[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

I just got a rejection letter from McGladrey as a Tax associate =( I was really looking forward to working there. I don’t want to go big four but I do want a firm that has recognition like McGladrey or Grant Thorton. I have already passed all my exams and have the credits and have seven years of experience in private accounting. When I try to look for work at these firms, they only have two options, Expericenced candidates or students and I’m neither so it’s turning out to be very hard to find work. CAN ANYONE HELP ME GET MY FOOT IN THE DOOR AT GRANT THORTON??

Thanks guys.

[acamp]

Why not Big4?

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

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

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[itsjustatest]

@acamp maybe because he desires to have a life instead of working (or sitting in the office waiting for your mgr to leave) 90 hours a week.

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[ruggercpa2b]

With your experience in private you are considered an experienced hire.

Also, I would reach back out to the recruiter and express how much you really want to work for them and why them and not the other firms. You never know. Someone might not accept an offer and that could be your in.

AUD - NINJA in Training
BEC - NINJA in Training
FAR - NINJA in Training
REG - NINJA in Training

AUD - 1/6/18
FAR - TBD
REG - TBD
BEC - TBD

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[lancebvs]

I would think you can still apply. I am pretty sure experienced hire just means anyone at the associate level or higher whereas student is intern to associate level. I would definitely try contacting GT, it cannot hurt.

[acamp]

itsjustatest, thanks for answering on behalf of the OP. I ask because working at the “Big5” isn't much different than the Big4; and nobody signs up to work at a big firm because they desire to have a life. LOL

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

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

FAR, REG and BEC with Ninja Notes + WTB Only

Ninja + Wiley Test Bank: [FAR - 81] [REG - 76] [BEC - 88] [AUD - 73](doh!)

Becker Videos: [AUD - 82]

California CPA

[fuzyfro89]

Decosoriog:

Can't help with GT, but you're shooting yourself in the foot by only going after mid-tier firms. The Big 4 may not be your first choice, but THEY HIRE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR. Pure numbers alone suggest you should be targeting them as your chances are better.

GT/BDO/Mcgladrey may only hire 1-2 or zero experienced associates/seniors in a local office (obviously more in NY/SF), and smaller firms than those will hire even less so your chances will be even more random.

I understand that you don't want to work mind-numbing hours, but lifestyle won't be a lot better at the large national firms either.

In any case, good luck. And keep at it. Experienced hiring process is a lot less structured (and therefore more difficult to navigate) than campus recruiting.

[Anonymous]

I can personally vouch for the point fuzyfro89 made about the experienced hire process being more difficult than that of the campus hire. I recently accepted a position at a Big4 via the campus recruiting process even though I already have public accounting experience. Albeit the position is for audit and the only experience I have is tax, which should actually be an even greater testament for #TEAMCampusHire

[philb]

People still send rejection letters?

[AScott89]

Don't feel bad dcosoriog I got rejected for a tax associate position at McGladrey too. Although I don't have any experience and am still taking the cpa exam at this point. I did apply at Grant Thornton for a position that starts next year but it was the only entry-level in my area. Haven't heard anything back yet but fingers crossed.

You should go for the experienced hire positions since you have experience unlike me. It'll also leave you with more options.

--
B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[stag]

I got rejected from McGladrey too, but lucky for me, I got multiple offers from Big 4. From the things I heard from friends who worked at McGladrey, their hours are definitely better than Big 4.

FAR - Aug 2013 Passed
REG - DEC 2013 Passed
BEC - FEB 2014 Passed
AUD - MAY 2014 Passed

BSEE = who needs accounting degree to pass CPA exams?

[NJPRU]

@itsjustatest lol. you apparently don't know GT as well as you think.

AUD: DONE
FAR: DONE
BEC: DONE
REG: DONE

IM GOING TO BE A CPA!!!!!

[itsjustatest]

@NJPRU – well…i work there…so…i think i do…..

AUD - 83
REG - 78
FAR - 69,73,79
BEC - 85

[NJPRU]

@itsjustatest – I work(ed) there as well, particularly in the NY/NJ region and it was horrible, they don't believe in work life balance anything in NJ/NY. I guess we have two different takes of the Company then.

AUD: DONE
FAR: DONE
BEC: DONE
REG: DONE

IM GOING TO BE A CPA!!!!!

[pjypjy8520]

I talked to my manager who spent 2 years at EY Houston office as a senior and he said he never worked more than 60 hours. Originally I thought that's a bunch of lies. Then I thought, maybe that's why he's here because he got fired for working too few hours. Then I thought there's a good chance that big markets like Houston could have relatively smaller clients who does not require a lot of hours. Naturally, the partners and managers might not pay as close attention to those smaller clients and somehow get by working 60 hour busy season week. I mean a lot of the regional/national firms really push their work/life balance but at the end of the day, it depends a lot on the client you are on. If you are on the small regional firm's biggest client and they happen to be messy, then you'll work hours just like the Big 4 because most likely they won't have the manpower to staff the job (yet the fees are so high, the partners will find ways to justify doing the audit with 1 staff 1 senior). Conversely, if you are working at Big 4 but you work mostly on some relatively smaller non-profit/private companies with softer deadlines, then your hours might be more relaxed.

[wrj02]

I work with two seniors who came from GT, and they trash talk it almost every day. I guess there's a fit for everyone, though. Good luck!

FAR 77
REG 82
BEC 73, 83
AUD 59???, 87! DONE!

[Author]

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