[Anonymous]

Well I have seen what you people on this board wrote. Some have very strong views than others but in the end it is all based on our opinions and experiences, so here goes.

I have a Bachelors (Business) undergrad GPA over 3.7.

A Master’s of Accounting GPA slightly over 3.5 and have passed the CPA exam. I have experience (long and indepth) in accounting.

My current employment is with a small company (retail) in the accounting Department and I have been trying to get a job with any Firm large or small.

I have talked with different people and this is my opinion (fact pattern I see in my area).

Some firm are not diverse. I do not see many non-whites working at these firms and I have friends/classmates that worked at these firms.

Some firms claimed that thay hire diversity. One of my classmate took my resume to her Firm and the feed back I got was that I was over qualified other times I got feedback (different firms) that I lack the experience for example audit associate.

I have been to recruiting fair on campus where most of my male and female white classmates were selected and only one non-white male was selected and the gap in salary is very different between them as well. Not even a single interview for me at a firm…..Yet.

Most of these firms that claim to encourage diversity, example E&Y and PWC to name a few are not IN MY OPINION doing so based on the what I know regarding persons who were in my MACC program. Grant that my MACC program and the few accounting Undergraduate classes I took population may be very minimal if not inconsequential but that is what I used in my sample. I know this is a touchy one but I just want to know your views on this one. Just look on the profiles of some of these Firms and the partners, managers and Senior associates within them. I just need a toe in the door and I will work hard.

Passing the CPA exam was not an easy road, who feels it knows.

[Marivy22]

Where are you located? What is your ethnicity?

“Discrimination” is a though topic, but I would say it all depends on your location. I live in South Florida and all the associates and seniors from the Miami and Fort Lauderdale offices that have audited us (2 different big 4's) are from different countries. To give you some examples, this year I got an associate who was white-american, the senior was white-hispanic and the manager black-from Africa (yes, from Africa, not African american)….Our tax consultant from another firm (not big 4, but close) is from India…..So I guess you have to live in a city where diversity is appreciated.

In the other hand, I have read that it is dificult to get a position in a big 4 unless you are recently graduated or have experience at another firm.. You might want to target at other non big 4 firms.

Keep looking and do not get discouraged!!!

Done 😉
Class of 2012!!!!
Lots of prayers and hard work....

[Anonymous]

Well this is my OPINION on the topic.

First, you don't tell what your race or ethnicity or nationality is that you feel is being discriminated by. I will tell you that certain regions of the US are less diversity centric than others. I live in the South and driving to work I see more black women driving in than any other sex or race. So in the South things might be different. I can tell you as a somewhat early middle aged white guy, I am the least represented person around wherever I work.

As my pappy used to say, do good things consistently and good things will happen for you. Would you be happy if you did force your way into a company only to find your were limited? If they are that way, you are better off without THEM.

As for why people are hired and their salaries, I think the criteria are so diverse that it is impossible to determine why a person wasn't hired or was hired for more/less. It's very easy when frustrated to blame your lack of success in the job market on a single criteria and become jaded or bitter. Don't do that.

I've sat in on interviews where the person impressed me so much based on a hidden criteria that I would have given them the highest salary I could to attract them. Others impressed me just enough for me to consider them a staff level and give them the minimum going rate. It's all about presentation, interview skills, resume presentment, etc.

Good luck,

[Anonymous]

This topic has CONTROVERSY written all over it….

You appear to be implying that because you HAPPEN to be a minority and are having trouble finding a job that it must therefore be because you ARE a minority. Any stat class will tell you that correlation does not imply causation. There could be a hundred different reasons why you are having trouble getting into these firms. I think the ratio of applications to job offers at a Big 4 firm is around 18:1 or something like that.

Keep in mind also the economy is STILL very much in the crapper (despite the talking points you may be hearing during election time). Everything I've seen, at least on the surface, indicates that these firms bend over backwards to promote diversity…

[Whatdidyou]

Usually firms will not hire you just because you are a minority. Even if all else is equal it won't factor in. Theyll just provide additional support if you do get hired. Also remember that some markets are very competitive and it always seems like everyone else has offers (because they are the ones who talk about it). The fact that you did not get any interviews actually points away from discrimination, as HR is primarily responsible for picking interviewees, and I sincerely doubt deloittes hr dept would even think of screening candidates that way. IMO there's probably another reason u got 0 interviews.

REG - Passed!!
BEC - Passed
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Study Materials: Becker basic course

[mla1169]

If you actually have “long and in depth” accounting experience, are you significantly older than your classmates that are getting these interviews. Also have you considered they may actually be looking for someone without experience?

Usually campus recruiting events are for the younger folks who are just getting started in their careers. You don't see a lot of older adults who are going back for their masters at such events.

If you're actually a young person getting started in their career you might want to have a professional look at your resume. This is a tough job market across the board.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for the feedback, as I said in the beginning it is a survey based on my MACC program and a few undergraduate accounting classes used as the sample.

I am from Jamaica, only did high school there, both undergrad and graduate done here. I live in GA.

I am not frustrated nor am I bitter and I am not blaming my lack of success on anything and anyone. I take full controll for MY SUCCESS not you or anyone else. I am not implying that being a minority impacts my ability to get a job. I just wanted your views (well I got what I asked for). If I am not infront of the interviewer how can they know that I am black or any other color? so strike down the miniority issue implication or bitterness there. I justed want to have your views.

I really do not put my self in any category when doing anything(job application too). My take is go for it or don't go for it, the effort and self belief is always my formula for success. I know its a touchy topic.

Probably what I wanted you to say is OK.

Here are some very strong resume tips.

Do this….Don't do that…

I just want a fun discussion. You are all awesome.

Thanks you

[mla1169]

I'm very sorry, but I'm having a hard time reconciling your 2nd post with your first. You say “so strike down the minority issue implication” but your first post you say those firms are not encouraging diversity in your opinion. You pointed out your classmates color and gender but not their ages, GPA's, experience, or CPA exam status. You also say this “may be touchy”.

Really?

Have you gotten many touchy resume tips?

Do you go into “fun discussions” expecting them to be touchy?

Something lacks consistency.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[SIMSLAYER]

I work for a well established regional firm in southwest Florida. Race is without a doubt an issue here. I was naive at first, but it didn't take me too long to figure this out. If I did not have white skin and/or a plain “white” last name I would have never been hired here. We have, and always have had, an all white staff and I have never once even seen a non-white client in our office. So, no diversity at all here, and its really disappointing, sad, etc.

I grew up on the Dade/Broward County side of Florida were there was so much diversity in the schools and businesses. I took it for granted that it was pretty much like this everywhere. I was suprised to find out that it isn't. Like you, I have also gone online to check out some of the partner profiles at other firms in the area and more of the same. There are, however, quite a bit of females so I don't see much of an issue there.

So, like some have already mentioned, I think it all depends on location. Diversity issues (to put it politely) definately exist in some areas more than others.

Good luck to you. I hope you find a position where you will be valued and appreciated. They are out there, just not always easy to find.

FAR- 81
AUD- 93
BEC- 79
REG-

[Anonymous]

My classmates ages ranges from 25 to 56+. I am 36. Graduted with MACC in 2008 CPA Exam completed early 2012.

Mostly males from my MACC program were hired by Firms, probably 5 females. None of the males passed the CPA exam at the time and a few of the males (hired) had somewhat lower GPA than mine but over 3.0. Some of the males who were hired ranged 26-29 a few were older than I was, the majority had less accounting experience. The females that were hired (under age 30) had experience (internship and otherwise) and 1 had passed all parts of the exam too and perfect 4.0. Salary wise of the few who said what salary they are paid, the white males get paid more than the females and the minority get on par salary with the females. When I asked them questions such as the diversity of their co-workers, minorities are very few if at all employed by the firms.(I am only referring to Accounting Firms only)

The Career service at the school encouraged the people in the MACC program to attend.

mla1169, when I said “fun discussion” I meant a discussion without “crucifying” anyone, do not defend or attack the other party. Example when I tell people that I am from Jamiaca they readily assumed that I love/know everything about Bob Marley and or Smoke something which I do not.

What I am saying is that when I looked at most Firms the partners, managers and higher ups are not minority and I am not talking about Big Four only.

[Whatdidyou]

“as I said in the beginning it is a survey based on my MACC program and a few undergraduate accounting classes used as the sample.”

What survey are you talking about?

Personally, I think that in most places, there are several other factors that cause minority Partners/managers to be rarer than white partners/managers than your suggested factor. Bias/discrimination is pretty low on that totem poll. But I don't know, anyone else know if GA is a racist place?

Also, just asking your classmates about their salaries & the diversity they see at their firms is not a whole lot to go on IMO.

And if you want some tips, since you did not get any interviews, I'd say make sure you have your resume and cover letter polished. Grammer, flow, and design are critical. I know this is a blog so form does not matter, but if even one sentence on your cover letter reads as awkward as your and my own (!) posts here it could really hurt you.

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

Study Materials: Becker basic course

[Mayo]

Unfortunately, because we are on an online blog it's impossible to really know the reason why you haven't succeded in getting the interviews you wanted.

In my experience however, you need to take theterm “diversity” for what the firms really mean: Non-Caucasian recruits who have excellent to good social skills and fit in with the firm culture.

Many diverse recruits, especially foreign born ones, have difficulty because their English is sometimes not up to par. However, this issue is a complicated one, and really doesn't capture the weirdness that is college recruiting.

I will say that the Big 4 have at least made a big effort to hire minorities in the past few years. They're stil in the process of creating an inclusive culture. Albeit slowly, but at least they're trying.

To someone's question on if GA is racist..after living in the South (i.e. GA, SC, NC, etc) for 6+ years…yah you'll run into plenty of racist people. It was kind of a culture shock. Although it's impossible to say that factored in, I would not discount it entirely.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[musicamor]

Unfortunately, this type of discrimination is still rampant in today's business world; however, just because one experiences possible race discrimination in one area, does not mean all groups, employers, firms, etc follow suit; I believe it is very circumstancial and situational.

Texas CPA - licensed in 2012!!!

[Author]

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