Big 4 Insider

Big 4 Interview Qustions

Admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:43:27 +0000

I can’t even tell you how many people have emailed me asking to know the top Big 4 interview questions. As you can guess, the questions that you’ll be asked during your interview is very dependent on the person interviewing you. Often it’s a partner that does the first round interviews. Occasionally, a recruiter may handle your interview. Either way, different people have different questions that they typically asked. So, to help you guys out I spoke with three people at my firm who interviewed people for full-time positions and internships this past year. I told them that I was interested in being involved in the recruiting process some more and casually asked them what are some of the interview questions they like to ask.

It might surprise you to know that they often don’t ask a single accounting-related question during the first round. Below are a number of the questions that the partners told me they ask:

“Tell me about a time when you worked in a group, either at school or at a previous job, when things didn’t work as smoothly as you had hoped.” They will often then follow up with something such as: “And how did you handle this?” Follow up questions will depend a lot on your answer, but to prepare you should have at least one solid experience in mind.
Why do you want to work in auditing/tax/financial services? What do you know about it?
What was your most favorite class you took in college and why?
Which accounting classes have you taken?
What do you think makes you a better candidate than some of the others I have interviewed today?
How to do currently balance school and life commitments?
Have to been in any campus clubs or groups?
Have you applied and interviewed with any of the Big 4?

Remember, during the interview your interviewer is obviously going to ask you a number of questions and this isn’t a complete list by any means. However, you should also be prepared to ask them questions also. Take the time to learn more about the job and the firm. Good luck at your Big 4 accounting interview!

If you found this information helpful, you may want to check out the Big 4 Recruiting Secrets.

Big 4 Internship

Admin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:11:29 +0000

Many of you have been contacting me for details regarding a Big 4 internship. A lot of the time you want to know the Big 4 internship salary. Yes, these internships are paid. The Big 4 accounting firms not only pay for their internships, but they pay well. You will actually be making more money than a first year associate. You will make approximately $23/hr during your internship (this is the rate of a first-year employee). However, unlike a salaried employee, you will also have the opportunity to earn overtime. During my internship I was working a bit of overtime, and was more than willing because I was being paid $34/hr. If you get an internship, you are basically guaranteed to receive a job offer unless you really mess up. The job offer is yours to lose. This past year was a little different for some of the firms. I know that KPMG only offered jobs to 60% of its interns in some offices. PwC and EY, however, were around 90% across the board. Usually you have to get poor ratings to not get a job (especially when we aren’t in a recession). The Big 4 internship gives you a great opportunity to see what it’s like to work in the industry because you will have the same responsibilities as a new associate. So if you’re still in college and thinking of pursuing accounting, I highly recommend that you aim for a Big 4 internship because this is the best way to secure a job offer. Good luck!

Big 4 Internship Recruiting

Admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 04:39:32 +0000

It’s now Big 4 internship recruiting season. As you probably know, the Big 4 accounting firms have great internship offerings. They are very structured and during your internship your firm will give you actual responsibilities, unlike many other industries. During the internship recruiting process, you should inquire with each firm about the different internships they offer. Each firm will offer internships in tax and assurance (audit). Many offices will also have internships in transaction services and some will have internships in forensic accounting, which has become popular. You should also look into the special programs being offered. Some of the Big 4 accounting firms offer international internships. For example, PwC allows some recruits to intern in the UK, Italy or Germany. If you’re a sophomore, you should look into the sophomore programs being offered. These usually last for a few days and include an office visit. This will allow you to build a relationship with the Big 4. If the firm is impressed with you during this short time, they will invite you back after your Junior year for an internship.

Big 4 Accounting Interview Tips

Admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:23:51 +0000

I’m sure you’ve heard that one of the best starts a college graduate can get is with one of the Big 4 accounting firms (PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG and Deloitte). Because they are so coveted, these jobs are often difficult to obtain. Below is a small list of the leading characteristics that Big 4 recruiters look for.

Education
Your education is one of the first things that a Big 4 recruiting is going to look at. There are strict academic requirements that must be fulfilled in order to become a CPA. You should aim the meet the minimum credit requirements needed (150 semester units). An educational background in accounting or business will help, but it isn’t necessary if you go to a top school. Recruiters will also look at your GPA. A high GPA won’t guarantee you the job, but a low GPA can absolutely keep you from consideration.

Communication Skills
After determining that you meet the firm’s education requirements, the recruiter will look for you to demonstrate adequate communication skills. Because accounting is a service industry, people skills are considered very important. As an employee you will be expected to communicate effectively with client personnel. Your responsibility is to maintain the professional appearance that the firm aims to deliver. If you’re lacking proper communication skills it is likely that you won’t receive your job, regardless of your education and other qualifications.

Quick Thinking
Big 4 recruiters are going to want to see how quick you are on your feet. During the recruiting process they are likely to attempt to throw a few curveballs at you to see how you field them. Chances are, you won’t be asked any accounting-specific questions. These questions are likely to come from your resume or other information you have told them. Sometimes clients will ask you questions that you don’t know the answer too. You’ll have to tell them: “I hadn’t considered that. Let me look at it further and get back to you.” This shows your ability to think quickly and field difficult questions, particularly when you don’t know the answer.

Diverse Experience
Accounting isn’t only about memorizing accounting rules and regulations. Accounting firms want you to have a deeper understanding about the business and its industry. If you’ve taken a diverse selection of classes and have had a number of unique life experiences, this will have a positive impact on your application.

If you embody all of these characteristics, you have a good chance of getting a job with the Big 4 account firms. If you’re missing one of these, you’re going to have a more difficult time obtaining that Big 4 job you want. If you’re currently lacking in some of these areas, you can make up for it with the Big 4 Insider Recruiting Secrets guide. It’s worth paying for in order to secure your position with the Big 4. The guide gives you the leg up you need in order to have a successful recruitment period. I wish you the best of luck!

Big 4 Recruitment

Admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:50:44 +0000

You should start preparing for Big 4 Recruitment immediately. Whether you’re entering college or you’re a Senior, there’s things you can be doing to set yourself up for a successful Big 4 recruiting season. The Big 4 recruitment seasons takes place from September to November for full-time offers, and January to March for internships. Sophomores can also apply for the Sophomore programs in the spring. The Sophomore program is usually 2 days, and leads to an internship the following summer if the Big 4 firm is impressed with you. The Big 4 will recruit heavily at particular schools, and completely ignore other schools. If you plan to master the Big 4 recruitment process, you need the Big 4 Insider Recruiting Secrets guide. Your future career is worth investing in.

Here’s a discussion from Accounting.com that may give you some insight into the process:

Topic: Best time for Big 4 Recruitment Posted By: zman372
Subject: Best time for Big 4 Recruitment
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 7:13am
I just graduated with my BS in Economics in May and am taking the required Accounting classes at my Community College. I should have the 150 hours in December. I plan on starting to take the CPA exam as soon as I am finished with the classes and hope to be done with it by the end of the next summer.

When is the best time for me to apply to the Big 4 for jobs ( I live in Chicago)?

When would I be able to start at Big 4?

Thanks

Replies: Posted By: SJFC07
Subject: Best time for Big 4 Recruitment
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 7:56am
You’re going to have to be very proactive to have any shot at big 4 if you are not associated with the on-campus recruiting period that takes place from September to November each year.

Assuming you do get a job, it depends on the firm. My big 4 firm only lets you start in September, regardless of when you graduated. Other firms let you start in January if you graduated in Dec. or June if you graduated in May.

There are a lot of spots open in the Chicago office, but just so you know, those offices go out to UIllinois, Notre Dame, and Indiana (among others) to recruit, so you definitely need to contact the offices now to have any shot of landing a job.

Posted By: zman372
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 8:25am
How should I go about applying?

Should I call the HR dept. or should I apply online or both?

What else can I do to have a better chance?

What firm do u work for SFJC07?

Posted By: SJFC07
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 8:30am
I am going to work for PwC in Sept. The firm I was referring to as “the other firm” is E&Y. I do not know the policies for the other two.

I would say call them, as opposed to e-mailing. Also, fill out their online profile, but they will get thousands of those, so make sure you call them directly. The websites should have numbers to call, or you can check your phone book if you are in the city.

Have you ever thought of getting up to 150 credits by getting a masters in accounting? I only say this becuase if you get your masters, you will haev the benefit of going through recruiting, which makes it a lot easier to get a full time job.

Posted By: zman372
Subject: Best time for Big 4 Recruitment
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 8:49am

The major reason that I am not going to get my masters in accounting is because of the cost. I dont have the kinda of money to pay for it, I already have student loans for my undergrad so I am trying to do this because it is very inexpensive.
Thank you very much for all the info SFJC07.

Does anyone else know about the hiring policies for KPMG and Deloitte?

Posted By: aswedc
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 9:24am
Hit up some career fairs this fall. Even ones for other schools, I know in my area none of them check ID or anything. It’ll be a good way to get some in person time with the recruiters.

Posted By: Big4 Employee
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 10:53am
Search through some of my earlier posts on this topic. Also, it depends on what region of the country you’re in. For instance, here in the midwest all the recruiting is done in the fall. However, I hear that in California they recruit during the spring.

Posted By: aswedc
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 11:16am
There is fall recruiting in CA.

Posted By: Big4 Employee
Subject: Best time for Big 4 Recruitment
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 7:26pm
Originally posted by aswedc

There is fall recruiting in CA.

Really?!? That’s interesting. A while ago I was posting regarding when people are recruited, and I mentioned how all the firms have their people picked by November, and I had all these people in California correcting me, saying they recruit during the spring. So, I assumed that it was a regional difference, and that things were done differently on the west coast.

So, do they recruit both during the fall and spring, or just during the fall? In the Midwest and Southeast it’s only during the fall–all the firms (especially Big4) have their new interns and staff 1s picked by Thanksgiving.

Posted By: aswedc
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2007 at 9:06pm
Yeah. I know a person that did interviews in the fall. I’m not there though, so I’m sure Auger could come in here and give you a more complete answer.

Posted By: Inko
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2007 at 4:40pm
Big4 they recruit in August/September for S.F. mostly. The Interns they recruit in early Spring.

Posted By: DrOrCr
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2007 at 7:47pm
Darn. Due to scheduling at my school, I can’t get my BA in accounting until Fall Quarter of this year. Will the Big 4 even consider me if I don’t have my degree on time?

Posted By: aswedc
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2007 at 8:09pm
Of course they will, most people get their offers before they graduate.

Posted By: lean
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2007 at 9:00pm
hi, I have a question regarding big 4 recruitment.
Do any of you know if big 4 hires co-op intern for busy season (starting January)? How should I apply for these positions if they’re not advertised on campus?
As some of you said, big 4 recruiting time is Sep-Nov, but that’s to start from Sep of next year, if someone wants to start right that January can they do that?
I’m doing an MS in Accounting program in Boston, but I want to work in NYC, any suggestions in applying process?
Thanks.

Posted By: Big4 Employee
Date Posted: 25 Jun 2007 at 10:27am
Originally posted by lean

hi, I have a question regarding big 4 recruitment.
Do any of you know if big 4 hires co-op intern for busy season (starting January)? How should I apply for these positions if they’re not advertised on campus?
As some of you said, big 4 recruiting time is Sep-Nov, but that’s to start from Sep of next year, if someone wants to start right that January can they do that?
I’m doing an MS in Accounting program in Boston, but I want to work in NYC, any suggestions in applying process?
Thanks.

1.) They call them internships (not co-ops), but yes, from January through April.

2.) Call the local offices of the Big 4 firms you want to work for (i.e. if you want to work in Houston, then call all of the Big 4 offices in Houston). You can get their numbers and addresses off the “locations” page on their website.

3.) Generally, fall recruiting covers those starting with internships or full-time jobs between the coming January and the coming September (i.e. this fall they will recruit for start dates between January 2008 and September 2008).

4.) Call the NYC office(s) then. Just be prepared to answer them when they ask you why you want to work in NYC.

Big 4 Accounting Recruiting

Admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:22:11 +0000

Big 4 accounting recruiting may very well be the most important thing you do in your career. Choosing to pursue a career in Big 4 accounting is a wise decision for any business student to make. You must be careful though. Many students will start recruiting for a Big 4 accounting position without adequately preparing themselves. Students often assume that the process will be like other recruiting experiences they have had. Assuming this is a mistake. Big 4 accounting recruiting is a different breed of recruiting, and thus, must be treated as such.

Your interview will focus on behavioral questions. If you’d like help preparing for these types of questions I highly recommend the Big 4 Insider Recruiting Secrets guide. Good grades and activities are not enough to get you an internship any longer. Six years ago, accounting firms were recruiting heavily and taking anyone they could because they had to grow quickly to fulfill the new work they were given with Sarbox. Now, the Big 4 are able to be much more selective about their hiring and thus, Big 4 recruiting is as competitive as ever.