<p>so really the school doesn’t matter?
I know there are two decent schools for accounting in Iowa, one being Iowa, the other being UNI (University of Northern Iowa), but whichever one is okay?
as long as I get like a 3.6 GPA, and get an internship should I be okay?</p>
<p>These past few weeks, I’ve interviewed with 3 of the big 4 for their summer conference things. It doesn’t look like Ernst and Young is looking for a lot of people now since they’re in trouble for Lehman Bros.</p>
<p>The KPMG interview was funny, a lot of awkward silence, and the guy closed the interview 5 minutes early. With that practice, I did better for the Deloitte one. Ok, enough of my life story.</p>
<p>I’m at a 3rd/4th tier school Georgia State and they recruit and hire here.</p>
<p>I am lucky to get interviews with all that advertised, I think only 25% else or something managed that. Maybe 40% got 2/3.</p>
<p>I think my success was, go to a decent school, good GPA, AND achievement outside of school. I only have half a year of tutoring, volunteering, and work, but I think it made a difference. It really helps to have experience, not only to list on your resume, but so that you can authentically tap into it during your interview.</p>
<p>Tell us more about the interviews.</p>
<p>Even though they have a lot of “leadership” programs, they really want to see that you can be good in a team, specifically, if you can steer a team, which is somewhat between being a tyrannical director and a passive team member.</p>
<p>2 different big 4 asked me how I juggled different priorities (school, work, other). I just said you have to know yourself and be ready to sacrifice, nobody’s superman.</p>
<p>There were no gotcha accounting questions, though if you haven’t had experience in a team in a substantive manner, those can be gotcha as well. The most accounting related thing we talked about was the change IFRS.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s that big of a deal. I came in myself and if they don’t like me then it wasn’t meant to be.</p>
<p>I have read this whole thread - very educational. I am an anesthesiologist and my son is very interested in accounting (has taken 3 years of acccounting in high school (highest grade in his class), has a 95% GPA, scored in the 99%tile in standardized testing,lots of leadership, sports captains,all-star cross country runner, etc). He has acceptances at 12 colleges- he has narrowed it down to:
University of Richmound
Hamilton
Gettysburg (100K scholarship)
Muhlenberg (80K scholarship Honors Program)
Villonova Business School (small scholarship)
Bucknell University (finalist for PwC scholarship )</p>
<p>I think he is between University of Richmond (ranked top 15 undergrad B Schools) and Bucknell - has excellent chance at scholarship from PriceWaterhouseCooper (30K) but it comes with the perk of a mentoring program with PcW and a gauranteed internship with PcW his junior year (will find out in about a week)</p>
<p>I really appreciate any input from the accounting experts - thanks for your time</p>
<p>This thread is so informative.
I have one question. I hope some one cane help me. I am a computer science major and I have worked for 4 years in the computer technology industry.
I wish to move on to Accounting now(I know it’s unrelated!!!). Will this be a BIG mistake in my career? I plan to take a graduate course in accounting/finance for this purpose and later sit for CPA.</p>
<p>Please help me with your suggestions.</p>
<p>i dont think it will hurt you, accounting is supposed to be a broad field. im sure if you can get a CPA it will open up plenty doors for you</p>
<p>Is your expertise in databases and that sort of thing or what? Those with backgrounds in computer science or MIS who know business are in very high demand. Understanding the IT issues behind Enterprise Resource Planning systems and whatnot would probably be good, assuming you actually do know that sort of thing. The MIS major was designed so there would be people who could understand the language of accountants and other business types and the language of the CS majors such as yourself. While their curriculum might be better tailored to doing accounting support work, it’s likely you have deeper expertise than them. If you get a masters in accountancy on top of a bachelors in computer science you should have a lot of options.</p>
<p>Good to know that it will not hurt me. I jist hope it will benefit me as Mine is a 360 degree career change!</p>
<p>Hi jonahrubin
Thanks for your informative reply.</p>
<p>Yes, I am partly in database stuff(oracle/SQL) and partly into the QA domain. I am not into ERP stuff though.
I really hope I can create a good portfoli for myself with my MAcc/MS in accounting degree. I want to do the research before I plunge into it as I know its a long route for me.</p>
<p>Does anyone know, if non-accounting or non-finance majors are considered for MS?</p>
<p>There are Master’s programs for non accounting students, the programs are rigorous and different than normal Master’s programs to get nonaccounting people up to speed.</p>
<p>Take a look here. [The</a> Fast-Track Master of Professional Accountancy: your pathway to CPA and CMA eligibility in one year](<a href=“http://robinson.gsu.edu/accountancy/fasttrackmpa/index.html]The”>http://robinson.gsu.edu/accountancy/fasttrackmpa/index.html)</p>
<p>I have a question. How do I go about getting a big 4 job in a different region than the one where I attend school at? I know Ill have to meet the CPA requirements for that state but how do I go about interviews and etc?</p>
<p>Thanks pugfug.
this seems to be the course in Georgia. I don’t think I can relocate there, but will surely look for courses in my area.</p>
<p>BTW,How is the reputation for SUNY or CUNY colleges for accounting?</p>
<p>civstudent, I believe if you are at a top program(UT, UIUC, BYU) you will be able to manage it easily, otherwise you will have to do some networking and work at it or otherwise go to work at a local office and try and transfer later.</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<pre><code> I hope I’m posting in the right category…
</code></pre>
<p>I am graduating high school this June, and have already applied to college. I only applied to one college because that is the only school I want to go to. Unfortunately, I didn’t get in for Engineering. So, now I am considering Accounting. I am taking an Accounting course at a Junior College while in high school, and I find it semi-interesting; however, I dislike the Accounting process…recording information into journals and ledgers, etc…I find that a little boring. Now, this class is more of a bookkeeping class, so my question is, what is the difference between Bookkeeping and being a Certified Public Accountant? Is it a lot of the same work? </p>
<p>Please give me some further information on accounting…That would be much appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>
What do you mean by “local”? If the Big 4 offices in Salt Lake City are small, would there be opportunities in Denver/Phoenix/etc? *</p>
<p>* Just an example because I like Utah - I don’t know anything about the size of SLC practices</p>
<p>noimagination, if the big 4 offices are in Salt Lake, they would most probably go to a Utah school such as BYU to recruit.</p>
<p>Don’t forget due to fraud, too! Arthur Andersen was a big player in the Enron scandal! So, the Big Four isn’t all due to mergers!</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I am a 26 year old Biology major (3.0 gpa) who is attending Cal State Fullerton for a MAcc in the fall of '10. I have taken no previous undergraduate accounting classes. I am currently taking the Intro to Financial Accounting at a local community college and should have the Managerial Accounting done in the summer. My intention is to start the Intermediate Accounting class in the fall semester. I am also working full time.</p>
<p>My question is: when should I start looking for an internship? I would like to try for a Big 4 internship, but I don’t think that is feasible with only those 2 accounting classes. Should I try for a mid sized/regional firm? I would like to start gaining experience, so any advice would be helpful. Thanks!</p>
<p>Quick Question: I’m thinking of pursuing concentrations in accounting, finance and management information systems. Assuming it is all possible and I am interested in working in accounting <em>audit</em>, how helpful will the other two concentrations help me with day to day work? I know finance is extremely helpful since most of the work is tied together, but what about MIS for information systems and programming? I’m deciding whether or not it is worthwhile pursuing because I do have a genuine interest in MIS.</p>
<p>Thank you to whoever can answer my question. Too bad we can’t give out reps.</p>