How to get a trainee job with the Big 4.

abhishek

Hi, I am new to this and this is my first posting. I just want to know from people working in the big 4 or otherwise, how to get a trainee's job there, I am more interested in Advisory than Audit, would that mean I have a less chance because naturally they take on less Advisory trainees & more Audit trainees.

I graduated last year with a BA (Hons) in Accountancy & Finance with a 2.1 honors, although my 1st & 2nd year results arent good at all, I managed to pull myself together to get atleast 2.1 in the degree as a whole, I know that it is there minimum requirement. Would my 1st & 2nd year result matter much? Can it hinder me like! Also I am doing ACCA at the moment only 2 exams left now which Im confident I'l pass in June 09 before applying for a trainees role with the big 4. Would that work in my favour? I have good results in ACCA aswell. I also have exemptions for ACA CAP 1 & 2.

Also I have experience of working as a trainee accountant with a small practice in D2, but was made redundant recently. I worked there for about 6-7 months in Audit, Tax etc.

I just want to know how do I enhance my application to increase my chances specifically to get an interview and then secure the appointment.

In other words what do the big 4 look for and how can show it to them given my background & situation?! Any help will be greatly appreciated. I know its very tough to get in the big 4, but I made the mistake of not applying 1 or 2 years ago, but I am determined to apply & get a job with one of them! Thanks!

Mr. Incognito

Summer internships are your best bet and an exceptional way to avoid the genuine lottery that is the milk rounds- think the applications are closed in Feb or that though

abhishek

Yeah I got that advice from a lot of students, but I dont think they do those internships for already graduated students, its only for penultimate year students in college!

Mr. Incognito

No- that's the co-op places- summer internships are for everyone and anyone mate- get in touch with their HR

Running Bing

Mr. Incognito wrote: »

No- that's the co-op places- summer internships are for everyone and anyone mate- get in touch with their HR

Are'nt they supposed to be for people in the penultimate years of their course? I know their not 100% strict on this but I imagine a large % of people doing interships are going into their final year of college.


Anyway summer internships are always mentioned as a great way to get a job...thing is people rarely mention that in many instances its tougher to get an internship than a grad position!!!!


They are great if you can get one but I dont be disheartened if you dont i.e. dont think "well if I couldnt even get an internship Ill never get a training contract".

The_Hustler

Yeah it is tougher, partly because there are not that many places. I couldn't get an internship but I got a couple of training contract offers.

panda142

The Accountancy firms do only take on penultimate year students.

DJDC

If your circumstances allow,maybe look abroad? The bubble in trainee accountancy positions has popped and the fallout has been devasting as is evident by the hundreds of unemployed trainees. It might take 2-3 years for the oversupply to clear out. Look at London but also Manchester, Glasgow etc. Good luck.