本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛It looks like another school application season is about to start. In the last two months, I got many questions from newcomers asking about what they need to study to enter the Big Four.I happen to know several friends working in the Big Four’s Auditing, FAS, and other functions. I guess there should be enough interests there for me to write up this small notes of “If they did it, this was how it would happen.” :D.
Some one might say, “MBA. That is no brainer”. Well, in my view, no necessary. In fact, MBA may not be your best choice. Why? For people want to pursue an accounting designation like CA or CGA, MBA is a more expensive and inefficient way to finish the required courses. Assuming you are familiar with other accounting programs in Toronto, I want to introduce two non-Toronto programs that are seldom mentioned but proven to be the excellent choices to enter Big Four or simply the accounting field.
Those are: the Co-op programs (Bachelor, BBA or B of Economics) in Wilfred Laurier University (WLU, in Waterloo) and Master of Accountancy Program in Brock University (Brock, in St.Catherine). (A claimer: I wish I could get paid from both programs by writing this. Currently, I don’t)
WLU’s co-op is a very excellent choice. To start with, the program already enjoys a great reputation in Ontario for providing high-quality co-op students. Every year, Big Four and investment bankers hire around 20% of co-op students from this program. A good Chinese friend of mine in this program was ranked top one spot in one of the Big Four and two of the Fortune 100. (finally went to the Big Four one) In a recent investment banking hiring, several WLU BBA students even beat Ivey and Rotman MBAs.
WLU has a very diligent, student-oriented, and responsible co-op office. They not only provide cover letter, resume revising, mock interview services but only keep close contact with each co-op students. In non-hiring season, the co-op office also very aggressively, literally door-to-door, contacts employers to get new co-op positions for the program. (It seems to me. The career center staff in some universities in Toronto spend most of their time hanging out in career info sessions to get a free piece of Pizza for THEMSELVES). By the way, the friend I just mentioned successfully finished the co-op terms with the firm and got the job offer 6 months before the convocation with a signing bonus! That is very common for the Big Four to prevent the students from jumping to other competitors.
Brock emerged only recently in my radar screen. I met a friend in Big Four who graduated from this program’s taxation stream. He told me it was an excellent program and the graduates, especially folks from the taxation stream, are closely chased by Big Four. He got an offer from each of the Big Four.
And another hidden benefit is that most classmates you will meet in both programs don’t speak Mandarin. You are forced to improve your spoken English and that helps you shine in the long term.
Any downside? Well. The only thing I can think about is that you need to have a bit tough stomach, because in both cities, you don’t have as many choices of Chinese food as in Toronto.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
Some one might say, “MBA. That is no brainer”. Well, in my view, no necessary. In fact, MBA may not be your best choice. Why? For people want to pursue an accounting designation like CA or CGA, MBA is a more expensive and inefficient way to finish the required courses. Assuming you are familiar with other accounting programs in Toronto, I want to introduce two non-Toronto programs that are seldom mentioned but proven to be the excellent choices to enter Big Four or simply the accounting field.
Those are: the Co-op programs (Bachelor, BBA or B of Economics) in Wilfred Laurier University (WLU, in Waterloo) and Master of Accountancy Program in Brock University (Brock, in St.Catherine). (A claimer: I wish I could get paid from both programs by writing this. Currently, I don’t)
WLU’s co-op is a very excellent choice. To start with, the program already enjoys a great reputation in Ontario for providing high-quality co-op students. Every year, Big Four and investment bankers hire around 20% of co-op students from this program. A good Chinese friend of mine in this program was ranked top one spot in one of the Big Four and two of the Fortune 100. (finally went to the Big Four one) In a recent investment banking hiring, several WLU BBA students even beat Ivey and Rotman MBAs.
WLU has a very diligent, student-oriented, and responsible co-op office. They not only provide cover letter, resume revising, mock interview services but only keep close contact with each co-op students. In non-hiring season, the co-op office also very aggressively, literally door-to-door, contacts employers to get new co-op positions for the program. (It seems to me. The career center staff in some universities in Toronto spend most of their time hanging out in career info sessions to get a free piece of Pizza for THEMSELVES). By the way, the friend I just mentioned successfully finished the co-op terms with the firm and got the job offer 6 months before the convocation with a signing bonus! That is very common for the Big Four to prevent the students from jumping to other competitors.
Brock emerged only recently in my radar screen. I met a friend in Big Four who graduated from this program’s taxation stream. He told me it was an excellent program and the graduates, especially folks from the taxation stream, are closely chased by Big Four. He got an offer from each of the Big Four.
And another hidden benefit is that most classmates you will meet in both programs don’t speak Mandarin. You are forced to improve your spoken English and that helps you shine in the long term.
Any downside? Well. The only thing I can think about is that you need to have a bit tough stomach, because in both cities, you don’t have as many choices of Chinese food as in Toronto.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net