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Accounting at the Big 4 with no accounting degree
 

TrulyWallStreet's picture
IB
(Chimp, 8
 
Points)
 on 4/25/12 at 8:33pm

I'm currently a sophomore (Rising Junior) at a target school for accounting. Would be possible to land a FT position at the Big 4 without having an accounting degree or being CPA-Eligible?

I am currently a double major in accounting and business administration. I plan on dropping the accounting major when I graduate. I currently have quite of bit of accounting experience (with companies, not audit/tax/etc.) and I believe I can land a Summer Internship with the Big 4 since I'm still technically an accounting major.

The Big 4 only recruits in the Fall only so I would secure an internship then. Usually the Big 4 (at least at my school), converts interns to FT after graduation. However, since I'm planning on dropping the accounting major when I graduate, will that affect my FT offer? (This is presuming my Summer Internship converts to FT)... Would I be able to land a FT with another Big 4 if I don't have an accounting degree?

Also, I don't plan on taking any UD accounting courses... Could that affect my FT eligibility?

Tags:
Cardinal's picture

Why would you drop

(Orangutan, 309
 
Points)
 on 4/25/12 at 8:52pm

Why would you drop accounting? There is no way youll pass the CPA without having the classes.

Ultima-RDK's picture

If you're looking to go

CD
(Orangutan, 305
 
Points)
 on 4/25/12 at 8:59pm

If you're looking to go audit/tax at the Big 4, you won't land FT without an accounting major (assuming they receive your updated transcript). They'll inquire into your 150 credit plan, and whatever # of accounting credits corresponds to what state you live in (assuming USA). If you're not on track to get these prerequisites, they'll only take you if you plan on going to a 5th year Masters of Accounting program.

Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.

kjl's picture

I've seen people get hired FT

RE
 
Points)
 on 4/25/12 at 9:11pm

I've seen people get hired FT by a Big 4 without an accounting major BUT they had to have enough credits to be sit for the CPA exam.

Ultima-RDK's picture

kjl: I've seen people get

CD
(Orangutan, 305
 
Points)
 on 4/25/12 at 9:32pm
kjl:

I've seen people get hired FT by a Big 4 without an accounting major BUT they had to have enough credits to be sit for the CPA exam.

without an accounting major? most states require a certain # of accounting credits to be CPA-eligible. That amount is definitely more than the amount necessary to get an accounting major.

Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.

FlakieBear's picture

Ultima-RDK: kjl: I've seen

(Gorilla, 502
 
Points)
 on 4/26/12 at 12:22am
Ultima-RDK:
kjl:

I've seen people get hired FT by a Big 4 without an accounting major BUT they had to have enough credits to be sit for the CPA exam.

without an accounting major? most states require a certain # of accounting credits to be CPA-eligible. That amount is definitely more than the amount necessary to get an accounting major.

The number of credits required is not specifically for accounting courses. It is a combination of accounting, ethics, business law, data analysis/stat and other general business courses. Any business major can meet the 150 credits with an audit course, intermediate one/two and Business Law I and II. However, they will need to go back to school to take additional accounting courses and a CPA review class to prepare for the exam.

Power and Money do not change men; they only unmask them

drnick175's picture

Why would an aspiring Big 4

CO
(Monkey, 33
 
Points)
 on 4/26/12 at 1:07am

Why would an aspiring Big 4 accountant drop out of an Accountancy major?

You should do what you can do to get an internship and then try to secure a job before they find out you dropped the major (which is probably the reason you get the position in the first place).
OR
You should reconsider your goals and future to figure out your best route of action. If you want to be an accountant, don't drop it as your major.

Ultima-RDK's picture

FlakieBear: Ultima-RDK: k

CD
(Orangutan, 305
 
Points)
 on 4/26/12 at 1:25am
FlakieBear:
Ultima-RDK:
kjl:

I've seen people get hired FT by a Big 4 without an accounting major BUT they had to have enough credits to be sit for the CPA exam.

without an accounting major? most states require a certain # of accounting credits to be CPA-eligible. That amount is definitely more than the amount necessary to get an accounting major.

The number of credits required is not specifically for accounting courses. It is a combination of accounting, ethics, business law, data analysis/stat and other general business courses. Any business major can meet the 150 credits with an audit course, intermediate one/two and Business Law I and II. However, they will need to go back to school to take additional accounting courses and a CPA review class to prepare for the exam.

I really don't know where you guys are getting your information from.

Let's talk about NY for example:

New York CPA Exam Requirements

1. Education Requirements To Sit For The Exam:

Bachelor degree or above with 150 semester credit hours fulfilled
An accounting program either registered or accredited by the New York State Education Departmentas licensure-qualifying. This generally means:

33 semester hour of **ACCOUNTING** (advanced financial accounting, managerial accounting, US federal tax accounting, auditing, computer auditing)
36 semester hours of general business electives (business statistics, commercial law, computer science, economics, finance)
The cirriculum must include the study of business / accounting communications, ethics and accounting research
There are also requirement of a minimum grade, e.g. you must have an average in the accounting subjects of “C” or better at undergraduate level, or “B” or better at the graduate level

just from a quick google search: http://ipassthecpaexam.com/new-york-CPA-Exam-Requi...

I know there are other requirements outside of accounting classes, but anyone who goes through 33 hours of accounting classes might as well finish the accounting major. In fact, I know at my alma mater, students have to take ADDITIONAL accounting credits on top of an accounting major just to be eligible in their respective state (some states require more than 33 hours). Most schools are in the process of changing around their curriculum so those enrolled can finish whatever hours within the context of their UG accounting major/degree. Then it's on them to get the rest of the 150

Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.

kjl's picture

Ultima-RDK: kjl: I've seen

RE
 
Points)
 on 4/26/12 at 5:46pm
Ultima-RDK:
kjl:

I've seen people get hired FT by a Big 4 without an accounting major BUT they had to have enough credits to be sit for the CPA exam.

without an accounting major? most states require a certain # of accounting credits to be CPA-eligible. That amount is definitely more than the amount necessary to get an accounting major.

Yes. I was one of them and I wasn't the only one. It's a pain in the ass but you basically take a ton of accounting units as electives. Some schools (like UCLA) don't have an accounting major but an accounting minor.

Note: I worked for the Big 4 in California where you need 24, not 33 semester hours of accounting.

FlakieBear's picture

Ultima-RDK: FlakieBear: U

(Gorilla, 502
 
Points)
 on 4/26/12 at 7:09pm
Ultima-RDK:
FlakieBear:
Ultima-RDK:
kjl:

I've seen people get hired FT by a Big 4 without an accounting major BUT they had to have enough credits to be sit for the CPA exam.

without an accounting major? most states require a certain # of accounting credits to be CPA-eligible. That amount is definitely more than the amount necessary to get an accounting major.

The number of credits required is not specifically for accounting courses. It is a combination of accounting, ethics, business law, data analysis/stat and other general business courses. Any business major can meet the 150 credits with an audit course, intermediate one/two and Business Law I and II. However, they will need to go back to school to take additional accounting courses and a CPA review class to prepare for the exam.

I really don't know where you guys are getting your information from.

Look at the requirement for Maryland and some other states. Each states has different requirements.

Bottom line: You are eligible to seat for the CPA as long as you have 150 college credits and these credits include the minimum classes that your state requires for the CPA exam.

Keep in mind that some schools just offer a general business degree with some accounting classes (the minimum to gain CPA eligibility), hence, not everyone has the option to do an accounting major. Hence, even if these people meet the CPA requirement, they still have to take additional accounting courses to prepare for the exam

Power and Money do not change men; they only unmask them

Aimez's picture

kjl: I've seen people get

CO
(Orangutan, 291
 
Points)
 on 5/27/12 at 7:36am
kjl:

I've seen people get hired FT by a Big 4 without an accounting major BUT they had to have enough credits to be sit for the CPA exam.

It's possible to get an offer without an accounting major, and without the required credits. Some Big 4 firms will pay for you to do the Grad Accounting bridging course. Milage will vary between where you're applying for, what area you're going into, what location you're in, and what positions are available.

That said, most people who I saw interviewing had a Economics/Commerce degree. Again, not crucial, but it helps.

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