Each day, I get trove of emails from new Big 4 Accounting Firm hopefuls and go a little bit like this, "What questions will I be asked in a Big 4 Accounting Firms interview?" So to post it out there for everyone to see, here is an article that should help out! Before we get started let me also recommend the full version of this information in my book, "The Interview" which you can purchase at my website.
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 office your first choice?
Tell me about yourself?
This is almost always the first question they ask. It is a good idea to have a succinct and smooth when responding to this question. This written and memorized speech is your elevator pitch. Follow this format:
Where are you originally from?
How long have you been in University?
What job do you currently have?
If you are actively pursuing other Big 4, regional companies, or small firms, keep this to yourself. While you are there, you are only interested in their firm. You may be tempted to bait the interviewer by appearing impressive that you have interviewed with some of the others, but they are more likely to take this as a sign that you are not committed.
*BEING PERSONABLE IS KEY* Here's an example:
"My name is Bill, and I am from Kansas. I'm a senior at the University of Kansas and will be graduating with an accounting degree in May. I have already passed half the CPA exam. I had no idea I wanted to do accounting. I started out as pre-med.
I suffered through science classes, and accounting was easy. I understood it, and it spoke to me. That is when I switched my major to accounting. My goal is to work for KPMG in the Wichita office after graduation.
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."
Is our office your first choice?
Why are you interested in working for this company
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.
Is this firm your first choice?
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 office your first choice?
Tell me about yourself?
This is almost always the first question they ask. It is a good idea to have a succinct and smooth when responding to this question. This written and memorized speech is your elevator pitch. Follow this format:
Where are you originally from?
How long have you been in University?
What job do you currently have?
If you are actively pursuing other Big 4, regional companies, or small firms, keep this to yourself. While you are there, you are only interested in their firm. You may be tempted to bait the interviewer by appearing impressive that you have interviewed with some of the others, but they are more likely to take this as a sign that you are not committed.
*BEING PERSONABLE IS KEY* Here's an example:
"My name is Bill, and I am from Kansas. I'm a senior at the University of Kansas and will be graduating with an accounting degree in May. I have already passed half the CPA exam. I had no idea I wanted to do accounting. I started out as pre-med.
I suffered through science classes, and accounting was easy. I understood it, and it spoke to me. That is when I switched my major to accounting. My goal is to work for KPMG in the Wichita office after graduation.
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."
Is our office your first choice?
Why are you interested in working for this company
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.
Is this firm your first choice?
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, small firms, and private companies, make sure you've read my top selling book which has been the top selling book since '08 and helped hundreds, even thousands of students get hired with the Big 4 accounting firms, small firms, and private companies: http://www.big4guru.com/big-4-hiring-guide/
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