[palmtop_taiga]

Hey all,

I have an interview next week with a big 4, and after doing a little research, I found that they have had some issues come up in the news. I will be interviewing with a manager and a partner, and I wanted to ask them about these issues, and how they are resolving them. My question is: is this a bad idea?

On the one hand, I think it should show that I care about the direction in which the company is headed. On the other, no one ever wants to hear an outsider talking about mistakes their firm has made. I don’t want to demolish any egos, but I am curious about what measures they will take.

As always, I appreciate the advice, ninjas.

Thanks!

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[Anonymous]

No, no no no, nono ,noo nooo. no

noo

no

no.

NO.

No.

[palmtop_taiga]

Fair enough. Thank you!

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[mla1169]

Let's just say they're not likely to tell you anything that isn't already public knowledge.

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, interviews are all about just getting to know you as a person. At least interview for an entry level position (dunno about experienced and above).

Above all else, they just want to know if you're someone they would like to work with.

So be human. Don't ask questions you don't care about. Or don't ask questions that'll be boring or make the other person uncomfortable. They probably don't know the details of what you're going to ask anyway.

Put yourself in their shoes. What would you think of someone who asked that kind of question? At best, I would consider them to be a really, really boring person.

[Anonymous]

No way.

An interview is like a date. You never ask a date what that red bump on her lip is.

You can do one of two things: kiss her anyway, or never ask about a second date.

Either way you never ask about the red bump.

[palmtop_taiga]

Sounds good to me, seems to be a pretty unanimous “no”. I was only entertaining the thought. Thanks for your input, everyone!

AUD 74, 82 (11/29/15)
FAR 68, 79 (11/9/15)
REG 75 (6/21/16)
BEC 75 (1/18/16)

[acamp]

Not sure if anyone else mentioned thus, but I'd have to say,

No, no no no, nono ,noo nooo. no

noo

no

no.

NO.

No.

Self proclaimed: Highest ratio of Replies to Others v. Posts Created on A71

California CPA - Big4 Aud Manager Alum - Private Accounting at Startups

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[Tripp11]

No one wants to talk about their dirt, not even when it goes public in the news.

I agree with everyone else with an emphatic, NO!

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[taxgeek83]

Along with joining in the “no” chorus, I think that each of the Big 4 (and probably some other large firms for that matter) has been in the news at some point or another. Usually it has to do with promoting aggressive tax strategies – not necessarily illegal, but definitely pushing the envelope. Eventually they push too far, the IRS gets ahold of them, and you have a settlement that makes the headlines (or headlines in the accounting world, anyway). And the cycle continues.

I'm not sure what you happened to come across (and completely understand if you don't want to go into detail), but I think if you research any of them, you'll come across similar stories across the board.

[M.O.D.]

Be a man and ask, but make sure you can give them some good advice first. Don't ask just to make conversation or to gossip.

If your advice is sound, ask that they make you partner asap so you can guide them better.

Either they don't hire you or they make you a partner. You win either way.

BA Mathematics, UC Berkeley
Certificates in CPA and EA preparation, College of San Mateo
CMA I 420, II 470
FAR 91, AUD Feb 2015 (Gleim self-study)

[Author]

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