[lleon]

Hello all,

Had campus interviews with 2 middle market firms and both called back for a 2nd interview in their offices. Any tips/insight as to how this will be different from campus interview? What kind of questions/topics can I expect?

both are for an auditor position (entry level), and have been told that I’ll rotate with 3 interviewers with one of the firms.

They’re both on the same day. Any help is very appreciated, thanks!

Licensed in Arizona

[MBA MST CPA]

Although I have no idea what your in-office interviews will be like, I can give you some interviewing advice that might be helpful. It's common sense but many people don't think to do it.

First, be prepared. Spend as much time as you can researching the companies. Find out as much as you can about their culture, accomplishments and people who work there. Read their financial statements if they are available. Linkedin is helpful for finding out who works there and their possible interests. Have couple reasons ready why you want to work at these firms as opposed to others.

Second, be prepared. Be ready to sell yourself. They are most likely looking at many candidates for a few positions. Be prepared to explain how your accomplishments and experiences will benefit them.

Finally, be prepared. Be ready to tell stories that explain how your life experiences will benefit their organization. Many companies utilize behavioral interviewing where they will ask candidates open ended questions such as, “can you tell me about a time where you…?” This is your chance to shine. Have a few stories ready about how you improved things or overcame adversities (ie – passed a section of the exam despite working/going to school, etc.)

As I wrote these are common sense ideas but they will give you a leg up on others who don't take the time to prepare.

Good luck.

REG - 11/5/2012 - 80
BEC - 1/17/2013 - 76
AUD - 2/22/2013 - 70 4/5/2013 - 75
FAR - 5/28/2013 - 75 - Done!!!

Question: What do you call someone who only gets 75's and 76's on the four parts of the CPA exam?

Answer: A CPA

[MBA MST CPA]

Although I have no idea what your in-office interviews will be like, I can give you some interviewing advice that might be helpful. It's common sense but many people don't think to do it.

First, be prepared. Spend as much time as you can researching the companies. Find out as much as you can about their culture, accomplishments and people who work there. Read their financial statements if they are available. Linkedin is helpful for finding out who works there and their possible interests. Have couple reasons ready why you want to work at these firms as opposed to others.

Second, be prepared. Be ready to sell yourself. They are most likely looking at many candidates for a few positions. Be prepared to explain how your accomplishments and experiences will benefit them.

Finally, be prepared. Be ready to tell stories that explain how your life experiences will benefit their organization. Many companies utilize behavioral interviewing where they will ask candidates open ended questions such as, “can you tell me about a time where you…?” This is your chance to shine. Have a few stories ready about how you improved things or overcame adversities (ie – passed a section of the exam despite working/going to school, etc.)

As I wrote these are common sense ideas but they will give you a leg up on others who don't take the time to prepare.

Good luck.

REG - 11/5/2012 - 80
BEC - 1/17/2013 - 76
AUD - 2/22/2013 - 70 4/5/2013 - 75
FAR - 5/28/2013 - 75 - Done!!!

Question: What do you call someone who only gets 75's and 76's on the four parts of the CPA exam?

Answer: A CPA

[wizards8507]

A couple of cautions.

If I'm reading correctly, you have interviews with two different firms on the same day? This is a big red flag for me, especially since you don't know exactly what the itineraries will be. What's your game plan if things go really well in the morning interview and the partner asks you to join him for lunch or meet some of his colleagues that weren't formally scheduled? It's not unheard of and I think it might be better to be totally at the firm's disposal for the day, not rushing off to another interview.

My other caution is to not go overboard on MBA MST CPA's advice. Yes, you want to be 100% prepared, but some people almost go too far in their preparation and come off as robotic. These are regular people who probably like college football, vacations with their families, and homemade pie. Don't put the interviewer on a pedestal or you'll come off like you're begging for a job, not as an equal professional. Keep the tone conversational. It's more important that you come off as likeable than impressive.

NY CPA

[wizards8507]

A couple of cautions.

If I'm reading correctly, you have interviews with two different firms on the same day? This is a big red flag for me, especially since you don't know exactly what the itineraries will be. What's your game plan if things go really well in the morning interview and the partner asks you to join him for lunch or meet some of his colleagues that weren't formally scheduled? It's not unheard of and I think it might be better to be totally at the firm's disposal for the day, not rushing off to another interview.

My other caution is to not go overboard on MBA MST CPA's advice. Yes, you want to be 100% prepared, but some people almost go too far in their preparation and come off as robotic. These are regular people who probably like college football, vacations with their families, and homemade pie. Don't put the interviewer on a pedestal or you'll come off like you're begging for a job, not as an equal professional. Keep the tone conversational. It's more important that you come off as likeable than impressive.

NY CPA

[lleon]

Thanks both for your advice.

these were actually my #1 and #2 targets when I started campus recruiting so I really didn't want to turn one down. One firm called about a week after the other and couldn't change the date so that's how they ended up same day.

I didn't tell the HR person of first firm that I had a second interview, but made it clear I had other arrangements in the afternoon. Hopefully it doesn't affect me much.

Licensed in Arizona

[lleon]

Thanks both for your advice.

these were actually my #1 and #2 targets when I started campus recruiting so I really didn't want to turn one down. One firm called about a week after the other and couldn't change the date so that's how they ended up same day.

I didn't tell the HR person of first firm that I had a second interview, but made it clear I had other arrangements in the afternoon. Hopefully it doesn't affect me much.

Licensed in Arizona

[kmaahs]

I recently did an office visit with a big 4, and an on campus interview with a regional firm that evening. As long as there is some solid time between them, it shouldnt be an issue.

Know the company, have some good questions prepared, nothing terribly generic.

My interviews were mostly conversational with a couple “tell me about a time when…” questions.

Relax ad best as you can, you want to come off confident above all else. And try to find something in common with the inteviewer. Spending the interview shooting the shit can be a good strategy in some cases.

C.P.A.

[kmaahs]

I recently did an office visit with a big 4, and an on campus interview with a regional firm that evening. As long as there is some solid time between them, it shouldnt be an issue.

Know the company, have some good questions prepared, nothing terribly generic.

My interviews were mostly conversational with a couple “tell me about a time when…” questions.

Relax ad best as you can, you want to come off confident above all else. And try to find something in common with the inteviewer. Spending the interview shooting the shit can be a good strategy in some cases.

C.P.A.

[lleon]

Yeah, I made sure I had plenty of time to not be late and/or rushed for either visit.

So it sounds like as far as what they might ask, it might not be very different from campus interviews? I definitely try and turn it conversational whenever I can, it has worked great for me. Definitely takes effort from my side though, I'm definitely on the introvert/quiet personality side, hopefully I'm not exhausted for my 2nd office visit.

It was weird they scheduled their office visits on the same day, and their socials the night before are at the exact same time, so I'm missing out on one of them. Terribly inconvenient, these were my 2 wish-list firms. I don't feel like missing the social will hurt me, but then it's a chance for everyone else to make an impression before I even meet the interviewers. Coincidence I guess. Thanks for all the comments, very helpful advice. Hopefully I'll be coming away with some offers! 😀

Licensed in Arizona

[lleon]

Yeah, I made sure I had plenty of time to not be late and/or rushed for either visit.

So it sounds like as far as what they might ask, it might not be very different from campus interviews? I definitely try and turn it conversational whenever I can, it has worked great for me. Definitely takes effort from my side though, I'm definitely on the introvert/quiet personality side, hopefully I'm not exhausted for my 2nd office visit.

It was weird they scheduled their office visits on the same day, and their socials the night before are at the exact same time, so I'm missing out on one of them. Terribly inconvenient, these were my 2 wish-list firms. I don't feel like missing the social will hurt me, but then it's a chance for everyone else to make an impression before I even meet the interviewers. Coincidence I guess. Thanks for all the comments, very helpful advice. Hopefully I'll be coming away with some offers! 😀

Licensed in Arizona

[Author]

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