Big 4 Recruiting Season Starts Now!!

December 28th, 2011

Finals are over and winter break is here. For all you students that means it is time to relax, right? Not so fast. It is critical that you begin thinking about your plans for next summer or after graduation, depending on your year.

The beginning of the next semester will bring one of the most important times in the Big 4 recruiting process: the spring recruiting season. This process, which typically spans January through March, is when the majority of the summer internship positions for the following summer are filled, as well as the full-time positions for the following year. If you are in your junior year, you are the prime candidate for a summer internship in the summer of 2012. If you’re in your senior or 5th year (Masters), the hiring process for 2012 positions is beginning.

If you haven’t already, check out our eBook, the Big 4 Guru’s Book of Secrets. This will give you all the information you need on how to get your foot in the door of the recruiting process and successfully navigate the Big 4 meet-and-greets, interviews and everything else that makes up the Spring Recruiting season. If you take away one thing from this post, let it be this: it is NOT TOO EARLY TO START PREPARING.

Thanks and best of luck!

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Big 4 All-Star Tip: Execute Most Important Tasks First Thing in the Morning

August 29th, 2011

This Tip is from the book “Working for the Big 4: The First Year All-Star” A Battle Plan to Be #1 in Your Class

Another difficult adjustment to working for the Big 4 is a lack of predictability. You never quite know where your day may take you. There are many days that you will end up being further behind than when you started, many hours ago. To make the most progress, it is imperative to identify the handful of items that are the most important. Every morning when you arrive at work, ask yourself this question:

“When I am leaving the office tonight, what do I want to have complete. What items am I thinking about now that I want to have closure on by then.”

Typically, asking yourself this question will immediately bring up one or two things that you’ve either been putting off or are not looking forward to for some reason. Maybe there is a complicated procedure that you don’t quite understand. You know you have to ask for help on it and you are sort of just hoping that you can avoid that conversation. Maybe there is a request that you need to put out to the client that you know they are not going to like. When you have so much to do at the Big 4, it is easy to keep pushing these important tasks aside by busying yourself with other less important work. So, while you are still fresh in the morning, take the advice of Nike and “just do it.” Fight the urge to do something else, acknowledge that you may temporarily feel uncomfortable while you’re doing it, but remind yourself that you will feel so much better once it is done.

It is a rare occasion in the Big 4 when you are actually caught up on all of your work. Most days you will leave with as much if not more work than you had when you came in that morning. Over time you will become accustomed to this feeling of having your “mental cache” constantly filled with information and tasks. The only way to make yourself feel better, and feel like you’ve made progress during the day, is to tackle those items that are really bogging you down. When you leave at night, you will feel a million times bigger if your mental cache is filled with easy, low-priority tasks, rather than big, looming tasks that you are dreading.

To learn how to be a “First Year All-Star” please visit: http://big4guru.com/first_year_all-star

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Two Hours in the Big 4

August 25th, 2011

I often get the question “What is it like to work for the Big 4?” In many ways, working for the Big 4 is like working in a hurricane. Sometimes you’re in the “eye of the storm” and things are calm and relatively laid back. However, it is only a matter of time before the storm shifts and your world is turned upside down. Professionals at the Big 4, as is the case with other professional services firms, are at the constant mercy of their clients and their bosses. You will be pulled in a thousand directions every day and have a series of conflicting demands on your time. What follows is an example of a typical two hours in the life of a Big 4 First Year. This is an excerpt from my new book ‘Working for the Big 4 – The First Year All-Star’

You arrive at the client site at 7:45 AM. You are the first one there so you have the luxury of getting your laptop booted up and connected to the client’s wireless network in peace. You open up your email and see that you received an e-mail from the Senior at 11:45 the night before. This is somewhat surprising since you went home at 11:30 PM and assumed that things would be quiet overnight. You open the e-mail and it is a message to the whole team stating that the Sr. Manager will be “in the database” that day and to make sure all your documentation is up to date. You breathe a sigh of relief because, unlike many of the other First Years, your documentation is top notch and up to date. [You will learn about the ‘Database’ and ‘Documentation’ in the next chapter]. While you’re reading this message you get another e-mail from the Senior, this time it is from his Blackberry. It states:

“Hey. The Sr. Manager is actually going to be coming out to the client today, can you get coffee for him and I. I don’t know how he take his coffee.”

You reply “Yes” and grab your keys. As you’re about to walk out the door another e-mail pops up. You decide to give open it, against your better judgment. It is the Controller of the client, Sean. He has some information for you regarding the request that you sent to Barbara the accounting manager yesterday for copies of 100 invoices:

“I spoke with Barbara yesterday and we are both concerned that you are asking for too much information. Last year the auditors only looked at 50 invoices and they made their own copies. Barbara will choose 50 of the 100 that you requested and copy them for you by tomorrow afternoon.”

There are five things wrong with this e-mail. 1) The firm’s audit guide specifically requires that you test 100 invoices to gain comfort on the account; 2) Even if you could get away with testing 50 invoices, Barbara wouldn’t be the one to choose which 50, you would; 3) When you spoke with Barbara yesterday she seemed happy to make the copies, why did she run to her boss and complain?; 4) Barbara had promised that the copies would be done first thing that morning, now it is going to take an extra day, which is a problem because… 5) You suspect that there is an issue with the account and it would have been the perfect opportunity to discuss with the Sr. Manager today.

While you mentally process the implications of the e-mail (e.g. have to smooth over whatever is bugging Barbara, have to respond to the Controller, copying the Senior, to explain why the 100 invoices are needed, have to offer to make the copies yourself) you briskly walk out to your car to head to Starbucks. You realize that you don’t know how the Senior takes his coffee either. You determine that the best approach will be to get two large black coffees and then bring back an assortment of sugar, Splenda and half-half. You pray that neither of them takes skim milk or soy milk in their coffee. You spend your time in line thinking about the other items that need to get done that day.

You arrive at the client site just as the Senior is pulling into the parking lot. He says that he wanted to talk to you about some items and begins to rattle off a list of suggestions and issues that there is no way you can keep up with. You cling to the most important phrases and feel like you have enough information to make an attempt at what he is requesting. Your first lucky break of the day comes when the Senior reveals his preference for black coffee and is happy with your choice.

Back at your desk you check your email and you don’t have any. At this point that is probably a good sign. Then you realize that your computer somehow got logged off the wireless network. You log back in and have a handful of new emails. There is one e-mail from the firm’s HR department, reminding you that you need to take an online ethics training class. You file this as a low priority and move onto the next e-mail, this one is from the Partner:

Team,

Thanks for all your hard work on the engagement. I just wanted to remind everyone to be mindful of the requests that we are putting out to the client. We must make sure to test smartly and efficiently so we don’t put any undue burden on the accounting department.

Uh-oh, did Sean talk to the Partner? If so it is an almost certainty that the Controller did not accurately describe the situation and most likely implied that you were putting out ridiculous requests. Ugh.

You finally begin to work on the assignments that you had planned for the day. You begin performing some audit procedure using the information that you collected the prior day. Just as you begin getting into a good flow the Sr. Manager walks in. You hand him his coffee and he adds one sugar. He seems to be looking around for some milk. Great. He doesn’t sit down right away but stands in the corner of the room with his blue blazer on, furiously flipping through his Blackberry. Without even looking up he speaks in your general direction and says, “Hey, Sean forwarded me an email. I hear you’re killing Barbara with invoice requests.” Before you can respond he says, “Don’t worry, Sean likes to push back on everything, just explain what you’re doing and he should be OK. Copy me on the response in case he has any follow-up.”

Phew. That takes care of one headache. You quickly crank out an e-mail, briefly and succinctly explaining to Sean why you need the 100 invoices and copy the Senior and Sr. Manager. You’re feeling more confident in your choice so you don’t bother to offer to make the copies yourself.

Finally, you return to your work. It is now 9:45 and you’re back to the position you started at two hours ago. Fortunately, you have another 10 hours before you can go home!

For information on how to become a First Year All Star, CLICK HERE
For information on how to land a job with the Big 4, CLICK HERE

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New Book: Working for the Big 4: The First Year All-Star

August 20th, 2011

It has been over three years since the initial release of our Big 4 Hiring Guide. Thousands of readers and several version updates later, we are thrilled to announce our second book. We have spent these past years listening to our readers and helping them land the job of their dreams. However, time and time again we get the question, “I just got hired with PwC (or EY, Deloitte, KPMG) – now what?!” Our readers want to know what they can expect in their first year with the Big 4 and how they can maintain their “Big 4 Guru” edge and rise to the top of their class. Well, we now have an answer:

Working for the Big 4: The First Year All-Star
A Battle Plan to Be #1 In Your Class

Below is an excerpt from the introduction of the book. For more information and to read the entire first chapter, please visit http://big4guru.com/first_year_all-star

INTRODUCTION

You will learn more in your first year with the Big 4 than you learned in 4 or 5 years of college. In fact, you may learn more in your first month. Take everything you know about accounting, all the debits and credits, all the journal entries, and throw them out the window. Working for the Big 4 is a whole new world and for the first year associate it is an exhilarating miasma of stress and glory.

The Big 4 Firms are organized in “classes.” The people who start working with the firm at your level at the time that you do will become your “class” in the firm. You will spend countless hours with your class, go to trainings with your class, hang out at firm social events with your class and become great friends with (some) of your class. However, you’ll also be ranked against the other members of your class and compete for projects and promotions with your class. There will come a day when some members of your class are promoted and some are not. The impression you make in your first year with the Big 4 and your standing in “the class,” will set the tone for your career with the Big 4. Want to put yourself on the fast track? Become the All-Star in your class.

What is the All-Star?

Every class in the Big 4 has at least one All-Star. It is not something that is talked about openly, but it is understood by everyone. The All-Star is the person in each class who turns the head of the Seniors and Managers. The All-Star is one of the few names in the new class that trickle up to the conversations of the partners. The All-Star is the associate that the Seniors fight over when building their teams. The All-Star is the person that even the Experienced Associates fear, because they take work away from them. Most importantly, the All-Star is the one that gets ranked #1 during the annual performance review, gets the biggest raise and is the fastest to be promoted.

Who is the All-Star?

Everyone wants to be the All-Star and everyone thinks they will be the All-Star. Most Big 4 employees are used to being the best in their class, used to winning at everything they do. They assume that since they stood out in college, they will stand out in their career. Unfortunately, the whole firm is made up of people who were at the top of their class in school. So who becomes the All-Star? The All-Star is the person that combines hard-work, insight, social skills and accounting knowledge to become a trusted member of their team. The All-Star builds a rapport with their Senior and is trusted with advanced work. The All-Star knows that while the number of hours he works is important, it is what he does in those hours that will set him apart. The All-Star knows how to utilize often overlooked firm resources to give him a huge, but fair, advantage over the rest of the class. The All-Star knows how to navigate the many social events of the firm, including team lunches, golf outings and holiday parties.

What Does it Take to be the All-Star?

Becoming the All-Star requires a fierce determination. The All-Star cannot be complacent to just “get the job done” or “do what everyone else does.” The All-Star cannot get his work done in a timely and concise manner and consider himself done. The All-Star must decide early on that he will be playing a different game than his peers. He must think 5 moves ahead of them. When everyone else is worried about their first-year performance appraisal, the All-Star is already thinking like a partner.

The Pyramid vs. the Ladder

You often hear the phrase “climbing the corporate ladder. There is no ladder in the Big4. Instead, there is a pyramid. On the top of the pyramid are partners and on the bottom are first year associates. As you move up the pyramid to experienced associates, then to senior associates, managers, senior managers, and directors, the pyramid shrinks. Why is that? Because not everyone can move up in the Big 4. At the Big 4 you either move “up” the pyramid or walk “out” the door. It is that simple. While this may sound harsh, it is a reality of the Big 4 model. Not every first year can become a partner. This is bad news for some and great news forthe All-Star. Why is that? Because at the very, very top of the pyramid there is a great party and only All-Stars are invited.

Do you want to be the All-Star?

If you are interested in being the All-Star of your class, then this book is for you. The tone of this book is that of a friend talking to a friend. I will teach you how you can become the All-Star in your class and give you the tools to blaze your own trail and rise to the top. I hope you’re ready for the ride of your life!

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To Continue Reading Please Visit http://big4guru.com/first_year_all-star

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New: Practice Big 4 Phone Interviews

August 16th, 2011

Do you have an interview with the Big 4 and want to put your interview skills to the test in a challenging but pressure-free environment? Maybe you want to get a sneak preview of what you can expect in the real Big 4 interview? We’re here to help!

The Big 4 Guru Practice Interview program provides the opportunity to challenge yourself with a half hour phone interview with a Big 4 alumni. The interview will simulate a real Big 4 interview. You will be asked similar questions to those that you would face in a real Big 4 interview. Following the interview you will receive a detailed evaluation which you can use to prepare for your real Big 4 interview. Candidates are judged on personality, professionalism, accounting knowledge and “Big 4″ fit. You will receive a score on each question that you are asked and candid feedback on how your answers could be improved.

Special Discount: For those of you who have purchased the Big 4 Guru eBook within the past 2 years, you will receive a 20% discount. This offer is only available for a limited time. As usual, send me an e-mail @ big4guru@yahoo.com if you have any questions. Thanks.

CLICK HERE for more information

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Big 4 Fall Recruiting Starts Now!

August 3rd, 2011

July is over and August is here. For all you students that means summer jobs are wrapping up and it is time to start thinking about returning to campus. While summer isn’t even over yet, it is critical that you begin thinking about your plans for next summer or after graduation, depending on your year.

The beginning of the new semester brings the most important time in the Big 4 recruiting process: the fall recruiting season. This process, which typically spans September through November, is when the majority of the summer internship positions for the following summer are filled, as well as the full-time positions for the following year. If you will be entering your sophomore year this fall, you are the prime candidate for a summer internship in the summer of 2012. If you’re entering your senior or 5th year (Masters), the hiring process for 2012 full-time positions will be beginning in September.

If you haven’t already, check out our eBook, the Big 4 Guru’s Book of Secrets. This will give you all the information you need on how to get your foot in the door of the recruiting process and successfully navigate the Big 4 meet-and-greets, interviews and everything else that makes up the Fall Recruiting season. If you take away one thing from this post, let it be this: it is NOT TOO EARLY TO START PREPARING.

Thanks and best of luck!

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Big4Guru.com is three years old!

May 21st, 2011

Big4Guru.Com is celebrating three years of helping accounting students, graduates and professionals land the job of their dreams. Thanks to our all readers!

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The difference between a Campus Interview and an Office Visit

September 2nd, 2010

From the Big4Guru.com Vault

Campus interviews are typically held on college campuses or 3rd party sites. They are not often conducted at the office of the Big 4. For the campus interview, you will likely be dealing with a recruiter who does this everyday. He is the gateway to the firm – the first level of screening between you and the office visit/ follow-up interview. He knows how important this interview is to you and will want to see how you handle yourself under pressure.

The tone of your interview is likely to be more conversational than fact based. Don’t expect to get any technical accounting questions unless it pertains to something on your resume. Like the meet and greet, the recruiter will be attempting to judge how you handle yourself in a social setting.

Campus interviews are typically the first step in the interview process. If this goes well you will be invited to a follow-up interview in the office of the firm. These interviews are typically with actual Big 4 staff, not recruiters. You will likely speak with both a mid-level employee (senior associate or manager) and a senior manager or partner. These interviews are designed to measure your accounting aptitude, skill set and likelihood of success with the firm.

Impressing the auditors is different than impressing the HR department. These people have been where you are and know first-hand what you are in store for. Because of this, they will be looking for a specific set of skills. In order to be successful in these interviews, it will be necessary to show them that you possess these skills.

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The Big 4 “Senior Associate Bond”

August 18th, 2010

On a Thursday afternoon in my internship training, our instructor, a Senior Associate, spent some time talking about the relationship that develops between senior associates and first and second year associates. More or less, he said the following:

“Throughout your first couple years with the firm, you will have the opportunity to work with many Seniors. You will learn more from these people than anyone else in the firm. At some point, you will find that one Senior who you click with 100% and a mentor relationship will develop.”

I remembered these words throughout my internship and by the end of the summer I asked myself: “have I found that Senior who I click with 100%.” I had to honestly say that the answer was ‘No.’ While I enjoyed working with many of the Seniors, I could tell that other interns had hit it off better with the Seniors than I had. Somewhat discouraged, though ultimately thrilled at having had a great summer, returned to my final year of college with a full-time offer in hand.

Fast forward one year and I’m working full time. My second engagement was a large fortune 500 company. Our office had a team of about 15-20 staff who I worked the engagement full-time, year-round. There were 4 seniors on the job each responsible for 2-3 associates.

My Senior was one of the smartest people I had ever worked with. More importantly, I realized that he made everyone around him smarter as well (a common trait in Big 4 employees). The discussions we had, regardless of the complexity of the issue, were always focused and intense. He took the time to explain to me not only what I had to do, but why I was doing it and how it contributed to the big picture of the audit.

He taught me how to ask the right questions of the client and gave me confidence to hold my ground with our contacts at the client, some of whom had been with the company longer than I’d been alive. Working with him, I finally felt like I had finally bridged the gap from college student to accounting professional. I worked hard to impress him and always, always made sure to ask if I could help him with his work when my work was done. Finally, I had found my Senior-mentor.

He and I worked together off and on that first year and then we both rolled off to other clients. He was a mentor to me during my time with the Big 4 and we’ve stayed in contact now that we have both left the firm. We talked many times about how well we worked together. He told me that when he was a first year he had a Senior who worked the same way and they had a similar bond. Likewise, I worked with the associates under me in the same manner, passing the torch on to the next class. This is one of the most important parts of working for the Big 4. There is so much collective knowledge that is passed through the ranks year to year. This is one of the reasons Big 4 alumni are valued so high in the marketplace. and why some companies will only hire those with Big 4 experience.

Writing this post makes me nostalgic for my days with the Big 4. The comradery, learning and excitement of those years with the Big 4 has never been matched in the roles I’ve had since I left. To all of you hoping to land a job with the Big 4, I truly wish you the best of luck. If you haven’t already read our Big 4 Hiring Guide, I urge you to check it out.

As always, thanks for reading.

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Big 4 Mail Bag: Do Summer Interns Always Receive a Full-Time Offer

August 15th, 2010

Question:

Do Big 4 Summer Interns always receive a full-time offer at the end of the summer?

Answer:

Big 4 summer internships are, without a doubt, the best way to land a full-time offer. Typically, the candidates chosen for the internship are looked on as “the best” in the pool of candidates that year. Accordingly, the internship is a way to woo these candidates and convince them to start their career with the firm. In that regard, it can be said that all Big 4 interns have the potential to land a full-time offer at the end of the summer.

It is rare, but sometimes an intern can perform so poorly that an offer is not extended. This is most likely to occur as a result of a poor attitude (rather than poor “accounting” performance). The expectation placed on interns, in terms of proving their accounting knowledge, is fairly low. So much of what makes the Big 4 the best place to start a career has to do with how much is learned on the job. Accordingly, the expectation is that interns just starting with the firm do not have much experience or expertise. The point of the internship is to judge whether the candidates will be able to represent the firm in a positive manner to clients. So, the easiest way to mess up an internship and not receive an offer is to have a poor attitude. I’ve seen interns who either act too arrogant or make the mistake of not taking the internship seriously. This behavior is a red flag to your employer that you will not be an effective worker and will not represent the firm well to clients.

The main takeaway here is that interns are almost guaranteed a full-time offer, if they play their cards well. Those lucky enough to land an internship can consider themselves well on their way to a full-time offer by simply being friendly, conscientious, professional, polite and serious about one’s work.

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