[Jobless2CPA]

What’s the “cut-off” age for Big 4 employment? (not intern but regular staff)

I have been told that Big 4 don’t hire people over the age of 30 unless you have a JD/CPA or MST/CPA under your belt.

[TheBsEr]

There's really no age cut off but to be a manager you would need a CPA designation (at least for audit). So if you're looking to jump straight into a manager or higher position, then you would need to be a CPA.

AUD - 91
FAR - 90
REG - 87
BEC - 91
Ethics - 98

[Jobless2CPA]

What about for lower-ranked employees like a Tax Associate? I really have been told by several guys who had worked for Big 4 that they don't hire less experienced staffs who are over 30. I am assuming that want to breed their new staffs.

[TheBsEr]

That might actually be the case if you were looking into the associate positions. Typically associates are people straight out of college and people who are around 30 are at least in the senior positions and most are managers by then, so I would agree that it would be difficult to look for an associate position around that age. But if you're experienced, you should be trying to go straight for senior or manager position

AUD - 91
FAR - 90
REG - 87
BEC - 91
Ethics - 98

[Mayo]

It's less of an age issue than it is a personality/circumstance issue.

Like someone mentioned, most big 4 recruiting takes place on campus. Most associates are hired after they complete their internships. Otherwise, big 4 hires experienced associates from other cpa firms.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Jobless2CPA]

thank you for your replies.

I am actually applying to the MST program at USC upon passing the CPA exams, and I just want to know what is my chance of getting hired by any of the Big 4s during campus recruiting. (assuming I have good grades and a good personality and over 30)

[NoOrigins]

I know a lot of people who just entered big 4 in their late 20s and early 30s. Actually, way more than I expected. I would worry less about age, and much more about making (and maintaining) a good impression.

FAR: Passed
REG: Passed
BEC: Passed
AUD: Passed

[Whatdidyou]

I agree. People tend to freak out about nothing.

Big 4 gets entry level students from college campuses. If big 4 hires 5-10% of accounting grads and people in their mid to early 20's make up 99% of all accounting grads, of course big 4 will hire mostly students in their mid to early 20's.

But that is not their goal at all. I actually think being a little older(late 20's or early 30's) is a positive because with that usually comes more confidence and communication skills.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
FAR - Passed
AUD - Passed

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[SunCPA]

@Jobless2CPA, age is not an issue for big4. I did my winter internship this year with one of these companies and got my full time offer for next year after completing my masters. I'm 33 years old, thus by the time I'll start full time I'll be 34. I got recruited on campus, so I believe as long as you have good grades, and fit the personality they are looking for, you are ok.

Good luck!

[Author]

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