Do you think I'd be a competitve candidate for big4 audit or other analytics schemes?

just a heads up this may be long

hey, so, im doing a degree in software engineering, however, im not sure if i want to become a programmer afterwards to be honest. I still like the problem solving aspects, and i like to code, however, i just dont think i see myself doing it for the rest of my life anymore :frown:

(

ive always liked maths, so i thought id get into maybe big 4 tax or audit, but im not sure how good of a position im in. I also thought about going for things like the barclays data and analytics grad scheme. So right now im thinking roles in data analytics, and/or finance (not IB - i dont go to a target or semi target so rip those hopes) :smile:

i guess the most "important" in terms of being able to apply - I'm predicted a 1st from a midrank uni (30 to 40th i think)

in terms of experience, i do have some tutoring experience of tutoring my sister and some other kids on my street, however idk how to say this in a cv to show any transferrable skills, like i got skills such as communication, organization?, planning, and from my dsgree ill get analytical skills too. due to this i was thinking of maybe doing a skill based cv but i dont know how this will be seen by like idk deloitte or other SMEs too

I play football and cricket, and so i guess this can show leadership and teamwork, and have volunteered some years ago to help organize a concert in my city, but again this was A WHILE ago so i have no idea if i could/should use it . Ill be looking for more volunteering for sure though, so ill put that on too

i also thought about doing a virtual work experience or internship, and they show initiative i think. I'm also part of societies but dont have a leadership role or anything.yet at least..and haven't had even a retail role to i guess talk about, but can i make examples for questions from life / tutoring" experience?

Also idk what to do regarding references - would i really need a lot of them/ any? and like would i just ask a lecturer or my personal tutor? tbh i dont speak to my tutor or lecturers too much so idk how to approach that. Also with the tutoring im not sure if/how i should try and get a reference for that or something

so yea, with all this in mind, plus some more things im sure ill do over the next year (im going into year 2 right now, any ideas for things would be appreciated!), would i stand a chance like..at all..for graduate jobs/schemes?

Also, if there's anyone here that got in a big4 grad scheme, or heck any other related to finance/data , any indication of what you guys put on your cvs would be super appreciated :smile:

, but obvs u dont have to so dw :smile:

also does what im saying not matter too much - like is the application / assessment? different for these, i kinda figured id need a cv so

bump?

Hey, im doing a unrelated degree (software engineering), but fell out of love with it a bit so was considering big4 audit or tech grad schemes, as tbh even when i was choosing last year it was either CS/SWE or Finance.

What did you have on your CV/ as part of your application? Do you need a CV or is it an application form or something?

Also, can you get in with little work experience? I only have tutoring experience right now so im not sure if id even stand a miniscule chance

Reply 3

Forlornsoul

Hey there

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I did an accounting degree and did a placement year at EY

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Was offered a grad position but didn't take it up [application process and cohort was the same as grads]

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I had zero prior experience working for an accounting firm

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There are some psychometric tests big 4 firms make you do, but they're not accounting specific

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So long as you're aware of recent news stories in the financial world etc, there's not much else you need - so long as you can show your motivations for applying

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All the best!

Reply 4

Al3x235

Original post by Forlornsoul

Hey there

•

I did an accounting degree and did a placement year at EY

•

Was offered a grad position but didn't take it up [application process and cohort was the same as grads]

•

I had zero prior experience working for an accounting firm

•

There are some psychometric tests big 4 firms make you do, but they're not accounting specific

•

So long as you're aware of recent news stories in the financial world etc, there's not much else you need - so long as you can show your motivations for applying

•

All the best!

hey!

wow thanks so much! i was kinda worried about it being so competitive as i go to a midrank uni, and that tutoring was all the experience i have, so its good to know all hope isnt lost 🙂 .

Would not having a placement year / internship screw me over? I heard theyre really competitive but i figured if i show i really am enthusiastic and willing to learn then someone has to give me a chance haha :smile:

but wow that sounds like a awesome experience! all the best to you too!! :smile:

Reply 5

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

I can’t imagine falling out of love with software engineering and thinking a corporate audit career is the answer.

Haven’t worked in big-4 (never pursued) although plenty of people i know work/have worked there, and ive done corporate recruitment including interviews in banking & consultancy (including IB/management consultancy as well as technical & engineering consultancy).

In general i don’t think you need anything spectacular (unlike other areas of finance or consultancy which have way less jobs & are much tougher on the CV), solid academic track record, have a couple hobbies and an internship probably would help. I suspect internships/experiences would probably be more beneficial when you do assessment centres or “super days” so you have good case studies you can talk about in interviews. I think its more about doing well at each recruitment round: hire view/online tests/ACs then if you make it to the final interview making a positive impression then.

Id also not unless you’re in London, Big-4 salaries really are not what you’d think (i was surprised how “standard” they were comparing across other corporate graduate positions)

Reply 6

Al3x235

Original post by mnot

I can’t imagine falling out of love with software engineering and thinking a corporate audit career is the answer.
Haven’t worked in big-4 (never pursued) although plenty of people i know work/have worked there, and ive done corporate recruitment including interviews in banking & consultancy (including IB/management consultancy as well as technical & engineering consultancy).
In general i don’t think you need anything spectacular (unlike other areas of finance or consultancy which have way less jobs & are much tougher on the CV), solid academic track record, have a couple hobbies and an internship probably would help. I suspect internships/experiences would probably be more beneficial when you do assessment centres or “super days” so you have good case studies you can talk about in interviews. I think its more about doing well at each recruitment round: hire view/online tests/ACs then if you make it to the final interview making a positive impression then.
Id also not unless you’re in London, Big-4 salaries really are not what you’d think (i was surprised how “standard” they were comparing across other corporate graduate positions)

hey, yeah i know its a big change , so i get why you seem surprised by it lol, but tbh im just trying to explore every option i have - like i have a lot of interests and was/am never set on a specific career tbh, i just know id like it to involve maths/numbers, and i picked software engineering as at the time i was very interested in it (im still interested, just not as much as i thought i was/was when i chose the degree)

i know it seems like i probably shouldnt have gone to uni so soon, or chosen a different degree maybe in my case but im here now so im just trying things, and ive been interested in finance in general for a while so i fogured its worth a shot🙂

but yeah i know its weird lol, i have until 2026 when i graduate so hopefully ill find a thing i wanna do, but i have a idea of the kinds of jobs i want to do, just not a set role (again, i probably shouldnt be doing cs/swe in this case or be on a gap year but welp)

thanks for your response though, seems like some really valuabe insights so thanks!! :smile:

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 7

Forlornsoul

Also you might want to consider investment banking as you have a numerate degree, the pay will likely progress a lot quicker :smile:

Reply 8

Al3x235

Original post by Forlornsoul

Also you might want to consider investment banking as you have a numerate degree, the pay will likely progress a lot quicker :smile:

yeah i thought about that but i dont go to a target uni so idk if its even possible lol, i hears from here if you dont go to like LSE/Oxbridge, or a semi target its curtains

thanks though, ill look into it and see if its at all possible haha 🙂

Reply 9

mnot

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by Al3x235

hey, yeah i know its a big change , so i get why you seem surprised by it lol, but tbh im just trying to explore every option i have - like i have a lot of interests and was/am never set on a specific career tbh, i just know id like it to involve maths/numbers, and i picked software engineering as at the time i was very interested in it (im still interested, just not as much as i thought i was/was when i chose the degree)
i know it seems like i probably shouldnt have gone to uni so soon, or chosen a different degree maybe in my case but im here now so im just trying things, and ive been interested in finance in general for a while so i fogured its worth a shot🙂
but yeah i know its weird lol, i have until 2026 when i graduate so hopefully ill find a thing i wanna do, but i have a idea of the kinds of jobs i want to do, just not a set role (again, i probably shouldnt be doing cs/swe in this case or be on a gap year but welp)
thanks for your response though, seems like some really valuabe insights so thanks!! :smile:

Im not surprised because the change is so big - but something like Big4 & in particular audit would be a better alternative if you’ve fallen out of love with something. It sounds like you want a new passion to pursue, and to be frank I struggle to imagine anyone has a passion for the roles you’re now looking at. Most people go to big4 because the company is relatively prestigious and they are going to get on a respectable career ladder not because they are deeply passionate for the work.

The people I know who are deeply passionate/nerds for finance are more interested in something more directly aligned to capital markets.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 10

Al3x235

Original post by mnot

Im not surprised because the change is so big - but something like Big4 & in particular audit would be a better alternative if you’ve fallen out of love with something. It sounds like you want a new passion to pursue, and to be frank I struggle to imagine anyone has a passion for the roles you’re now looking at. Most people go to big4 because the company is relatively prestigious and they are going to get on a respectable career ladder not because they are deeply passionate for the work.
Most people I know who are deeply passionate/nerds for finance are more interested in something more directly aligned to capital markets.

hey thanks for the response :smile:

yeah im looking in to big4/other audit, and tbh idk if my passion is strictly finance or numbers in general to be honest...i feel like i have too many sometimes but none are like DEEP passions yk? i was quite insecure about that for a while becauzs idk i feel like i should have it planned out by 19, but i dont - not completely anyway

and the career ladder thing, yeah i suppose you're right, thats also playing a part in me planning to switch industries i guess 🙂 , it would certainly help thats for sure :smile:

i think what ive got to do in year 2 is maybe try a lot of things, and see what i like? or maybe i should pick one thing, im not sure yet ☹️ , but i guess ill see where it goes :smile:

thanks for your help though, its definitely helped calm me down somewhat thats for sure!