<p>Here is my situation. </p>
<p>I am going into my senior year at a small prestigous public school in NYS</p>
<p>GPA-3.45, Accounting GPA-3.8</p>
<p>After sophomore year-summer internship with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management</p>
<p>This summer-corporate accounting internship @ large manufacturing company.</p>
<p>will be CPA ready(150) in May 2014(end of senior year) and plan on studying and sitting starting Jan 2014</p>
<p>I also am going to have a third interview @ KPMG w. managing parter(is this a formality?) for a winter tax internship that I can use for credit AND experience. </p>
<p>I have a large fraternity network of accountants and one of the big 4 guys is an interviewer at my school and another guy at BONADIO(large upstate ny accounting firm) also interviews at my school. </p>
<p>Even with all of this, I am very worried that lack of experience at big public accounting firms, and the fact that most other applicants will have a Macc really worries me going about going into full time. </p>
<p>Ive already signed up for the GMAT just incase.</p>
<p>I would say that I have a very positive attitude and good communication skills as well</p>
<p>What do you guys think I should do??</p>
<p>Well, you’ve had two summer internships and are at the third interview stage at interview stage with KPMG - what’s the problem? Is a MAcc necessary - no. The Big 4 tends to care more about grades than having a MAcc - as long as you qualify to sit for the CPA in your state. Some states (this just happened in Illinois) have just made it harder to sit without a MAcc (not impossible, but a lot harder) Can it be a good idea to get anyway? Yes - you will have a Masters, so the preasure to go back for an MBA is greatly reduced. </p>
<p>My son has just received an offer for an internship next summer at a Big 4 firm. Now his GPA is over 3.85. From what he has told me, for campus interviews, your overall GPA might lead to you not getting through the filters at some firms. He said the Big 4, and many large corporations/banks, said “no resumes below 3.5/3.6/3.7…”. Now, your accounting GPA helps compensate for this, but if no other firms have interviewed you, that might be the problem.</p>
<p>Hopefully the KPMG interview works out - and if you do a good job, there very well may be an offer of fulltime employment. If not, and you really want the Big 4 - a MAcc might be a good idea - assuming you can keep up the GPA.</p>
<p>I had an interview with PwC and didnt for Deloitte. E & Y dont recruit at my school, but they are auditing my internship company right now and I’ve actually been chatting up a little and getting some cards…Im just worried that when against a poool of Master’s candidates i won’t even get the full time job interview. Now if i went for my Master’s and only applied for a big 4 internship I have to say I really like my chances</p>
<p>The MACC really helps with the 150 hour requirement. I know a bunch of people with a MACC and without in Big 4. Not necessary, but nice to have.</p>
<p>I will have 150 hours after bachelors for sure</p>