The Big 4 Guru is a CPA, proud Big 4 alumni and seasoned industry professional. His passion is helping new accounting professionals achieve their career goals.
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Let's face it - these are difficult times in the business world. The shape of Wall Street has changed forever, credit markets are caving and economic uncertainty is scary high! A lot of people are worried, but guess who are sitting pretty? Accountants. If you are starting out in your career there has never been a better time to become a part of one of the Big 4 Public Accounting firms.
There is an old saying, "a great economy needs good accountants and a bad economy needs great accountants." This has never been truer today. With fair value accounting so heavily entrenched in what has happened recently, the convergence to International Standards on the horizon, Sarbanes Oxley still kicking around, FIN 48, etc. there is plenty of work for accountants. However, not just anyone can make it through the doors of a Big 4 public accounting firm,.
If you are reading this you no doubt are well aware of who these guys are:
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and Touché, KPMG and Ernst & Young.
These firms provide the recent accounting grad with a world class experience. Want to be on the cutting edge of IFRS convergence? Join a Big 4. Want to be part of the fair value developments as they happen? Join a Big 4. Oh yeah, not to mention, want an industry leading salary, amazing benefits and job security? JOIN A BIG 4!.
The very best of the accounting world is at your fingertips when you are employed with one of the Big 4. There is an air of respect in those names: PwC, E&Y, KPMG and D&T. There is camaraderie and there is pride. These are the truly elite in the accounting field, and the top of the business world. Starting your professional career at one of these companies is a ticket to a career in the fast lane. The experience you receive at a Big 4 is, literally, priceless. Many beginners at these firms admit that they would be willing to work for nothing: the experience is that valuable.
Think this all sounds good? Of course you do. There must be a catch, right? Unfortunately, there is. Because of the phenomenal benefits, the demand for these positions is higher than ever. These positions are EXTREMELY competitive and often IMPOSSIBLE to obtain without an edge. A great GPA and resume are no longer enough.
If you are serious about your career and want to maximize your earnings potential, you need an edge over the thousands of others reading this. How do you land an interview with a Big 4 when there are thousands of others just like you? Once you get the interview, how will you be prepared for the barrage of questioning you will face?
When I graduated from college I had one interview and one interview only: I landed a job with PricewaterhouseCoopers on the first shot. How did I do it? Good grades? Charming personality? Incredible experience? No! I had an insider at a Big 4 who knew the ropes and coached me through the process, from the application to the signing bonus! When I learned these secrets I just watched as my peers struggled and I jumped easily through all the hoops. Unfair? Sure, but life in a world class industry is not fair. While working at PwC I also experienced the recruiting process from the side of the recruiter.
If you are interested in learning more (like exactly how to get hired by a Big 4) please visit:
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