Big 4 firms will recruit anyone displaying an interest in the field and a willingness to learn on the fly/sit and pass the CPA exam. If you have good grades (3.5++, especially if non accounting or business even) and are hitting their networking event trail hard, they will notice. If you're in IT or something more nuanced (engineering, etc) they have advisory practices which you could look to leverage. Again, email the recruiters, show up to events, sit up front, and pull grades that show you're capable. Everything else can be taught.

PwC Alum, used to do A LOT of recruiting.

Thanks for the response.

I'm just trying to gauge how much I can compete with those who did major in Business Admin. Does it really make that much of a difference that someone majored in Economics or something else instead of Business when it comes to getting an internship at a Big 4 accounting firm.

Again, recruiters do come a often to Berkeley but will they take people who aren't Business

Thanks for the response. Do I really need to do a MAcc to land an entry level accounting job out of undergrad?

I was planning to get an internship next summer then graduate and hopefully be able to land a job at a public accounting firm because they recruit so heavily at Berkeley.

Many Business Admin majors do this. Can I do the same with an Economics degree?

I'm really hoping to get an offer after I graduate as an undergrad and work towards the CPA requirements.

You still have a chance. I got a Big 4 offer without accounting degree and having taken 2 accounting classes.

I sent you a PM

Looks like someone just posted this that might be helpful: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/8-tips-for-your-big-4-interview

5 might be overkill

6 this is good to get rid of interview jitters. sign up for mocks early or resume screens early at career center since spots fill up fast

8 i think its fine if you send an email. i can't speak for all groups but in my experience, our decisions are made before you even have time to send a thank you email (at least for final round)

The reason for the Macc is to fulfill the 150 hour requirement to sit for the CPA exam. This can be done in undergrad, but it usually takes a double major (acct+finance is typical). If you don't have 150 hours, they will expect you to do something to fulfill the hour reqs.

To put it bluntly, if you haven't already met or don't plan to meet the requirements to be a CPA, you won't be considered for the audit/tax roles. If you're very against doing a Macc, look at advisory positions, although they are tougher to come by.

Since you went to berkeley, you likely have AP units - those count towards the 150 units requirement. You also can finish your accounting unit requirement after graduating by taking online classes at a JC like Foothill (if needed).

Thanks for all the responses. They have been extremely valuable! I never expected such great conversation.

I am a little concerned about being CPA eligible the time I graduate. It might be possible but pretty difficult. As expected, I asked a recruiter about the CPA eligible req and only the advisory group doesn't need it done.

I understand the online courses method to get the requirements done, but I'd rather not do that. I inquired about finishing accounting courses the summer after graduation at a CC and a PwC recruiter told me they're pretty flexible about that and you would just start your full-time job at a later date.

What do you guys think? I'm concerned they'll write me off as not on track to be CPA eligible when they look at my transcript during Fall hiring. Should I say on my resume that I'm confident I can be CPA eligible by the time the job starts?

Also, how difficult would you guys say it is to get into the advisory group compared to the audit and tax group? Thanks.