[numbercruncher123]

Basically, I just would like to know what are my chances if I apply to B4 right now as an entry level associate being a recent grad with little acctg -related experience (non-public acctg exp). Or if someone out there in the same situation and successfully got recruited could you pls. share your thoughts?

My situation is I’m a recent grad, currently working in private acctg with 1yr+ exp, interned for a few months in govt while in college, and did a few stint in tax also in college. Pre-college, I work in an industry that allowed me to make more than min. wage unlike my teenage peers (been working since I was 16). My dad passed away at that time and my mom was working 2 jobs just to support the fam and I felt like I needed to help out. Because I’ve been working all my life (also while in college), my GPA was just average and it wasn’t up to par with B4 qualifications IMO & just didn’t bother. Fast forward, now I just kinda felt like a missed out on the B4 opportunity during college. My current plan is to pass the CPA exam and then go to grad school. Some people in this forum frown upon a Masters degree if you are a CPA already, but my reason for going to grad school is 1) To complete the 150 units required for licensure, & 2) Have another chance at B4 recruitment.

Well, now it got me thinking, what if I apply for entry level at B4 after I pass the exam before I even go to grad school. Is this even possible with the kind of work experience I have? Has anybody had any success with this? The reason I’m not so sure about my chances is because I also have friends currently working FT for the B4 who interned their previously. What I’m getting at is that they basically told me that almost 99% of the interns were hired to work FT…. That can only mean that majority of the entry level positions are already filled by the last year’s interns. Btw, I was told that the 1% that didn’t get the offer were the people who got drunk during one of the Co. sponsored trips and started bashing the firm.. this got me cracking up lol!!!

***just fyi — my current employer doesn’t have much growth opportunity, hence I’m looking for ways to get out ASAP. The only way I see myself being promoted is if any of the upper mgmt leaves the Co.although I don’t see that happening anytime soon….However, my mind is made up that I have to go into public acctg because I know, and I’m sure all of you knows that many doors will open once you have that B4 experience on your resume (that’s why so many threads here in this forum dedicated to the B4! lol)

So yea, this is my situation. Any thoughts, advise, tips, suggestions, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading….. 🙂

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BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[numbercruncher123]

Sorry about the long post 🙁

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[numbercruncher123]

Sorry about the long post 🙁

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BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[onmywhey]

Just to clarify, you have an undergraduate degree in what? What's your GPA? Do the Big 4 recruit from your school or the school you plan to attend?.. Sad that I must ask, but how old are you? Where do you plan to get your Masters?

It all depends on your answers from here.

[onmywhey]

Just to clarify, you have an undergraduate degree in what? What's your GPA? Do the Big 4 recruit from your school or the school you plan to attend?.. Sad that I must ask, but how old are you? Where do you plan to get your Masters?

It all depends on your answers from here.

[numbercruncher123]

@onmywhey, sorry i skipped that part. My undergrad was in Accounting at a State University. Yup, the Big4 does recruit at my previous University and so as the Universities I'm planning to attend for my Masters. My GPA is around 2.8 -2.9 (I forgot, I haven't checked in a while) which pretty much is the norm at my Uni considering how tough the Business/Acctg curriculum at my school is. I thought at this point, GPA would be less of a factor with the B4 and rather they'll look more of what I've accomplished (work exp, etc.).. but what do I know, that' the reason why I'm here in the first place.

hmm don't know why my age is relevant, but I'm in my mid 20's. :). I don't really want to give out any more details because I don't know if my employers or fellow colleagues are on here as well… and I've already disclosed so much on this post, lol!!! oh, btw, just to clarify, I plan to *apply for grad school next year, so that means hopefully I'll be starting in 2015. Most of my managers are alum from top tier Universities and I'm hoping I could get a strong letter of recommendation from them when I do apply for grad school. One was even from Harvard, but there's no pt of asking him because there's no way he can vouch for me as I don't work directly with him….

Well, thanks for any advise!

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[numbercruncher123]

@onmywhey, sorry i skipped that part. My undergrad was in Accounting at a State University. Yup, the Big4 does recruit at my previous University and so as the Universities I'm planning to attend for my Masters. My GPA is around 2.8 -2.9 (I forgot, I haven't checked in a while) which pretty much is the norm at my Uni considering how tough the Business/Acctg curriculum at my school is. I thought at this point, GPA would be less of a factor with the B4 and rather they'll look more of what I've accomplished (work exp, etc.).. but what do I know, that' the reason why I'm here in the first place.

hmm don't know why my age is relevant, but I'm in my mid 20's. :). I don't really want to give out any more details because I don't know if my employers or fellow colleagues are on here as well… and I've already disclosed so much on this post, lol!!! oh, btw, just to clarify, I plan to *apply for grad school next year, so that means hopefully I'll be starting in 2015. Most of my managers are alum from top tier Universities and I'm hoping I could get a strong letter of recommendation from them when I do apply for grad school. One was even from Harvard, but there's no pt of asking him because there's no way he can vouch for me as I don't work directly with him….

Well, thanks for any advise!

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[Anonymous]

If someone asks how old you are, you say “24, unless it matters…”

[Anonymous]

If someone asks how old you are, you say “24, unless it matters…”

[Anonymous]

The big 4 usually have a GPA threshold requirement for students. It typically ranges from 3.2-3.5 give or take a few pts. Not sure if this is what they do for your market, but you are correct in the sense that they do value students who work while in school. It really doesn't matter if you have accounting experience or not, since they are looking for fresh students to groom, and all the learning will be from the job itself.

Given that you are a recent grad, and you missed out on recruiting season– it is probably your best bet to get in contact with the recruiters in your market. If you can't seem to get ahold of them, try to see if your campus alum services can get you in touch with them.

It is true that a majority of the new hires come from interns. However, depending on the market, they can and typically will hire a good amount of FT's straight from campus.

[Anonymous]

The big 4 usually have a GPA threshold requirement for students. It typically ranges from 3.2-3.5 give or take a few pts. Not sure if this is what they do for your market, but you are correct in the sense that they do value students who work while in school. It really doesn't matter if you have accounting experience or not, since they are looking for fresh students to groom, and all the learning will be from the job itself.

Given that you are a recent grad, and you missed out on recruiting season– it is probably your best bet to get in contact with the recruiters in your market. If you can't seem to get ahold of them, try to see if your campus alum services can get you in touch with them.

It is true that a majority of the new hires come from interns. However, depending on the market, they can and typically will hire a good amount of FT's straight from campus.

[onmywhey]

Considering your profile, it's not impossible for you to get in.

The low GPA could be a barrior that could be overcome depending on the quality of your school, the quality of your work experience, and your explanations. But you're saying this is the norm so no concerns there.

Age is relevant if you're older (different topic), since you're in your mid 20's you should be fine.

I have seen plenty of people get into Big 4 through full-time but it's risky. Usually a full-time offers comes about when an intern doesn't accept an offer or an unexpected person quits, these positions are few but it's possible. Also depends on your market, if you're in a big market your chances are higher.

Be prepared to explain why you haven't been in the recruiting process earlier, Big 4 are skeptical sometimes of later applications because it MAY come off as not sure what they want to do, public accounting is second option, slow to understand recruiting process, haven't tested you out in an internship.

They will review your work experience and you as a whole the fact that you have good work experience could be your saving grace. my view is they look at 3 things: GPA/school activities, social skills/appearance, and work experience.

Definitely start to network ASAP, reach out to university career center, accounting adviser, alums (seems like you know a few), reach out to recruiter.

Good luck!

Also… one last thing… the recruiting cycles have begun in many states and offers have started to roll out for interns and full-time.. make sure you research the timetable but if you're strong enough they will take you regardless of timetable.

[onmywhey]

Considering your profile, it's not impossible for you to get in.

The low GPA could be a barrior that could be overcome depending on the quality of your school, the quality of your work experience, and your explanations. But you're saying this is the norm so no concerns there.

Age is relevant if you're older (different topic), since you're in your mid 20's you should be fine.

I have seen plenty of people get into Big 4 through full-time but it's risky. Usually a full-time offers comes about when an intern doesn't accept an offer or an unexpected person quits, these positions are few but it's possible. Also depends on your market, if you're in a big market your chances are higher.

Be prepared to explain why you haven't been in the recruiting process earlier, Big 4 are skeptical sometimes of later applications because it MAY come off as not sure what they want to do, public accounting is second option, slow to understand recruiting process, haven't tested you out in an internship.

They will review your work experience and you as a whole the fact that you have good work experience could be your saving grace. my view is they look at 3 things: GPA/school activities, social skills/appearance, and work experience.

Definitely start to network ASAP, reach out to university career center, accounting adviser, alums (seems like you know a few), reach out to recruiter.

Good luck!

Also… one last thing… the recruiting cycles have begun in many states and offers have started to roll out for interns and full-time.. make sure you research the timetable but if you're strong enough they will take you regardless of timetable.

[numbercruncher123]

Thanks for the insights guys!

I just hope the recruiters wouldn't grill me on why I didn't choose public acctg. early on, but I'll be prepared if ever they ask me that question.

Btw, since you mentioned that there's usually only a few spots left for FT pos. entry level, I think it'll be even tougher for me since I will be competing with people who have passed the CPA exam, licensed, & people with Masters degree… 🙁 oh, well, I'm not going to sulk in it. My main focus would be just to get an interview and hopefully win them over with my AWESOME personality, lol. I live in a big city with a huge B4 presence, so hopefully they will have an extra spot for me to fill! Right now, I'm just thankful I even got a job after college 🙂

thank you guys.. your comments def. help! 🙂

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[numbercruncher123]

Thanks for the insights guys!

I just hope the recruiters wouldn't grill me on why I didn't choose public acctg. early on, but I'll be prepared if ever they ask me that question.

Btw, since you mentioned that there's usually only a few spots left for FT pos. entry level, I think it'll be even tougher for me since I will be competing with people who have passed the CPA exam, licensed, & people with Masters degree… 🙁 oh, well, I'm not going to sulk in it. My main focus would be just to get an interview and hopefully win them over with my AWESOME personality, lol. I live in a big city with a huge B4 presence, so hopefully they will have an extra spot for me to fill! Right now, I'm just thankful I even got a job after college 🙂

thank you guys.. your comments def. help! 🙂

Review Materials: RogerCPA, WTB, NINJA

BEC - IP (May 2014)
AUD - TBA 2014
REG - TBA 2014
FAR - TBA 2014

[Mayo]

Your chances are pretty low just because FT positions are few in number. Not much to add that hasn't already been said. Previous posters did a great job at addressing most of the issues you'll face.

What I will say is that personality goes a long way. A little networking here, a bit of volunteering there, and a personality that people like will give you a decent shot. GPA only matters if you went to a low ranked school no firms recruit at.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Author]

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