Didn't received a return offer after internship at KPMG because asked a partner out for coffee?

I asked a partner (who hired me) out for a coffee, he agreed, then changed his mind. He told my performance manager leader (PML) that I did not respect his time because an intern supposes not to ask a partner out for coffee during busy season! (But he went to coffee with other interns and associates) I was totally fine with it at the beginning since this is not a big deal.

A month later, my PML (performance manager) graded me an "inconsistent" on my performance review and "advised" me to not networking with the people you don't work with especially manager level above. I did not ask anyone out for a coffee and just focused on my works after the first review. I still received an "inconsistent" on my second feedback because my PML said it is cumulative! I never worked with my PML or that partner on any of their engagements. My seniors said my technical skills were excellent.

Now that I do not receive a return offer from KPMG? What should I do and how can I find a job in other Big 3?

 

You do realize accounting is very, very, far removed from asset management, correct? Corporate finance or off topic would likely be significantly more appropriate.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

Asset Management as a field in finance means you manage or sell something like a mutual fund or an ETF. It frequently bleeds over into wealth management where you manage individual client portfolios, plan people's retirements etc. The goal is gathering assets, as you charge fees on AUM.

Asset management as a ops position means you do things like manage who gets a laptop or iPad, managing the firm's physical assets. That is a completely different field from AM. Maintaining low costs is the goal.

They are completely different. As KPMG is an accounting firm that does not manage assets, I think I am reasonably safe assuming you were in ops. Our internal team that does the ops role has significantly less in "assets" than any of our two dozen or so investment teams, and is a firm cost instead of a revenue generator. I did not throw any of that monkeyshit at you, but I understand why people would have.

The only difference between Asset Management and Investment Research is assets. I generally see somebody I know on TV on Bloomberg/CNBC etc. once or twice a week. This sounds cool, until I remind myself that I see somebody I know on ESPN five days a week.
 

That simply means the Audit/Tax/Advisory service is provided to companies in Asset Management industry. Big 4 provides process establishment for business operations; set up technology for administrators; identify any regulatory needs for additional process improvement/technology needs and implement them. In essence, they serve the back office needs of asset managers. The closest rotation I did was with the middle office of a hedge fund, and even then, most of the conversation was routed by the administrator (Corporate Trustee/Custodian). The scope of the work within the big 4 is far removed from real finance. Most of big4 graduates would consider themselves lucky to land a Product Control role or Fund Accounting role at IBank/Hedge fund.

While I admit it's a very useful, value added career choice with decent pay, it is, however, not a Finance career.

Should you wish to continue this career, I wish you the best luck finding the right team. Don't over think what you did before. Sometime it's just a personality clash, almost like speed dating. You cannot help control the outcome. I recommend you focus on your own skill development, and not to meddle with politics too early in career.

 
Best Response

Did the coffees the partner have with the other juniors happen around the same busy period that you emailed him? If so, then this is just weird. If anything, him first agreeing, then changing his mind and then telling the manager you’re wasting his time is inconsistent.

There’s probably something else to it. Maybe political, maybe something you might have said or did that you didn’t know was offensive but was? But honestly, it just seems very immature on his part and reflects poorly on him. A normal Sr person would either just reply back to say they’re busy and connect you to their EA to tentatively pencil something in near future, or just ignore your email.

Is there someone else who you’ve developed good rapport with at KPMG who can help you with connections? If so, try to have them help you out on intros to their friends at other firms.

 

The coffee partner did went to coffee every other day with his favorite associate and some other interns.

There was something else happened back on Oct 2017 during second-round interview pre-dinner. I was talking to a MD about BYU because we both attended the school. That partner was sitting next to me and think we were talking about religious, but we didn't. This common also on my first review. I told my PML this is unfair because that was before I accepted the offer. She took it off on my second review, but doesn't help at all.

I only know a few associate in other big 3, but not sure how they can get me a job. And how should I answer if people ask me why not KPMG?

 

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