What should I do to prepare for a Big Four Interview?

Originally Posted by wawaweewa

Those saying that the Big 4 don't ask question relating to accounting are correct.
I was finance/econ but a lot of my friends were accounting, a bunch went to intern interviews with the big 4 and not one received any substantial grilling on accounting methodology/knowledge.
At first i thought it a bit weird but I guess they want a 'clean slate' and teach the intern their way of cooking the boo...erm... doing business.

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Originally Posted by wawaweewa

Those saying that the Big 4 don't ask question relating to accounting are correct.
I was finance/econ but a lot of my friends were accounting, a bunch went to intern interviews with the big 4 and not one received any substantial grilling on accounting methodology/knowledge.
At first i thought it a bit weird but I guess they want a 'clean slate' and teach the intern their way of cooking the boo...erm... doing business.

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by LazyJ10

Originally Posted by wawaweewa

Those saying that the Big 4 don't ask question relating to accounting are correct.
I was finance/econ but a lot of my friends were accounting, a bunch went to intern interviews with the big 4 and not one received any substantial grilling on accounting methodology/knowledge.
At first i thought it a bit weird but I guess they want a 'clean slate' and teach the intern their way of cooking the boo...erm... doing business.

Click to expand...

We're hardly a big 4, and we don't really ask much outside of some simple booking questions like an acquisition of a fixed asset and the related depreciation.
We assume we can teach you whatever based on the industry and assume you can learn it because you took the right curriculum.

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ts kinda true, and kinda isn't. I remember they wanted to know you experience and education. I don't remember getting asked questions about rules, procedures, announcements etc. What i will tell you, is if you intern, prepare to start at the lower level and do ALOT of paperwork. Since they are the BIG 4, they all have specialized fields and you'll be required to learn info about that field..

If you want to talk about difficult, try to work for the IRS..They had me doing tax returns to even interview...

Angel

Being serious here it's prob. because entry level accounting can be taught to almost anyone. It's akin to the vast majority of other jobs.

A few of my friends were actuary majors and when they interned the firms wanted them to already have the level 1 and 2 exams done. Actuarial science involves alot of high level math so it's tough to teach that on the job. That's what school is for in terms of the firms view.

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Originally Posted by LazyJ10

Originally Posted by Skip2MyLou23

I have a phone interview with one of the Big Four accounting firms. I've already looked at their website to get an idea of them. Can you guys share some interview tips/ techniques you used for your Big 4 interview or just interviews with any firm/company in general?

Edit: If it matters, it's for a summer internship.

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Don't pick up the phone.

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Originally Posted by wawaweewa

Originally Posted by LazyJ10

Originally Posted by wawaweewa

Those saying that the Big 4 don't ask question relating to accounting are correct.
I was finance/econ but a lot of my friends were accounting, a bunch went to intern interviews with the big 4 and not one received any substantial grilling on accounting methodology/knowledge.
At first i thought it a bit weird but I guess they want a 'clean slate' and teach the intern their way of cooking the boo...erm... doing business.

Click to expand...

We're hardly a big 4, and we don't really ask much outside of some simple booking questions like an acquisition of a fixed asset and the related depreciation.
We assume we can teach you whatever based on the industry and assume you can learn it because you took the right curriculum.

Click to expand...

ts kinda true, and kinda isn't. I remember they wanted to know you experience and education. I don't remember getting asked questions about rules, procedures, announcements etc. What i will tell you, is if you intern, prepare to start at the lower level and do ALOT of paperwork. Since they are the BIG 4, they all have specialized fields and you'll be required to learn info about that field..

If you want to talk about difficult, try to work for the IRS..They had me doing tax returns to even interview...

Angel

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Click to expand...