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Studying for an accounting degree is a smart move in today’s economy since the industry has retained healthy employment numbers and the median pay for individuals working in accounting is also robust at around $62,000 a year. It is the goal of many accounting graduates to work as a Certified Public Accountant at one of the ‘Big Four” accounting firms, but landing a job at one of these lauded firms requires some strategy from the job applicant.
Named for their impressive size and international reach, the Big Four accounting firms include the following public accounting firms:
- Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
- Ernst & Young
- KPMG
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
Each of these firms offers many accounting-related services such as auditing, corporate tax submissions, and tax preparation services for individuals of high net worth. Additionally, these firms have been growing efforts in operational consulting for an even more impressive reach into the financial health of businesses around the world.
Grades Aren’t Everything
Graduating college with a 4.0 GPA and multiple accolades looks terrific on a resume, yet it isn’t the only factor that will influence whether an applicant is able to land an interview with one of the Big Four. Impressive grades do provide benefit during the hiring process; however, a student cannot rely upon stellar academic performance to gain entry into the ranks of the Big Four.
One factor that has the potential to dramatically increase the likelihood of an interview is networking before graduation. Additionally, landing an internship at one of the Big Four during a summer holiday is incredibly valuable for any student who wishes to land on the Big Four’s doorstep after graduation.
Understanding the Hiring Process
For students who have worked hard to build relationships and network with recruitment officers at the Big Four, it’s important to understand how these entities go about the hiring process each year. The firms will base hiring numbers upon a variety of factors that include:
- Current economic trends
- Expected company growth and expansion
- Vacancies created by retirement and departure
Landing the Interview
It can’t be stressed enough how important internships and networking are for landing an interview with one of the Big Four. The likelihood of being called in for an interview is drastically reduced for students who haven’t worked as an intern before graduation. Additionally, students who haven’t attempted to meet with recruiters a few times during school probably won’t find a spot on the interview list at graduation.
Role of the Internet
Personal networking, internships, and an interview are all necessary components of getting hired at one of the Big Four; however, the internet also plays a vital role in the application process. The firms tend to require that applicants fill out a profile online before hiring season begins.
Unlike many interviews where a recruiter or human resources manager might have just glanced at a resume before conducting an interview, the average Big Four recruiter already knows a lot about a prospective job applicant at the time of the meeting.
A successful interview and eventual job offer from one of the Big Four accounting firms is a years-long process that begins the moment a future accountant steps onto his college campus. By the time a student interviews with a Big Four recruiter, he or she should be able to greet the recruiter as a prior acquaintance.
