Dim Future
October 1, 2008Everyday during the past few weeks I’ve been obsessively checking out the Career forum at Red Flag Deals. There’s a CA accounting firm thread there you see, as has been the ritual every year at this time. It’s been my main source of information during this recruitment season, and, quite honestly, pivotal in helping me stay sane.
Originally intended by the OP to be for people who have received interviews from the Big 4 + Grant Thornton to talk, has instead been mainly to let people know when they’ve been REJECTED for interviews. Every few days somebody would post when interviews were handed out for each school, and if you weren’t one of those who got one then you would know. Immensely helpful since it keeps you from sitting by the phone everyday just waiting, wondering, daydreaming. Not to mention reading about others complaining about not getting an interview reminds me that I’m not the only one.
Rumours abound as to why people didn’t get hired though. E&Y having a 3.8 GPA cutoff seems to me the most outrageous and most likely false. If I wanted to I could’ve started a rumour too. Hmm lets see here…PwC would throw away all applications that used the letter “E” in the first sentence.
For someone in my position (rejected by Big 4), Krupo says to find another accounting job in the meantime or keep applying to other small-midsize firms. I’m currently doing both, keeping my eye out for jobs as well as mass-mailing CA Training offices. Am I too late? What about the other 90% of grads out there in the same position as me, having a similar (or better) résumé? There’s probably 1000+ qualified accounting grads out there, with only so many positions.
Hey, saw you linked to me. Sorry to hear about your tough search.
I’ve been in touch with a lot of students who were also unlucky in the fall application season. If you’re still in school, that’s a Good Thing, keep working at it and try your best.
If not, do something to keep yourself busy. You’ve read my post so I won’t repeat what I’ve said – except to underline the fact that the job you take to stay busy does *not* have to be a ‘pure’ accounting job. If you find yourself a job doing *anything* in a small company where they could use a smart young CA-to-one-day-be – and which appreciates what you can offer them! – you’ll have enough book smarts to suggest improvements. Any business which has been along long enough to show that the owners are savvy will no doubt recognize what you can offer them over time. This is probably the best advice I can offer right now.
On the topic of cutoffs, I’ll quash that rumour for you immediately – 3.8? – not true.
At most firms the bare cutoff is actually the 70% average you need to write the CA exams. As I’ve said before, you either need strong marks and “ok” extra-curriculars, or strong extra-curriculars and “ok” marks to get in – a 3.8 cutoff is ridiculous – if both are weak, consider re-taking courses to boost your marks or getting into some HEAVY self-development to make yourself a stronger candidate.
I don’t think *ANY* firm has one that high – in the Toronto area anyway; good luck!
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Thank you Krupo! Your advice is valued and insightful as always. I very well may have to broaden my job search, BUT……I may be considering CGA in which case I will need some sort of accounting role in order to fulfill the experience requirement.
You’re welcome. I have more than one friend from school that took that option. CGA/CMA allow for much broader experience categories. It’s not the same, but it’s not completely different – and more importantly, can be just as rewarding. Keep all your options open – you never know what’ll pop up.