Getting into Big 4 with no experience

I'm wondering how feasible it is to progress through the initial application stages (i.e. to an interview) with absolutely no finance/accounts experience in terms of employment or extra curriculars?

I'm in my final year of MEng civil engineering at Loughborough and am on track for a first, however I've only completed an engineering internship (in Hong Kong) and have nothing to show that I have any interest in accountancy.

I also performed poorly at A-levels, especially in maths. Which is ironic considering I've aced all my uni maths exams.

Does anyone have any experience of applying, successfully or not, to the Big 4 when coming from a similar place?

I should add, I can probably only qualify for EY and PwC anyway given how many UCAS points i have...

how many ucas points do you have?

it's possible. Seen it happen MANY times.

275 with a C in maths. I have a BTec worth 100 additional points but I'm not sure that counts.

275 with a C in maths. I have a BTec worth 100 additional points but I'm not sure that counts.

Nope sorry. Top three A-levels only afaik. Just bum EY and PwC hard, read as much in the accountancy press as you can, and understand what the job entails, career progression, qualifications

Awk, I figured. I'll devote some time to researching them thoroughly this weekend, I figure they recruit on a rolling basis.

Are there certain positions that are less competitive than others?

PwC audit is rolling outside London. London deadline is 30 Oct!

EY is full for London but still open for most regions, I think there is a hard deadline of 31 Oct rather than rolling so get your skates on

Audit vacancies do open up during the year though as there is some churn out of the job and people reneging on offers

There are more specialised service lines for both that also offer ACA but I would have thought audit would be easiest to get into without experience

I'm wondering how feasible it is to progress through the initial application stages (i.e. to an interview) with absolutely no finance/accounts experience in terms of employment or extra curriculars?

I'm in my final year of MEng civil engineering at Loughborough and am on track for a first, however I've only completed an engineering internship (in Hong Kong) and have nothing to show that I have any interest in accountancy.

I also performed poorly at A-levels, especially in maths. Which is ironic considering I've aced all my uni maths exams.

Does anyone have any experience of applying, successfully or not, to the Big 4 when coming from a similar place?

I'm wondering how feasible it is to progress through the initial application stages (i.e. to an interview) with absolutely no finance/accounts experience in terms of employment or extra curriculars?

I'm in my final year of MEng civil engineering at Loughborough and am on track for a first, however I've only completed an engineering internship (in Hong Kong) and have nothing to show that I have any interest in accountancy.

I also performed poorly at A-levels, especially in maths. Which is ironic considering I've aced all my uni maths exams.

Does anyone have any experience of applying, successfully or not, to the Big 4 when coming from a similar place?

Why accountancy ? Just curious

Having been through the entire process for EY, I can only speak for them, but I imagine it will be the same at PwC.

The EY Process consists of an online application form - 4 online tests - telephone interview - Assessment Centre - Partner Interview.

Not having any finance-related work experience will not hinder you with EY. EY are a lot more interested in the natural strengths you have as a person, not how much work experience you have (something which top IB's seem to love) - everyone who applies gets sent the link for the 4 online tests, so no concerns there. It will be your performance in the tests which determine whether you get a telephone interview or not.

Aslong as you have done some stuff in your life before (such as that engineering internship/played sport/had a job before etc) then you'll be fine for the interview. The Assessment Centre consists of a group exercise and written exercise, so nothing you've done before in your life matters at this stage, just your performance on the day. The Partner Interview is like the telephone interview, but much longer, and consists of a presentation that you have to prepare beforehand and deliver, so again, past experiences will help during the interview, but absolutely no requirement for finance-related work xp.

Hope that helps, and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Basically if you don't get EY, it'll be down to other factors, it won't be down to you not having any finance work experience

I just want to say that today I got an offer from EY UKI Audit and I did a chemistry degree and a scientific masters. In my AC there were people who were doing masters in accounting at Cambridge. Don't let it phase you. Do everything the best you can and you will be fine.

Congratulations

Ashleigh

I just want to say that today I got an offer from EY UKI Audit and I did a chemistry degree and a scientific masters. In my AC there were people who were doing masters in accounting at Cambridge. Don't let it phase you. Do everything the best you can and you will be fine.