<p>I'm currently an undergrad student (Senior) at Syracuse University. These past few years at my university, I've been trying to obtain an accounting internship at a Big 4 firm or a mid-sized firm. I've tried harder every single year to get an offer from any firm (attending more career fairs and being more active in recruiting events), especially right now as a Senior. This year, I had first round interviews with McGladrey & Pullen, KPMG, Grant Thornton, and E&Y. I also had Superday (second round) interviews with E&Y and Grant Thornton very recently. However, every single firm that I interviewed with declined me. Now, I'm not really sure if I'm doing something wrong when I interview, but I've just been on a long road of misfortune so far. I perform my due diligence on every single company, leave a few days for preparation for each interview, and I really think that I present myself very well during these interviews (at least in my opinion). My GPA is currently 3.7, I am involved in Accounting organizations as extracurricular activities (Beta Alpha Psi and NABA), and I have had work experience (although not accounting related) that built on my organizational and time management skills.</p>
<p>Since this year was probably my last opportunity to acquire an internship at a large public accounting firm, I am starting to get REALLY worried, yet it is one of my dreams/major goals to get a job at a Big 4 firm. My question is, how important is internship experience prior to getting a full-time interview/offer? I will be in a MS of Accounting program next year (to fulfill the 150 credits for CPA licensure), and I was wondering if there is a good chance that Big 4 firms would hire candidates without any prior accounting internships? At this point, I'm scared ****less because I'm thinking a prior internship would matter a lot, and since I'm probably not going to get one before my full-time interviews, my chances of getting a full-time offer at a Big 4 will decrease significantly.</p>
<p>Even after all that rejection, I feel good to say that I'm still a very committed and motivated student. I will continue applying to as many accounting firms or any businesses hiring interns, and will remain productive. But for now, I think I need some answers (for reassurance purposes). I really want a job at a Big 4 firm and I feel like I'm running out of options. Can anybody shed some light please? Or any advice perhaps?Thanks..</p>
<p>I had a similar situation last year where I had no previous accounting experience and did not get an offer from the Big 4.</p>
<p>I then did an unpaid internship at a local accounting firm and was lucky enough to get a ton of real accounting and tax experience.</p>
<p>When I interviewed for the Big 4 again (KPMG & EY) I was able to get an offer.</p>
<p>I guess my advice would be to suck it up and apply for an internship at a local or regional firm. It is not glamorous, but it is enough to get you on your way.</p>
<p>I did not have any B4 internships before this recruitment process and I ended up having 6 offers from the B4 in a mix of audit or advisory. So, it is very possible to get a full-time Big Four offer without a prior internship there.</p>
<p>I did have a very good internship in corporate finance the summer before I started the B4 recruitment, so I think that helped quite a bit. I have a 3.9+ and have been extremely involved in a multitude of areas during my college time–just to give you some background on the type of applicant I am.</p>
<p>The biggest area is having confidence in your interview. You need to show personal skills, ask the right questions, and be able to have a free flowing conversation with everyone from an associate to a partner. To me, this is where distinguishes who gets an offer and who does not. Once you are at the office interview–it is ALL about personality and “fit.”</p>
<p>Freshman year summer - Volunteered at a small logistics firm that focuses on international imports from Eastern Asia. I opted not to receive pay, I genuinely took this as a learning opportunity for myself.</p>
<p>Sophomore year summer - Took summer classes at a college in my city.</p>
<p>Junior year summer - Worked at another small logistics firm (not the same one as freshman year). Used the knowledge I obtained in my freshman year volunteer job and applied it to this job.</p>
<p>I also have a small eBay business on the side when I’m at home from school. I sell sneakers and electronics and have been through 250+ transactions. This little entrepreneur venture is something that interviewers usually ask me about, and I’m always delighted to talk about it.</p>
<p>Not sure if the post asking about what was done over the summer was directed at me…</p>
<p>If so, I studied abroad one summer studying business and have had jobs in the others. One doing a local thing at my hometown that I didn’t even include on my resume and another this past summer as a finance intern. </p>
<p>The Big Four is all about people skills once you get to an interview, especially the second interview. Maybe meet with someone to do a mock interview to see if this is where you are tripping up in the process? Also, you need to have engaging questions to ask each firm–that is another difference maker, in my opinion. Even if you ask every firm similar questions, it can be something that A) helps you make a choice B) Impresses the firm.</p>
<p>One of my favorites is something along the lines of: “What is one thing that you have come to love about this firm that you weren’t expecting when you went through the recruitment process?” You can ask every person this question because it is subjective and allows for them to talk about themselves and their personal experience–which means they can talk for as long as they would like.</p>
<p>Hi chiq. I’m in NABA too at SU and I am in the same position as you. I interned at Ernst & Young in High school and now I am just dying to work there again and reunite with the firm.
I’m still good friends with my former supervisor who is a partner at the firm so hopefully that could help me out.</p>
<p>I have a friend who transferred from a CCC to UCLA and had a mediocre GPA, had no accounting internships, and got a full-time offer from one of the Big 4 this recruiting season. </p>
<p>Absolutely doable, they look at your holistic package so if you don’t shine in one area shine brighter in another.</p>
<p>However, if you’ve run this gambit multiple times then you should face the fact that you are doing something wrong and fix it before you go through the gauntlet again. I’d utilize on campus mock interviews, career center counselors, and resume critiques to find out what it is that you need to improve.</p>