[umairk27]

hi guys,

i need your help. im basically in a very awkward situation at the moment. Next week I have a second round interview with a big 4 and another second round interview with a lower mid tier. both interviews are at the same time. also both first round interviews went really well.

now i don’t know what to do. should i go to the big 4 second round because lets be honest its the big 4. or should i go to the lower mid tier one where frankly speaking due to less competition i’ll have a higher probability of getting an offer. what should i do?

is emailing the people who interviewed me (both great people) and explaining my situation a good idea? please help me out! thank you

FAR - 08/31/15 - 79 (4 week of studying)
REG - 10/10/15 - 80 (3 week of studying)
BEC - 11/30/15 - 83 (1 week of studying)
AUD - N/A

Roger Review Course + Ninja Audio Only.

[thechapman]

Were you not given any choice on either of the interview times?

Passed - 2014

[umairk27]

well i got an offer from the mid tier first and they asked me what time worked.

but the big 4 invitation didnt ask me. they just sent me an email with a date and time and it ended up clashing with the other interview

FAR - 08/31/15 - 79 (4 week of studying)
REG - 10/10/15 - 80 (3 week of studying)
BEC - 11/30/15 - 83 (1 week of studying)
AUD - N/A

Roger Review Course + Ninja Audio Only.

[thechapman]

I think asking to reschedule an interview is probably a death sentence for that one, so you might as well do it for the one you want less. I might be wrong, but either way you're going to have to do it to one of them

Passed - 2014

[Tux]

I don't think that you need to explain the details of the situation in order to change the time.

Since the mid-tier gave you an option of time, you can contact them and say that you have a scheduling conflict and you'd like to change the time. Be super polite and ask if that would be ok.

I'm sure it would be fine.

On one hand, I might suggest contacting the Big 4, since the other one was scheduled first.

But, it would be easy to assume that since they didn't even give you a choice of time, I guess the Big 4 expects you to drop everything and make sure you accommodate their schedule no matter what, and not the other way around.

So, since it sounds like you're more interested in Big 4 anyway (yes, that would be a fantastic opportunity), then call the other one and request a change.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[ruggercpa2b]

Since you already confirmed your date and time with mid tier first I would say that you need to email the big four and just say that the time conflicts with a prior appointment and name the date and time that works best for you and see what they say. There is no need to be scared to ask for a different time. I work at the big 4 and we have had people speak up of conflicts all the time and had the directors and partner come up with different times. You don't want to blow off the mid tier because what if big 4 doesn't extends you an offer. You need to always keep your options open.

They just send those invitations out and hope that if someone really does have a conflict they will speak up. Good luck with your interviews!

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[umairk27]

Okay assuming both interview time cannot be changed, what would you guys do if you were in my position?

FAR - 08/31/15 - 79 (4 week of studying)
REG - 10/10/15 - 80 (3 week of studying)
BEC - 11/30/15 - 83 (1 week of studying)
AUD - N/A

Roger Review Course + Ninja Audio Only.

[Zhabaisimmortal]

Reschedule the second tier at all cost. Keep big 4. The difference in quality of work and knowledge is simply too big to even consider picking second tier.

[Zhabaisimmortal]

P.S. Did I mention to go with the big 4? Man, you underestimate your chances. It is just like in “Hitch” – “She already said yes to go out with you, all you have to do is not to mess it up”.

[Tux]

Do NOT assume that both cannot be changed. There's no reason to believe that.

Regarding anything in life – always know that anything is possible. Gotta be confident and know that you're the one in control of your life – no one else.

RuggerCPA explained it well. Sounds like he knows what he's talking about – that Big 4 assumes that if you have a conflict then you'll speak up.

But, you're not super human – can't be in two places at the same time, so you gotta change one of them – either one – doesn't matter –

Do it ASAP – Monday morning.

Just remember – I know that job interviews are a very humbling experience. But know that you're meeting with other people who put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else.

Don't elevate these people to the point where you're afraid of them. That will only decrease your chances of making a good impression.

Be confident, have faith in yourself, and most importantly in God.

Pray that you will be guided to the right opportunity, and have peace and faith that it will happen.

FAR - 86 - 2/27/14
AUD - 75 - 5/29/14
BEC - 80 - 8/31/14
REG - 89 - 2/27/15
Praise Jesus! I'm done!!

Study resources:
Becker
Wiley test bank

[Anonymous]

I agree you are waay over thinking it.

“Since you already confirmed your date and time with mid tier first I would say that you need to email the big four and just say that the time conflicts with a prior appointment and name the date and time that works best for you and see what they say. There is no need to be scared to ask for a different time. “

THIS. I absolutely agree. As soon as you got the big 4 interview with the time, you should have immediately responded and/or forwarded it to the recruiter saying that you had another interview that had already been scheduled and confirmed for that time and asked if the interview time could be changed. This would actually make you more attractive to them (they like candidates who are in high demand.) I guarantee, they would say of course and rescheduled it – potentially switching your and another candidate's times. The big firms do not want to lose out on a chance to woo you – this is especially true since you made a good impression during the 1st round and are getting a 2nd round interview.

[Author]

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