Any BCom student's ultimate aim is to work for one of the Big Four accounting firms. Thus, for interested candidates, this article features tips to get placed in big 4 after BCom.
Any BCom student aims to work for one of the Big Four accounting firms: Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), Deloitte, or KPMG. Companies run job adverts across different media to attract qualified and talented individuals to work for them. Thus, this article features tips for interested candidates to get placed in the big 4 after BCom.
Tips to Get Placed in Big 4 after BCom in 2023
Maintain an active presence on employment boards and job portals such as LinkedIn. You may also visit these companies' official websites and browse for employment vacancies in their 'Career' section. You will obtain all the essential information there and then, and you can apply to the position that most interests you according to your qualifications and skill.
Polish The Resume
Your resume is the initial step in the employment process. Unfortunately, the Big Four are picky with resumes when hiring new employees. The Big 4 corporations will only call you for an interview if your resume is exceptional and shines out from the crowd.
Keep your resume brief and well-formatted, and include a well-written cover letter. When communicating with organisations' recruiting officers, utilise professional email templates.
Choose The Speciality
Recruiters from the Big Four businesses conduct interviews swiftly. When interviewing applicants, they expect them to keep the responses brief and to the point. They typically interrogate the applicant about their professional interests and career aspirations, and having a specialty helps in this circumstance. Specialised areas include auditing, consulting, technology, assurance, tax accounting, and advising.
Try to Land An Internship
If you are fortunate enough to land an internship with one of the Big 4, you will have a good chance of landing a job with them. However, remember that you may get paid little or nothing for working during your internship.
Nevertheless, you will learn firsthand how the organisation operates throughout the internship. Moreover, you will also get extensive information on topics that will assist you in obtaining a full-time position at the organisation.
Keep All Documents Ready
To be shortlisted by the Big 4 accounting firms after B.Com, candidates must keep the following documents ready before an interview: CV, cover letter, work portfolio, and email template. Several candidates are late to realise they require the above documents when they account for at least 90% of their worth. Moreover, candidates should be mindful of grammar, punctuation, and common syntax rules in all their documents.
Follow-Up After the Interview
After the interview, candidates should follow up with the interviewer regarding the status of their job application. Even though this might seem like a pushy strategy, most businesses see this as the ambitious and keen nature of the candidate. Following up after the interview signals to the business that the candidate is genuinely interested in their job offer and is serious about pursuing a career with them.
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Essential Skills Required to Get Placed in Big 4
If you have the right talent and skills, you can dazzle everyone and become an outstanding candidate in the organisation. These talents are required for a job at Big 4 after completing your B.Com.
Computer Skills
You will use a lot of software as an auditor or accountant. Working every day will be a tremendous problem if you lack computer expertise. Make it a crucial skill to learn if you are not already well-versed.
Technical Skills
Getting a position in the Big 4 would be impossible without sufficient knowledge of business law, taxes, accounting standards, etc. In addition, you must be well-versed in the most recent technological changes, newly released accounting declarations, amendments to pertinent acts, and so on.
Communication Skills
This skill is required for entry into every firm, big or small. An excellent grasp of the English language, both written and spoken, is required. These abilities are extremely valuable during HR interviews, GDs, and discussions.
Aside from the tips above and tactics, candidates should be well-versed in their resumes and current events. It would be best not to brag but rather be modest and respectful. In addition, you should be dressed appropriately for the occasion to make a lasting impact on the interviewer.
Computer Skills
Shortlisted candidates will use a lot of software as an accountant or an auditor. Working daily will be a tremendous problem if they lack computer expertise. It must be considered another crucial skill to learn.
Work Experience
This is not so much a talent; it is an extra benefit that will get prospective candidates noticed by recruiters. If they have any professional experience, their chances of being chosen may improve.
What Are the Big Four?
The Big Four organisations such as Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young (EY), PwC, KPMG are involved in various sectors: consulting services/advisory, taxation services, assurance/audit/audit, enterprise risk (AERS) services, etc. The Big Four corporations' income estimates often motivate candidates to enter such global organisations. The enterprises' aggregate revenue in 2021 was USD 167.2 billion.
Furthermore, working for the Big 4 may provide a firm foundation for your future, establishing your skills and knowledge worldwide. The Big Four are industry experts with 360º perspectives of corporations and sectors. They have significant hiring and education programmes for recent graduates and serve as valuable gateways for taxation and consultancy experts moving to and from diverse industries. The Big Four includes the following:
What Are Their Interview Processes?
The Big Four's interview process has been described in detail below:
The HR Interview
During this round, the company's HR would inquire about your past work/educational history, professional goals, and strengths and weaknesses. Yet, the questions do not stop there. The HR staff will have group discussions and debates if the hiring process is completed through campus/job fairs.
Technical Round
The technical interview phase is conducted by the Manager/Team Leader with whom the applicant would likely work. An applicant must be familiar with accounting standards, company laws, and taxes, among other things. Moreover, there may be a second and third round of technical interviews depending on the level at which applicants are hired.
Director/Partner Round
The Partner/Director handles this round. For entry-level candidates, the interview gets eliminated. This round aims to determine whether the applicant fits the company well. The behavioural aspects of the candidate are investigated and examined in this round.
Final Round
Once all the preceding stages have been conducted, a candidate must attend the last round of interviews with senior HR personnel to be finalised. Generally, in this round, HR discusses a candidate's monetary and other expectations and the terms and conditions of employment.
Common Interview Questions
There are no well-defined interview questions. Yet, based on prior hiring trends and analyses, one may get prepared for frequently asked interview questions. These are listed below.
1) Why Work for this Company?
The student must demonstrate that they have done their homework on the company and understand its culture, primary service areas, rivals, etc. Applicants must visit the business's website to gather the necessary information about the company.
2) Explain the Resume
The student must understand all the facts and information present in their CV. Walking through the resume will be an opportunity to expound on their listed accomplishments. It is best to begin by presenting the most recent facts. One should be familiar with their résumé. It should express what is true and correct. Candidates frequently offer misleading information on their resumes. That becomes a pitfall for them; an expert interviewer can tell whether a candidate is lying.
3) Where does the candidate see themself in the next five years?
This response reveals the candidate's career goals and commitment to their professional life. The ideal response would be to excel in the field where the candidate works and then advance to a higher level.
4) Why did the candidate choose that particular job role?
Through this question, the interviewer tries to determine how enthusiastic the candidate is about the job or the company for which they have applied. After all, job success is directly associated with job fulfilment. The more satisfied the candidate is with their job, the more productive they will be.
5) What is the candidate looking for in the new position?
Here the candidate must convey to the interviewer why the position at the firm is the right fit for them. They must mention their short-term and long-term career goals and how the job role aligns with their values.
