Ok… So finally got a break. Got a phone interview set up with one of the big4

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #183995
    jlondon
    Member

    This is to an experienced hire recruiter… for Audit Associate job. First off, just want to reconsider.. Am I making the correct decision?? I am seriously going backward if I do this, I’m 28 years old. I will probably take a pay cut, and worked like there’s no tomorrow. I’m currently working in A/P, and daily tasks include entering invoices for payment. I feel stuck in here, even though I love this company. They are public, and I’m treated good with very good benefits.

    The main reason I would want to leave, is because I want to learn how to build a financial statement (meaning understand exactly what each account is, and how it is affected, etc.. ), and it might be somewhat hard for me to learn that currently due to the fact I’m doing A/P. Might have opportunities, but how long will that take for me to climb the corporate latter?

    Anyway –

    What should I expect to be asked? What should I expect to know?

    What questions should I ask? Do you have any examples of questions a recruiter would like to hear from a candidate?

    Any help is much appreciated, I feel like I only got 1 shot, and I have to make this count. Not growing any younger…

    BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
    AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
    FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
    REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

    -Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

    "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

    "You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Author
    Replies
  • #522245
    Mayo
    Participant

    Don't worry about age. I was 28 when I started with my firm as a first year staff. Trust me when I say it will actually be a plus in many cases. And the pay cut is a cost that will be worth it in the end.

    As for the interview, I'd think about how your experience aligns with the following: 1) working as a team, 2) working across departments, 3) leadership roles, 4) communication sklills, 5) extracurriculars…do you volunteer? Play sports? Have a life?

    At the end of the day, it's about how much they like you,on how well they think you'll fit in.

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #522289
    Mayo
    Participant

    Don't worry about age. I was 28 when I started with my firm as a first year staff. Trust me when I say it will actually be a plus in many cases. And the pay cut is a cost that will be worth it in the end.

    As for the interview, I'd think about how your experience aligns with the following: 1) working as a team, 2) working across departments, 3) leadership roles, 4) communication sklills, 5) extracurriculars…do you volunteer? Play sports? Have a life?

    At the end of the day, it's about how much they like you,on how well they think you'll fit in.

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #522247
    jlondon
    Member

    @Mayo Thank you so much, It's always good to hear from people who can relate to the same experience.

    btw, did you get your cpa before starting? or are you studying now? Is it somewhat hard to make time to study when working in public accounting?

    BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
    AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
    FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
    REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

    -Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

    "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

    "You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

    #522291
    jlondon
    Member

    @Mayo Thank you so much, It's always good to hear from people who can relate to the same experience.

    btw, did you get your cpa before starting? or are you studying now? Is it somewhat hard to make time to study when working in public accounting?

    BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
    AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
    FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
    REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

    -Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

    "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

    "You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

    #522249
    kcosgrove1
    Participant

    I also took a pay cut when I started as an associate. I went from managing the entire accounting operations of a private business to an entry level position at a CPA firm. Now, 2 years later, I've been promoted and my salary has been raised 50% since I started, which is more than I was making at my old employer.

    In addition to what Mayo said, if you advance to the next round of interviews, be prepared with 10-15 questions that you want to ask. These questions should show your knowledge of accounting (i.e. What factors are considered before accepting an engagement?) and also show that you are enthusiastic and interested.

    Good luck!

    BEC - 68, 75 (2/3/14)
    AUD - 75 (11/30/12)
    REG - 73, 75 (10/8/12)
    FAR - 78 (8/31/13)

    DONE!!! Waiting for License!!

    #522293
    kcosgrove1
    Participant

    I also took a pay cut when I started as an associate. I went from managing the entire accounting operations of a private business to an entry level position at a CPA firm. Now, 2 years later, I've been promoted and my salary has been raised 50% since I started, which is more than I was making at my old employer.

    In addition to what Mayo said, if you advance to the next round of interviews, be prepared with 10-15 questions that you want to ask. These questions should show your knowledge of accounting (i.e. What factors are considered before accepting an engagement?) and also show that you are enthusiastic and interested.

    Good luck!

    BEC - 68, 75 (2/3/14)
    AUD - 75 (11/30/12)
    REG - 73, 75 (10/8/12)
    FAR - 78 (8/31/13)

    DONE!!! Waiting for License!!

    #522251
    jlondon
    Member

    @kcosgrove1 Thanks! Personal experiences are always good to hear.

    BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
    AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
    FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
    REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

    -Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

    "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

    "You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

    #522295
    jlondon
    Member

    @kcosgrove1 Thanks! Personal experiences are always good to hear.

    BEC: 69, 57, 72, 73, (anticipated for 4/4/2015)
    AUD: 65, 63, 74, 84!!! (expires 7/31/2015)
    FAR: 63, 57, (scheduled for 4/1/2015)
    REG: ... 42, (Anticipated to be around 5/20~)

    -Every Set Back is a Set Up for a Major Come Back #motivation

    "I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed." - Michael Jordan

    "You are not your past, but the resources and capabilities you glean from it" -Jordan Belfort

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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