet you don’t want to jump ship? I do plan on mentioning that I just accepted an offer with another firm.

Any comments or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

FAR - 89 02/27/14
REG - 88 04/30/14
AUD - 90 7/3/14
BEC - 87 8/30/14 DONE!

[Anonymous]

My thought would be to push that while you would love to work at KPMG, you've just started a position at another company and don't feel it would be right to leave them so soon, but would like to be considered for next year or something like that. From what you've said, this is a valid reason that you aren't interested now – that you wouldn't feel right leaving a new employer so soon – so you can push this side without having to mention your other valid reason (that you want audit experience). My understanding is that these recruiters usually want to think that you are 100% devoted to the side they're hiring you for (tax or audit), so if that's true, telling him/her that you want to do auditing first could come off wrong, whereas telling him/her that you are loyal to your employer for a few more months at least should be a good thing.

[fuzyfro89]

That's a tough situation, and it's hard to pick the exact “right” steps to take.

Here's what I would do:

– Thank them for reaching out

– Have a call/meeting with them to discuss your background/interests/goals/etc

– Suggest you are strongly interested in joining KPMG but would like to try your current firm at least through 1 busy season

– Ask if there is anyone in the firm (client serving) that might be willing/able to answer some questions (this is more a gesture of your interest, but take them up on anyone they offer as a resource… even if they don't end up offering anyone, I would find someone myself either an alumni or just a random person through Linkedin and start up a chat with them. Most people are somewhat nice and will make an effort to make some time for you if they think you are genuine and if they can spare the time.)

… if they say they want you now, then maybe they need more staff and you can go for it now, but the path I laid out above is the least likely to mess anything up. Of course, there's also a good chance that the recruiter will have moved on.

Clear as mud? Hope that helps…

[acctaks]

Um, if you get an offer you should go. You will slave away for a few years but you can have your pick of jobs after.Guess what? There is another graduating class right behind you and another after that. There are plenty of candidates that recruiters can go after. Local firms definitely have their pluses but what is it that you really want down the road? If it's to stay put then fine. It doesn't appear that's what you want though.

F-Pass
A-Pass
R-Pass
B-Pass

I'm a CPA!

[Anonymous]

Go, make the call, do not wait, KPMG looks much better on your resume and you

will learn more since the a top firm has harder more complex clients who

can pay their large fees vs. a small firm.

That CPA you work for at the small firm would have done the same think

if give the opportunity year ago.

Do no walk, run.

[Author]

Replies