[TheGuyCPA]

I was thinking of applying for all the mid size firms like grant Thornton, work for them for a couple years, and then move to big four? I had interviews with big 4 but never got an offer. I always end up getting nervous and that probably screws me over.

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State of Illinois Licensed CPA as of September 2015

[Anonymous]

Let me guess, you went through your first recruiting season only applying for big 4? In this job market you just can't do that. So yes, apply to mid tier also. AND don't think they will be a walk in the park either :). So apply to industry jobs too. At the very least it'll give you interview practice, at the best you'll learn about and fall in love with a company/role, you never know. Stay open. You don't want to end up graduated, with no job offer and cut off from campus recruiting from all sorts of great opportunities – public and industry alike.

[TheGuyCPA]

I have been working in industry for over a year now. I graduated in 2013, and I still have access to my school career services website. I just want to move into public now because i'm getting closer to obtaining my CPA, and my industry position doesn't require a CPA, so being a CPA where I currently work is absolutely pointless. I must work in public! I have to do it!

FAR - 80
REG - 78
AUD - 88
BEC - 84

State of Illinois Licensed CPA as of September 2015

[TheGuyCPA]

I have been working in industry for over a year now. I graduated in 2013, and I still have access to my school career services website. I just want to move into public now because i'm getting closer to obtaining my CPA, and my industry position doesn't require a CPA, so being a CPA where I currently work is absolutely pointless. I must work in public! I have to do it!

FAR - 80
REG - 78
AUD - 88
BEC - 84

State of Illinois Licensed CPA as of September 2015

[rp 12]

It is doable. Just get couple years a good experience in mid-tier firms. I would say even stay as a Senior for one busy season and make that switch to Big4 as a Senior. If you work as a Staff for 2 yrs in a mid-tier firm you could be entering as an Experienced Associate. Also, in your time as a staff in mid-tier firms you could be contacted by experienced hire recruiters from Big4 firms and network with them and the people who work in the client serving side via LinkedIn. There is always a high attrition rate in public accounting firms. With leveraging proper experience, and networking skills it will become little easier. I hope this helps.

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[Anonymous]

During recruiting season I limited my options to big 4 and like 2 mid size firms. Never got an offer. During recruiting season the year after I applied to as many firms as I could. I just needed to get a job offer! I ended up getting a job offer with a mid size firm even though I had my heart set on this one big 4 firm! I know the pay is very similar and usually so are the benefits. Im sure the big 4 are a little better. I will start in September with this mid size firm. For busy season I was told its a required minimum of 55 hours including Saturday's. And I know big 4 is more than that. I'm curious to why you would want to work at a mid-size firm then go to big 4 for similar pay and more hours?

[fuzyfro89]

Get experience in any public firm. The closer the client types are to the city/client base of some of the Big 4 the better. GT/Mcgladrey/BDO are going to be somewhat similar in terms of what you'll learn from an audit standpoint.

Your best bet in switching into Big 4 is with 1-3 yrs of public experience. The most reliable way is to form a relationship, or at least a working/professional acquaintance, who would be willing and able to vouch that you are competent and pass your resume to recruiting.

Once you do that, then you just have to find the right timing. Most firms have regular needs for experienced hires, but your timing and availability will have to match up with an opening that comes up. Your best bet is to form that relationship/acquaintance and keep in touch until the office has hiring needs and then go for it. Repeat with as many firms as possible.

Also, having your CPA helps a lot since it alleviates a lot of the fear (justified or not is a different point) that you are competent.

Lastly, don't close yourself off to enjoying a mid-tier firm! Some people will enjoy good career opportunities both inside and outside the firm. I wouldn't ever discourage someone from aiming for the Big 4, but make sure you give a fair look at all opportunities. Even outside of public, in industry, there are some analyst programs that can be very good for your career.

Good luck!

[Author]

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