[palmtop_taiga]

Hello,

I have an interview for a big four firm coming up. It’s only the first round, but what do you recommend to stand out from the other candidates? The position I am going for is an entry-level, fulI-time position. I attend a college that several firms recruit from, so I want to make sure I don’t just blend right in with the other students.

Additionally, does anyone know what to expect in the way of a starting salary for a staff associate in the New Jersey area?

Thanks a bunch!

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[krschneids]

You can probably expect 50-55k with a 5k bonus if you pass all four CPA sections within one year of employment.

AUD 79 (7/14)
FAR 78 (7/14)
REG 78 (8/14)
BEC 81 (10/14)

[stag]

Big 4 in nj would be considered NYC so if you are going for audit probably 57k

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[palmtop_taiga]

Thanks for your responses! @krschneids, I do plan to get my CPA one year after graduation. Any advice for what to expect in the interview? I posted a thread about a second interview with a different firm as well, but forgot to categorize it so no one has answered. I've never been on a second interview before so I'm not sure what to expect.

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[Anonymous]

stag's right on the money.

I think the going audit rate is closer to 55k in the Philly market (if that's the side of Jersey you're on).

[palmtop_taiga]

I live over by the Toms River area, but am looking into entry level positions all over state. I also have a couple of relocation options if that becomes necessary.

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[krschneids]

@palmtop I actually responded on your other thread about a second interview about an hour ago.

AUD 79 (7/14)
FAR 78 (7/14)
REG 78 (8/14)
BEC 81 (10/14)

[Anonymous]

Toms River? Looks like you're not really close to either!

Life-long LBI'er here- spent ten years on Beach Haven Beach Patrol. I have lots of family in Ocean County!

Not too many Big 4 firms in the Toms River area as far as I know. There are a few in Princeton, and in Big Pharma land (Central NJ) but, as far as I can gather, these offices are on the smaller side.

Your probably interviewing for a position in Philly or Manhattan. They are the biggest markets in our area. Hands down.

[palmtop_taiga]

@krschneids: I'll look for it!

@billbrasskey Yes, it is rough looking for a firm around the area so I gave up. For big four, I'm looking into Philly as well as New York. Anyone know the pros and cons of each? For the second interview that I have, it's with a medium size firm in Livingston.

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[Anonymous]

There are some rather large “Mid-sized” firms that all have offices in NJ. I know Withum, Smith + Brown is supposed to be a great one to work for. They actually have an office in Toms River. I think it's a smaller one though.

Pros/Cons of each city are tough. I prefer Philly, personally. I have a big house with a big yard, a reasonable commute, and a 45 minute drive to the shore. You can't get that in NY on an accountant's salary.

On the other hand, NY is NY.

I think it all boils down to what kind of lifestyle you are looking for.

[palmtop_taiga]

Interesting. Thanks for the information! I think the fact that there's actually a community out there for questions like these is great.

Any one know what type of questions/interview structure to expect from a Big Four? I've done some research on the firm and the services it offers. Otherwise, any suggestions?

Thanks all!

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[cool_kid]

Yea I'd say there's definitely a lot more opportunities in North Jersey and NYC compared to South Jersey and Philly. But yea what billbrasskey said, its what you prefer I guess. I personally do not like Philly so Id definitely choose NYC over Philly.

[supercpa11]

57k audit..

[JPM-III]

“Additionally, does anyone know what to expect in the way of a starting salary for a staff associate in the New Jersey area?”

I just received an offer from a Big 4 firm in North Jersey. Starting salary $59,000 tax associate.

from neuroscience to accounting

[palmtop_taiga]

@JPM-III Thanks for that! “from neuroscience to accounting” – what's the story there?

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[JPM-III]

@palmtop_taiga Heh, you know what they say about college kids lacking direction. I went into my undergrad studies with the intention to go to med school eventually, and so I started off on the life sciences track. I didn't really enjoy the material and stuck with the program much longer than I should have. Ended up graduating with a hilariously awful overall GPA of under 2.3 (that's not a typo).

I was fortunate to land a job afterwards in a finance role for a few years, during which I came to the realization that accounting, specifically taxation, was my true calling in life. I needed that time after college to mature. That lead to my current stint in grad school, and if all goes according to plan, I expect to graduate with a 4.0 cumulative next May. I consider myself lucky that any firms even recruited me. The takeaway here is that a really bad undergrad GPA can certainly be overcome.

from neuroscience to accounting

[Author]

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