Want to get Big 4 Job- but need to get masters in accounting need advice on picking school!
I'm thinking of getting my masters in accounting, and then hopefully getting a job with one of the Big 4 companies.
Since I'm a business major with only 15 hrs of accounting and the fact Big 4 doesn't recruit at my school; I'm thinking of getting my Masters in Accounting from WVU, because it will only cost me 8k (15k if I factor everything such as living expenses).
My concern is that since WVU's business program is not a top-ranked program, I may be shut out from getting a job with a Big 4 company.
So basically my main question is should I get my masters in accounting from WVU or get it from a higher ranked more expensive program?
big 4 accounting firms recruiting
GPA and interview skills are the most important factors when it comes to landing a position at a Big 4 firm. If the firm recruits on campus (regardless of program rank) you have a decent chance to break in with a good GPA.
However, it is easier to break in from the top programs. Schools like Kelly, University of Michigan, UT, Illinois and UVA all have an advantage over the competition.
Key Takeaways
- If a firm recruits on campus and you have a good GPA, you have a chance. Regardless of program rank.
from certified user @scgrad"
When it comes down to it, it doesn't really matter where you get your MACC from. It matters what your GPA is and how well you interview. I am with a big 4 in NYC, and most of the people hired here are not from top 25 MACC programs.
Recommended Reading
Seriously, what's with the influx of big 4 peeps?
Baruch is heavily recruited by the big 4.
big 4= teh suck
University of Texas or something apparently has a top notch master accounting program from what I heard. You should look into that.
baruch is also heavily recruited by jpm ibd. so what? and barclays hires a lot of lehigh and boston u and boston college kids
Based on rankings McCombs is the top MPA program. Not sure about out of state costs though. But if you are in the program and put in some effort I don't think a big 4 job would be tough to swing.
Although.. coming from a non-AACSB accredited college, getting into McCombs could be hard... You should probably increase your GMAT score a bit higher, and have a good story for the AdCom. Good luck!
Texas costs like 70k all in for one year. If the OP wants to do Big 4 accounting, there are plenty of cheap schools out there. The "prestige" of MPA/MAcc programs doesn't really come into play for Big 4 recruiting- they do it regionally for each office. So, check out less expensive programs like Baruch.
When it comes down to it, it doesn't really matter where you get your MACC from. It matters what your GPA is and how well you interview. I am with a big 4 in NYC, and most of the people hired here are not from top 25 MACC programs. The way to get a job with a big 4 firm is through campus recruiting. I would find it hard to believe that you would not be selected for a first round intereview because you have a good gpa. From there, it is all based on how well you interview. But again, it does not matter how prestigious the school is.
I disagree with SC.....
While that may be the case in his office in NY, it is not necessarily the case everywhere. I went from a no-name school to Kelley for my MAcc. Kelley opened up numerous doors for me that my former classmates who stayed at the no-name school did not have.
Is it possible to get into Big 4 at an unknown school? Definitely. Is it likley? Maybe I can tell you that it is virtually guaranteed at a school like Kelley. Every single domestic student that wanted to go to Big 4 got a position. I would say that I was towards the bottom of the class based on resume at the time and I had interviews with all 4 and offers from 3.
The top programs are so in tune with the Big 4 recruiting that it virtually guarantees you a position. I was considering moving to NY for financial services audit, so I informed career services and within 2 weeks I was flying out to Deloitte in NY.
I use Kelley as an example because I have first hand experience. Other schools such as Texas, Illinois, UVA and Mich will open the same doors. OSU won't be far behind (I almost went to Fischer for my MAcc so I'm pretty familiar) and Iowa seemed to do we regionally at least in the midwest. Miami of Ohio is another school that definitely does well in the midwest.
Also worth noting.....
Most Big 4 recruiting is done regionally, with the exception of about 5-7 schools (if I remember right). These schools will have a much higher success rate placing outside of the nearest large town.
If you go to Louisville you may get into audit in Lville, but likely nowhere else. If you go to IU, Mich, UofI, UVA, UT, etc... you could get a position in NY, Chi, Cali or even Louiseville.
Also, audit BLOWS. From experience, its a great way to start a career (due to exit ops) but the job is absolutely terrible and rather mind numbing.
WTF is with all of this big4 forum pollution? go to accountingblock.com
shit the way things are going i wouldnt be surprised if molecular biologists started coming here asking for advice
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