Almost every day, I get a question that sounds a little bit like this, "Big 4 Guru, what questions will I be asked in an interview with the Big 4 Accounting Firms?"
In the book above, I go into detail over 15 questions that I have seen the Big 4 ask, as well as the responses you should be giving. I also cover tons of examples of the questions you should ask them which is an important piece.
Is this firm your first choice?
Tell me about yourself?
Is this the office you want to work for?
The recruiting structure of most Big 4's is on a regional basis and the recruiter has a territory they are responsible for.
How long have you been in University?
It turns out that my interviewer was only responsible for hiring for a handful of small regional offices and not the NYC office. If I said I was considering the NY office, he would have been unable to hire me. At best, I could have only hoped that he would forward my resume to another recruiter and start the whole interviewing process again. In conclusion, know where you want to work and make sure you are in front of the right interviewer. As a general rule, the best place to say you want to work, is in the city where you are in University. Typically, the recruiter is responsible for a city and has connections to get you in. Then, once you are an intern or starting full time and have the offers secured, you can ask to be moved to another office.
Why are you here and why do you want to work for this company?
*BEING PERSONABLE IS KEY* Here's an example:
This is usually the first question they ask. It is a good idea to have a confident response to this question as it is usually right out of the gates. Write a response that takes you 30 seconds to repeat and memorize. This will be your elevator pitch. Use the format below:
Where are you from
I also plan to have my CPA license by that time. I have learned so much about KPMG from the on campus meetings I've attended and speaking with (insert name of someone who is a more junior person at the firm, not a partner), who was a past intern. I am very excited to be here today and interview with you."
What is your year in University
Before my interview with PwC, I was discussing with a Big 4 alumnus that I was considering both the NYC office as well as an office in a smaller city, near my parent's house. "Good for you" he said, "if you are interested in cutting your chance of getting the job in half."
The recruiting structure of most Big 4 accounting firms is on a regional basis. For example, the recruiter that you are interviewing with has a territory that she is responsible for and she is not very interested about helping her peers in other regions. It is likely that they will ask you which office you want to work for.
Make sure the person you are interviewing with gets the right story from you, and they have jurisdiction over you choice of office. In conclusion, the recruiter is responsible for the city where he/she lives. So if you want to work somewhere else, get the offer locally first.
My goal is to work for Deloitte in the Hartford office after graduation. I have learned so much about Deloitte from the on campus meetings I've attended and speaking with (insert name), who was a past intern. I am very excited to be here today and have to the opportunity to speak with you."
You need to have reasons for this, even if you are unsure. If they ask if you are interviewing with other companies, tell them that you are interviewing with other big 4 firms, as well as some local, and regional firms. Try to avoid naming them but do not make it up and get caught in a lie. If you are actively pursuing other Big 4 accounting firms, no need to tell them. While you are there you are only interested in that firm. You may be tempted to tell the interviewer other firms are interested. They are more likely to take this as a sign that you are not committed and that you do not have them at the top of your list
In the book above, I go into detail over 15 questions that I have seen the Big 4 ask, as well as the responses you should be giving. I also cover tons of examples of the questions you should ask them which is an important piece.
Is this firm your first choice?
Tell me about yourself?
Is this the office you want to work for?
The recruiting structure of most Big 4's is on a regional basis and the recruiter has a territory they are responsible for.
How long have you been in University?
It turns out that my interviewer was only responsible for hiring for a handful of small regional offices and not the NYC office. If I said I was considering the NY office, he would have been unable to hire me. At best, I could have only hoped that he would forward my resume to another recruiter and start the whole interviewing process again. In conclusion, know where you want to work and make sure you are in front of the right interviewer. As a general rule, the best place to say you want to work, is in the city where you are in University. Typically, the recruiter is responsible for a city and has connections to get you in. Then, once you are an intern or starting full time and have the offers secured, you can ask to be moved to another office.
Why are you here and why do you want to work for this company?
*BEING PERSONABLE IS KEY* Here's an example:
This is usually the first question they ask. It is a good idea to have a confident response to this question as it is usually right out of the gates. Write a response that takes you 30 seconds to repeat and memorize. This will be your elevator pitch. Use the format below:
Where are you from
I also plan to have my CPA license by that time. I have learned so much about KPMG from the on campus meetings I've attended and speaking with (insert name of someone who is a more junior person at the firm, not a partner), who was a past intern. I am very excited to be here today and interview with you."
What is your year in University
Before my interview with PwC, I was discussing with a Big 4 alumnus that I was considering both the NYC office as well as an office in a smaller city, near my parent's house. "Good for you" he said, "if you are interested in cutting your chance of getting the job in half."
The recruiting structure of most Big 4 accounting firms is on a regional basis. For example, the recruiter that you are interviewing with has a territory that she is responsible for and she is not very interested about helping her peers in other regions. It is likely that they will ask you which office you want to work for.
Make sure the person you are interviewing with gets the right story from you, and they have jurisdiction over you choice of office. In conclusion, the recruiter is responsible for the city where he/she lives. So if you want to work somewhere else, get the offer locally first.
My goal is to work for Deloitte in the Hartford office after graduation. I have learned so much about Deloitte from the on campus meetings I've attended and speaking with (insert name), who was a past intern. I am very excited to be here today and have to the opportunity to speak with you."
You need to have reasons for this, even if you are unsure. If they ask if you are interviewing with other companies, tell them that you are interviewing with other big 4 firms, as well as some local, and regional firms. Try to avoid naming them but do not make it up and get caught in a lie. If you are actively pursuing other Big 4 accounting firms, no need to tell them. While you are there you are only interested in that firm. You may be tempted to tell the interviewer other firms are interested. They are more likely to take this as a sign that you are not committed and that you do not have them at the top of your list
About the Author:
Before you begin interviewing with the big 4 accounting firms (and other small firms and private companies), make sure you've read my book which has been the book since '08 and helped thousands of students get hired with the big 4 accounting firms (and other small firms and private companies): http://www.big4guru.com/big-4-hiring-guide/
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