Too old to start public accounting at a Big4 as a campus hire?

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  • #186643
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hi Ninjas,

    Do you guys know is there an official (or unofficial) age limit that Big4 would consider when recruiting on campus? I am in my later 20s, 28 to be exact, doing my Macc at the moment, will be done in 12/2014. I would like to start off at a Big4, but I don’t know if they would think I am too old as a campus hire. Thanks much for your input and suggestions!

Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 25 total)
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  • #578559
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I hope not. I will be 30 and will have four years of post-undergrad work experience by the time I finish my MAcc in May.

    My strategy come campus interviews is to not bring it up or worry about it. It is not something we can control, so what is the point of fretting?

    #578560
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    They don't really care. I was 31 when I got my degree. I ended up at a smaller firm doing more interesting work.

    I know someone that may be in her 50s (her kids are out of college) that is a Big 4 Sr. Auditor. They're all about “fit”.

    #578561
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    Amnevergiveup:

    I'd be worried if you can't “hang” with the younger crowd. At your age, you will have more in common (perhaps) with the managers than staff… but 28 is far from old.

    Unless you smoked a pack a day for the past 10 years, never worked out, never washed your face, and never brushed your teeth, then you probably don't even look noticeably older than the 22 yo grads.

    It really is all about fit. I knew people from some fairly wide backgrounds:

    – older woman probably early 30s, immigrant from eastern Europe — Russian-ish accent — and she worked alongside me as a staff, and left this summer after her 3rd year with the firm

    – another senior I worked for in the past was an admin assistant for the firm for 5 years I believe before she began as an audit associate, and worked toward her CPA (so an in-charge, I suppose)

    – some d-bag fratty guys

    – some tax nerds

    – some audit nerds

    – some hot sorority girls

    – some normal people (not notable in any way)

    – you name it…

    It's about fit. Can you sell yourself as someone who would “fit” into what they want? Do you have the energy/drive/willingness to learn that they expect from a 22 yo grad? If so, then stop worrying about your age, and start practicing those networking and interviewing skills!!!!!

    #578562
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    They won't care. The question is… will YOU care when seniors and potentially managers that are younger than you, give you crap for using the wrong tickmark?

    #578563
    Mayo
    Participant

    28 is definitely not too old. I was 27-28 when I was recruited.

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #578564
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @Brian

    Agree with you. I don't think you can even talk about age during an interview. Isn't that not allowed by discrimination law? I would be wrong. you are right, this is nothing we can do about and certainly nothing to worry about.

    #578565
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @ billbrasskey & fuzyfro89

    Thanks guys for your opinions! I can see how that “fit” really plays a role in recruiting. fuzyfro89, your examples are really funny but very inspiring. I wouldnt mind working under people who are younger than me. That doesnt really bother me at all. You have the point, I needa hone my interview skills and learn how to “sell” myself.

    #578566
    Mayo
    Participant

    “Agree with you. I don't think you can even talk about age during an interview. Isn't that not allowed by discrimination law?”

    Technically yes. However, I think it's easy to out yourself if you're not careful when responding to questions.

    For example, it's easy to get carried away when asking, “So tell me about your experience”. All of a sudden you rattle off about every job you've had, and basically present the fact that you're older (i.e. “well, I worked at XYZ for 5 years, then worked at ABC for another 5 years..).

    Basic rule of thumb…talk only about the experience that you have presented on your resume. If you're comfortable that the age factor isn't an issue, then by all means put all your experience on there and feel free to discuss. If you're not, then just leave it blank.

    That's the approach I took, and it worked out just fine. I put only the activities and jobs I had during college, and my interviewer never knew I was almost 30. Yet another reason to be heavily involved on-campus during college for on-campus recruiting.

    Mayo, BBA, Macc

    #578567
    WeWillSee
    Member

    Don't aks, don't tell. People assumed I was in my early 20s until I got hired, and then when people found out how old I was they were really shocked. I have a manager who is 7 months younger than me and no one knew.

    That being said @fuzyfro89 – putting the term “Older woman” with early 30s :-0 – I don't think I'd consider myself or anyone else that I work with who is my age “Older”

    #578568
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Hired by Big 4 at 28.. never seemed like it was an issue. I kinda felt they appreciated someone with more life experience. I had done more in the last 6 years than any 22 year old could dream of. I don't really mind if someone younger than me has more “experience” than me. As long as it doesn't affect your work and you're a generally pleasant person, there's no difference.

    #578569
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    @ dksmoove

    That s an interesting question, and I guess that would be part of the job, especially being a new hire…lol People will give you crap no matter where you go, younger or older, it is part of what it is when working under the roof. I have been through those situations before and have learned how to not give a dang. So yea, think i ll be fine. Thanks for the opinion!

    #578570
    fuzyfro89
    Participant

    Wewillsee:

    I didn't mean to offend. I meant “older” as in no longer under 25… a “non-traditional” student. It's not a bad thing. I could get into my preference for women older than myself, but I think this is the wrong forum. 🙂

    Perhaps I should have said “wiser” woman in early 30s?

    Btw, don't be sensitive about age. It only gives men the right to be picky about women's age. Rock out like you're 25 for life!

    #578571
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I remember when I was recruiting with the Big 4 that I was very nervous about them finding out that I had kids because I thought they would discriminate against me on the basis that I wouldn't be a good “fit.” I think they are pretty limited in what they are supposed to ask about your age, marital status etc. in interviews, but I recall a guy from PwC finding a way to call me out pretty quickly. It was at a pre-interview reception and this is how the conversation went with one of the tax managers: “So I see that you're married; what's your wife do?” BUSTED I truthfully replied “oh, she is a stay at home Mom.” I didn't get the second interview. Funny part is that I got the second interview with KPMG and EY. The only difference that I can pinpoint is that KPMG and EY didn't know that I had a family. I didn't apply to Deloitte so that one isn't included in the sample. The point is that they do discriminate based on how flexible they assume that you will be ie traveling constantly and working obscene hours. In my humble opinion though, being 28 and unencumbered by kids and other responsibilities isn't really different than being 22 and unencumbered by kids and other responsibilities. Shave your face and don't bring up your age. If you have a family, keep it to yourself. Good luck.

    #578572
    mla1169
    Participant

    Bill I think there was more to the PwC than your family status. Honestly I think its a bigger concern hiring a mom than a Dad whose wife works full time raising the children-the chances you'd have to bolt at 5 to pick up at daycare or take a day off because a little one has a fever are few and far between and probably limited to your wife being ill or having an appointment herself. The PwC guy may have been a dud or completely clueless, but I have a hard time believing even in public that would disqualify you.

    I am always up front that first and foremost I am a mom. And its the truth, there is no position or employer that will ever trump the needs of my family, period. Not sure if that has ever cost me a position but if it HAS, good riddance. I would never work for someone who demanded to be my highest priority. If my having to go coach cheerleading or bring a kid to the doctors is an issue its not a job I'd entertain.

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

    Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

    #578573
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I agree with the comment about it being an issue if your a mom more than it being an issue for a dad. Although I had no problems at all….I am a mom with 2 kids..interviewed at all the big 4..got offers from all. I must say I never volunteered the information however during interviews, if it came up I was very comfortable talking about it. For 2 of the big 4 I told them and I still got the offers. It could be they really needed ppl or they did not care. Either way it worked out!

    Good luck!! 28 is young 🙂 You will be fine.

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