Trying to get into pwc,KPMG,Deloitte or ey. I’ve been trying to apply and reach out to people on LinkedIn but nothing seems to work. Currently working as an engineering compliance manager for clients needing quality managements systems. I do some audits too (ISO9001). I have an MBA and an engineering degree. Do I really need to go get a finance degree? 30 yo located in Melbourne. Appreciate any help.
How to Get into Big 4 Accounting Firms?
Lsundevils on 06/06/2022 - 17:32
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Which division do you want to get into? And why do you want a job in the big 4?
You definitely don't need a finance degree but you do need to be good at interviews and to have a certain personality.
M&A. A lot of the places that offer similar roles are asking for big 4 experience. Just can’t seem to get an interview.
Oh. If you're applying for a role in M&A then at the very least a finance degree is highly desirable.
It’s very rare that someone will go straight into M&A. They take on very few grads each year directly in that service line. Most will come from either financial audit or transaction services after a few years of experience. So if you don’t have M&A experience elsewhere, I’m sorry to say, your chances are not good.
You also need to be a gun financial modeller, understand financial statements and business drivers and you need to be able to work with many different professional advisers (lawyers, investment bankers etc.) and you need to have industry relationships to bring in new clients. You will also be expected to work 70-80 hour weeks, plus work on weekends if the deal requires (which most will)
you need to have industry relationships to bring in new clients.
At a senior level yes. At a junior level probably not
This is your problem. These teams are super competitive to join to start with and generally will only externally hire for more senior roles. Junior roles will come through internal hires or their graduate programs. So pretty much their graduate program would be the best route if you are really serious.
Honestly though, why on earth M&A? There are way better areas to career change into. M&A at a Big 4 is just slavery and pretty average pay. If you’re really serious about M&A you need to go to Macquarie or UBS. They sell the dream but the days of the “Millionaire’s Factory” are long gone. I wouldn’t waste my time.
Why would you want to…
Poor market value remuneration and high stress environment, but a year or two with their name on your CV will set you up for whole future career. Illogical but reality.
This, I started as a grad at EY 16 years ago, worked there for just under 4 years and every interview I had in the next decade it was the main role that my interviewers asked about.
But yeah, be prepared for long hours and pay that isn't as good as elsewhere (although to be fair, it wasn't terrible), and I know a few senior folk there now that are doing very well.
Open the door and walk in
The back door
Lol. I think you posted in the wrong thread.
Did you mean this one?
Any particular reason why you'd want to? Also what level are you looking to enter at? (Is your MBA from a recognised uni or is it one where you had no work experience but got it straight after undergrad?)
(Is your MBA from a recognised uni or is it one where you had no work experience but got it straight after undergrad?)
I don't think OP is struggling to get a job at a big 4 if their MBA is from Harvard.
Exactly the point, and it's crazy seeing people getting an MBA and then going to a junior role.
MBA is more of a networking tool than a credential
I enjoy finance. Well started off looking at senior level but now associate. No mba is from a no name place
Unfortunately an MBA from a no name place probably adds as much to your application as no MBA.
Agree with this statement 100%, I know senior managers in my field who won’t even look at resume or linkdin messages if the applicant did not receive their degree from Monash or Melbourne uni. These roles are super competitive and all the big 4 you refer to, and big 4 banks, and large tech companies etc all have grad roles from those unis where managers can take their picks from countless applicants. If your really keen go back to one of those unis and go via the graduate route
I enjoy finance.
You need something that sets you apart from everyone else that makes the same claims. What makes you a better than all the other go getters already in the big4?
Maybe blog in linkedin, if you have something unique to offer to make yourself standout. It could be a double edge sword too.
If you've got enough experience at a few companies that have a good reputation, having the name of a Big4 on your resume isn't going to make much of a difference. Unless low pay (relatively), long hours and high stress tickles your fancy!
Do I really need to go get a finance degree?
I see them advertise roles on LinkedIn for "experienced professionals" with a degree as a requirement, but I've applied and been offered (declined for a better offer). I don't have a degree at all, so I guess it's not a necessity (but that might depend on the area you're aiming for).
I wonder who actually gets hired and are taking these roles then. They seem to advertise constantly. 5 year work exp but only about 2-3 years with reputable companies.
The new trend is full body profile pictures mid stride. You should try and do that to ‘fit in’
Big 4 is full of crazies. They're overrun with weird Euro people who don't understand Australian culture or language.
I remember going in for an interview and made a quick exit.
I think it's the older senior leadership who have a history from their UK or US roots but the actual grunts on the ground these days are either diverse grads or a lot of them are from India.
When I was in a corporate role at a Telco, the whole consulting team from Big4, Infosys etc were mainly from India and didn't understand the culture.
Bro it's a shit place to work. I suggest not joining.
Source: I am Ex-EYBig 4 is not the end all be all
We've had a few Engineers get offers from the Big 4 without any financial degree or experience whatsoever. They do a lot more than just finance.
You just need to keep applying and get lucky to be selected for intensive rounds of interviews to get through. There's hundreds applying just like you.
My personal opinion, your MBA and audit experience don't mean anything. Anyone can do those. Focus on how you sell yourself and your skillset around Assurance and Systems Engineering. This field is rapidly growing in Australia where clients are continuing to demand it and we're still 10 years behind the UK. That would be your added value proposition.
Also, be open to considering Sydney or Perth relocation if you can. Far more jobs there at the moment.