Why can't I get an interview at a public accounting firm?
Experienced accountants looking to transition often hit a wall trying to secure interviews, watching senior associate job listings reposted repeatedly without response. This barrier prevents qualified professionals from breaking into public accounting despite holding industry experience and passing most CPA exams.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1applying to small firmsDid this help you?
- 2focusing on firms that value ERP and controller experienceDid this help you?
- 3Applying from regional firms like RSM, Grant Thornton, or BDODid this help you?
- 4Applying as a senior accountant from industry during the fallDid this help you?
- 5Asking online forums for recent interview experiencesDid this help you?
- 6Preparing answers to common behavioral questions about background and career goalsDid this help you?
- 7Reviewing basic Accounting 101 concepts like booking simple journal entries and bank reconciliationsDid this help you?
- 8Engaging in casual conversation during the interviewDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Anyone know what I can expect? Any technicals or should be mostly behavioral ?”source ↗
“I am looking to go public and am having a hard time getting an opportunity to interview.”source ↗
“It's frustrating watching those senior associate reqs get reposted every few months, I get it.”source ↗
“I am having a coffee chat interview with BDO Canada for a junior accountant-Assurance role tomorrow . what kind of questions they likely gonna ask? Anyone who gave interview recently”source ↗
“Interview for small firm coming up, should I prepare for technicals? Like what? Or are these mostly behavioral”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5Why do I want to work in public accounting when I know it's miserable?
- 6How to choose between mid-tier accounting firms
- 8How to get clients for a new accounting practice
- 4What do year-round accountant services actually include?
- 24Does starting in private accounting ruin your career?
- 12How to find a responsive accountant for a small nonprofit