Waiting a year to try for Big 4

gamez

I am in 4th year due to graduate from UCD business & law this year. I didn't apply to the Big 4 during their milkround last October. Therefore, if I were to apply in the next milkround in 2015, I would have to wait a full year until autumn 2016 to start work (assuming I get the job). The reason why I didn't apply the last time round was because I was slightly under a 2:1, but mainly because I hadn't sufficiently prepared for applications/interviews by the time of the application deadlines (I actually did apply to one of the firms, got an interview but then was unsuccessful). Now it looks like I'm track to achieve the 2:1, and get interview technique in order.
Basically my question is whether I should wait a year after applying to Big 4 to start at next milk rounds? Obviously the most likely thing to happen is that I'll accept another (non-big 4) accounting job at another firm but I'm wondering if there are any other options/positions available?
Replies greatly appreciated.

frankythefish

depends on how bad you want the big 4. personally having interviewed with a big 4. being offered role and instead going to non big 4 i have no regrets. it depends on what type of experience you want. but there s no denying it looks good on cv.

Muzi5434

gamez wrote: »

I am in 4th year due to graduate from UCD business & law this year. I didn't apply to the Big 4 during their milkround last October. Therefore, if I were to apply in the next milkround in 2015, I would have to wait a full year until autumn 2016 to start work (assuming I get the job). The reason why I didn't apply the last time round was because I was slightly under a 2:1, but mainly because I hadn't sufficiently prepared for applications/interviews by the time of the application deadlines (I actually did apply to one of the firms, got an interview but then was unsuccessful). Now it looks like I'm track to achieve the 2:1, and get interview technique in order.
Basically my question is whether I should wait a year after applying to Big 4 to start at next milk rounds? Obviously the most likely thing to happen is that I'll accept another (non-big 4) accounting job at another firm but I'm wondering if there are any other options/positions available?
Replies greatly appreciated.

The choice is completely yours however I can share my thoughts. I finished my contract with the big 4 in October and started looking for jobs. One thing I noticed straightaway from recruiters and in job descriptions was that they usually say big 4 experience desired or required.

It may not matter right now if you don't join the big 4 but perhaps after you finish your contract and decide to leave the firm, then it might.

However, people in smaller firms get more exposure and will still get a great job after finishing their contracts but it can be tougher.

Another route is this, you could go for a non-big 4 firm right now, become qualified and then join the big 4 for a year. I've seen this happen and it works very well for the people who do it!

Keep an eye on the big firms graduate recruitment pages - occasionally they recruit out the normal routine.

gamez

Muzi5434 wrote: »

The choice is completely yours however I can share my thoughts. I finished my contract with the big 4 in October and started looking for jobs. One thing I noticed straightaway from recruiters and in job descriptions was that they usually say big 4 experience desired or required.

It may not matter right now if you don't join the big 4 but perhaps after you finish your contract and decide to leave the firm, then it might.

However, people in smaller firms get more exposure and will still get a great job after finishing their contracts but it can be tougher.

Another route is this, you could go for a non-big 4 firm right now, become qualified and then join the big 4 for a year. I've seen this happen and it works very well for the people who do it!

I thought about it and realised that most of the time firms want people who have big 4 training, meaning people who have completed their initial 3/4 years and become chartered. You could do a year after training, but this wouldn't be the same thing as doing your training with a big 4, or would it matter?

Muzi5434

gamez wrote: »

I thought about it and realised that most of the time firms want people who have big 4 training, meaning people who have completed their initial 3/4 years and become chartered. You could do a year after training, but this wouldn't be the same thing as doing your training with a big 4, or would it matter?

It wouldn't be the same as training with the big 4 but you will get exposure to the big 4 for one year as a senior which counts the most!

It'll be your senior year that counts the most as you will be talking about that in most of your interviews

Finance Grad 2015

Big Four hire graduates all year round... but not necessarily a training contract, meaning you can join on a 12 month contract and start your training there. It's some exposure at least! And you might get a chance to stay or move department etc at the end of your contract.

spillit67

gamez wrote: »

I thought about it and realised that most of the time firms want people who have big 4 training, meaning people who have completed their initial 3/4 years and become chartered. You could do a year after training, but this wouldn't be the same thing as doing your training with a big 4, or would it matter?

You are all accountants at the end of the day and it's about the standard you get to. If you are good enough to work in the Big 4 for a year and can look elsewhere it won't be a problem.

Prettyblack

You could go with elevation / flexible programme - where you don't need to be with training firm in a contract. A few people I knew started off in that so at least they didn't have to wait another whole year to apply. They got going on their studies and then a few of them got contracts later on (not all were big 4 though).

Jim2007

gamez wrote: »

I thought about it and realised that most of the time firms want people who have big 4 training, meaning people who have completed their initial 3/4 years and become chartered. You could do a year after training, but this wouldn't be the same thing as doing your training with a big 4, or would it matter?

It really depends on where you are going and how they view it. So HR types see big 4 trainees as being the 'best of their year', so a few years spent there after training is not the same thing for them. Others don't care....

And it is well worth keeping in mind that plenty of people have successful careers without ever going near a big 4, while other with big 4 experience disgrace themselves - David Drumm for instance.

traineeacc

From a big 4 myself and they recruit all year round, keep an eye especially during summer months as that's when the fill last few places come up usually people change minds, decide to go travelling, etc so inevitably a couple of places crop up.