ACCOUNTING SOCIETY CSUF
Guide to Recruiting
Note: For important information related to accepting your internship offer and interview etiquette,
please also read the 2012 recruiting guide as well.
Contents
What is Public Accounting?........................................................................................................................... 1
What are the main differences in firms? ...................................................................................................... 2
What Should I Be Recruiting For? ................................................................................................................. 2
Recruiting Basics ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Networking Events .................................................................................................................................... 2
Meet the Firms.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Being Prepared (What to Bring) ................................................................................................................ 3
Being Prepared (Making Conversation) .................................................................................................... 3
Turning in Your Resume and Cover Letter ................................................................................................ 4
Interviews.................................................................................................................................................. 4
Tips for Success ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Do’s and Don’ts ............................................................................................................................................. 5
What is Public Accounting?
Public accounting firms are firms made up of accountants who provide services for organizations and
businesses (also known as their clients). These services are usually audit, tax or advisory/consulting
services. A career in public accounting is known for being fast-paced with a steep learning curve that can
provide you with a broad range of experiences.
CSUF Accounting Society provides access to many events that can help you get exposure to what a
career in accounting, especially public accounting, is like. Here are some examples of programs and
events we have that give you networking opportunities as well as polish your professional image:
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Meet the Firms
Biweekly Speaker Meetings
Mock Interviews with professionals from accounting firms
Mentoring program, where you get to engage in career-building activities with a mentor who
has successfully received an internship or full-time offer
Career development workshops
And much more!
As an Accounting Society member, you have the opportunity to attend many of our events where you
will be able to network with and recruit with public accounting firms, private companies, and for
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opportunities in the government sector as well. You will also have the chance to attend socials where
you can meet other Accounting students. Of course, we also have leadership opportunities available for
members who are interested in applying for a chair position.
What are the main differences in firms?
The four biggest firms are known as the Big 4. They are known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte,
Ernst and Young, and KPMG. CSUF Accounting Society offers recruiting opportunities with Big 4 firms,
regional firms and local firms as well. By attending our events, you have opportunities to network with
ambassadors or professionals from a wide range of firms.
Take the time to explore and meet as many professionals from as many firms as you can by attending as
many networking events as your schedule allows. That way, you can get a good gauge on each firm’s
culture and decide which of these cultures you feel you best fit in with. Other factors that can go into
choosing the firms that you want to recruit with are types of industries the firm may specialize in as well
as whether they have any programs that interest you.
What Should I Be Recruiting For?
If you are a..
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Sophomore (2 summers left): Summer leadership programs
Junior (1 summer left): Internships
Senior: Full-Time
Internship and full-time offers are generally given during the Fall semester, and summer leadership
program offers are usually extended during the Spring semester. This is a general rule of thumb, there
are exceptions.
Summer leadership programs (SLPs) are conferences in the summer hosted by accounting firms to give
invited students a better look at their firm. Internship offers are usually extended to participants as well
following the conference. Even if you are ahead of the recruiting season, we recommend starting early
so you can start gaining a good reputation with recruiters and accounting professionals. If you are a
freshman, several accounting firms also have programs offered to freshman students as well.
Recruiting Basics
Networking Events
It is in your best interest to attend networking events prior to Meet the Firms as well. This way, you can
get a better gauge on which firm has a culture that you feel you can resonate with. You will also have
more chances to meet professionals. In some cases, professionals in speaker meetings will also be
present at Meet the Firms as well.
For instance, after each of our speaker meetings, students have a chance to network with the firm’s
professionals. By meeting professionals at the speaker meeting, you will have more of a chance to make
an impression. Although speaker meetings and accounting fest do not have an official dress code,
coming dressed up and business-casual can make a difference. To make the best impression, dress up
and take notes so you can ask questions at the end of each meeting.
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When Diversity Event or Accounting Fest are offered, attend these as well! They’re valuable
opportunities for you to continue making a good impression on the firm. Other helpful events include
office hours, office tours, mock interviews and more.
Meet the Firms
Visit the gallery on our website for pictures of past Meet the Firms events to know what to expect. You
can also get a good handle on what the dress code is like for Meet the Firms, which is business
professional. To help yourself stand out more, invest in a suit and have it tailored for the best fit. Keep
your nails clean and short. Keep makeup minimal. You don’t need to buy an expensive suit! Tailoring
and fit is more important.
Choose two to three firms you are interested in and get to know as many people as you can from this
firm during Meet the Firms.
Tip: You will often see a long line of people standing to meet the recruiter. However, take the time to
reach out to the professionals as well! They are the people you will most likely be working with and can
give you a good idea of what the firm’s culture is like. This way, you can form a positive impression on
many people from the firm and become a stronger candidate.
The professional has taken the time to attend our Meet the Firms, so come ready with a smile and a
positive attitude.
After every conversation, ask for the professional’s business card so you can email them a thank-you
note the night of or the day after. Your thank-you note should be short and simple and include details
on what you had spoken with him/her about the night before.
Tip: After a conversation with a professional, write details about what you had talked about on the back
of their business card. You will have an easier time recalling the details of your conversation when you
send your thank-you note.
Being Prepared (What to Bring)
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A resume portfolio (available for purchase in office supply stores or the Titan bookstore)
Resumes
o When you have a good conversation with a professional at MTF, give them your resume
so they can better remember you by the end of the night.
o Using resume paper (generally $8 to $10 for 100 sheets) is a nice touch.
Good questions about the firm
o Do your research beforehand so you will not ask questions that can be easily found on
the website
o Research and compile a good list of questions to ask the professional about his/her own
personal experiences as well. This also helps you gain a greater awareness of which firm
and which service line is the best for you as well.
Being Prepared (Making Conversation)
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Practice a good and firm handshake.
Try to keep your conversation between 5 to 10 minutes so that the professional will have time
to talk to other students as well.
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Be polite to the professional and to other students. When someone is talking, do not interrupt
them midway. Such behavior is noticeable and does not lead to the type of impression you
want to make.
Be prepared to also talk about why you are interested in the firm. Do they have a specialty in an
industry you are interested in? Have you gotten along very well with people you’ve met from
the firm? Are there programs the firm offers that interests you? (Tying back into researching on
the firm)
Ask about the professional’s experiences. This is a great time for you to learn more not just
about the firm but about public accounting and what service line may be best for you. If you get
multiple offers, this information will be helpful as you make your decision.
Turning in Your Resume and Cover Letter
California State University, Fullerton offers many resources for you to have your resume and cover letter
reviewed. There are two separate career centers on campus where you can have your resume and cover
letter reviewed: the Business Career Center and the Career Center in Langsdorf Hall. Both have
knowledgeable specialists who will can review your resume and cover letter.
Do not make the mistake of neglecting your cover letter. A cover letter is often what captures the
recruiter’s attention. Your cover letter is critical. Although it can seem intimidating, as a CSUF
Accounting student, you have access to many resources that can help you create a polished and
professional cover letter.
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LH Career Center
Business Career Center
BAP Career Development Workshops: helps AS and BAP members prepare for Meet the Firms,
resumes, cover letters, and more
AS-BAP Mentoring Program: resume and cover letter review sessions
Public Speaking program: helps AS and BAP members prepare for their interviews while
practicing their public speaking skills
Important: Complete your on campus orientation if you haven’t done so already! If you haven’t
completed your OCI, you may not be able to attend an On Campus Interview. If significant time has
passed since your last OCI, you may need to attend another one. See career center for more details.
Tip: Remember to mention your CPA eligibility date (when you will achieve your 150 units) on your
resume.
Interviews
If you are invited for an interview, it will generally be an on-campus interview. If the on-campus
interview is successful (this is known as a first-round interview), you will generally be invited to a
second-round interview that takes place at the firm’s office. Second-round interviews generally include a
lunch as well with professionals from the firm. In some firms, you will also have an interview buddy (an
associate at the firm) who will guide you to your interviews and get to know you.
Tip: Come prepared with good questions to ask your interviewer. For instance, you can ask questions
about what their experiences have been like in their firm. The conversation should extend naturally.
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Tip: To prepare for interviews and improve your public speaking skills, attend our public speaking
program!
As an AS/BAP member, you also have access to our valuable mock interviews event with accounting
professionals from accounting firms. At the Career Center in LH, you can also schedule an appointment
with the business advisor for a mock interview. You will be recorded during a 45-minute interview, and
afterwards, the specialist will review the recording with you to determine ways in which you can
improve.
Tips for Success
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Have a good first impression.
o Have a good handshake
o Dress professionally
o Smile... a positive attitude and a smile goes a long way.
o Smile! Smiling will help you feel less nervous.
o Break the ice and tension by making small talk. Point out something interesting about
the firm or simply ask the professional how he/she is doing that day.
o Introduce yourself with enthusiasm
PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE
o Attend our public speaking program to be prepared for your interview.
o Join the mentoring program which helps prepare AS/BAP members for every stage of
the recruiting process.
o Practice answering interview questions in front of the mirror or on camera.
o Pay attention to behavioral questions.
o Reach out to friends and family to mock-interview you.
o Prepare good questions. One of our ambassadors had a 45-minute interview where
after the first 15 minutes, the interviewer stopped asking questions and immediately
asked “what questions do you have for me?” Think about what you would say in that
situation.
Remember: this interview is also a chance for you to see if the firm is a good fit for you as well.
You are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.
Get involved: Getting involved in a committee in Accounting Society can help you stand out in
the recruiting process. Becoming a chair member shows initiative. You can also build up good
experiences to draw upon in interviews, while building up your teamwork and leadership skills.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO become involved in Accounting Society. Joining Accounting Society gives you many opportunities to
not only network with professionals but build relationships and friendships with other accounting
students who you may see again in the future!
DO make friends in Accounting Society. We have fun socials where you can meet other accounting
students and make friends. We also have a new buddy system where you can have an Accounting
Society buddy.
DO attend as many AS/BAP events as you can.
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DO read the New Member Guide to Accounting Society. You should receive this in the confirmation
email to your inbox after paying for your membership fee.
DO become familiar with the no-show policy.
DO get involved on social media! You can win prizes on our Facebook page and show AS pride on our
Instagram.
DO encourage your friends to join Accounting Society.
DON’T worry if you don’t know many people in Accounting Society. Our socials will give you many
chances to meet other AS members, many of whom are also new members!
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