Accounting at the Big 4 with no accounting degree
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?
Why would you drop accounting? There is no way youll pass the CPA without having the classes.
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.
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:
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-Requirements/
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
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.
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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