Do the Big 4 Take Traditional Bachelors in Accounting Students?

College Majors Business Major
1

<p>I have been receiving mixed answers from people in regards to this question.</p>

<p>A little background about me. I am currently a rising junior BBA accounting major at the University of Texas At Austin seeking a Big 4 audit or tax internship at an office preferably outside of Texas (ideally Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle or San Francisco).</p>

<p>I have noticed on our Online Recruiting System that the Big 4 Audit internship postings (besides Big 4 Risk Assurance) have a desired major preference of "MPA" (Masters of Public Accountancy) and this is for those in the 5 year integrated BBA/MPA program here at UT. This is odd because in the job description qualifications it says "Pursuing a Bachelor degree in Accounting OR a commitment to satisfy all of the minimum requirements for CPA licensure per respective state regulation." This is quite odd because even though I meet those requirements I still can't apply for the job because my major isn't a desired major for them.</p>

<p>I noticed at other universities some regular BBA accounting kids I know that landed Big 4 audit/tax gigs that weren't in any special program (UCL, Bentley, Texas A&M, etc.) Is this normal or does it vary university to university?</p>

<p>I just recently decided that majoring in Accounting over finance (having been a finance major prior to the change) was the right choice for me after prioritizing my job goals (hopefully want to do an MBA and then become a CFO/Controller). With this I didn't get the chance to apply to the integrated MPA program this session but luckily the director gave me a second chance to apply for next fall.</p>

<p>For the worst case scenario though as far as Big 4 Audit/Tax, do they take regular BBA accounting students (those that aren't in any 5 year integrated MAcc/MPA program) or do they strictly stick with people in a special program like the integrated 5 year program at McCombs? If so, what are the circumstances (i.e: do they expect you to pass the CPA prior to working full time, etc.)? And finally as far as Big 4 recruiting goes how hard is it to get into an office outside of Texas?</p>

<p>Any feedback would be awesome</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>I’ve seen you ask this question twice on WSO. I think it was answered there, but they just want you to be CPA eligible, be it through a BBA or a Master’s.</p>

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<p>??? Why are you wasting time on CC. You should be on the phone talking to recruiters, asking for a courtesy interview for an undergraduate internship. The above description is too vague to determine what is required, hence the phone call. BTW, be pleasant, yet professional, expect reluctance, which is an old recruitment trick to weed out the weak and undedicated. Overcome the reluctance, GET THAT INTERVIEW. GL</p>