Got rejected by KP, my qualifications are as follow:

1. ACCA, completed 4/5 Professional papers, pending Oct result for last paper.
2. Degree, 3.1 cgpa, pending Oct result and very sure will go to 3.2, which is their cgpa threshold.

The e-mail said my qualifications are not up to par with others, thus reject.
I made aware of the above info to interviewers too, but looks like it's no use, on the surface they said my qualification is ok, but seems like they actually want official qualifications.
Also, interview day itself, I know some people only have degree, I don't understand why my qualification is inferior, I did well during interview though, sigh...

I thought 4/5 acca papers is going to cover me, but nope.
Gonna try again after I officially hold both Acca and degree.

This post has been edited by Sasuke95: Oct 1 2017, 02:07 AM

I feel like those firms tend to avoid the risk of failing and also they want to stay on their budgets. If let say u alrdy hold ACCA, they dont need to fork out any of their money. Save cost! Haha! But I also heard of ppl joining without even meeting their degree requirements not sure whether that is through internal referral cuz it is always easier.

You went for the interview dy? I thought the date TBC 😮

I passed the online assessment in mid Sept and the HR asked for my supporting docs and informed me about the group interview but date tbc @@ she said next intake is oct

Its the reverse. Big4 might not hiring someone who already having Acca or ICaew qualification (jz a portion). This is because the turnover rate is very high for those candidates. Those candidates will not have any contract or bond with company and this mean that if they can't handle the pressure, then they just quit easily.

However, for those without professional qualification, they ARE require to complete it and make contract with big4 in return of years of services. This mean that those candidate will be last longer than others and lessen the work of re-hiring.

This is why for permanent position, they are usually aim for the best of the best candidate so that even though they resign but they did provide excellent service to Big4.

This post has been edited by tankwek: Oct 1 2017, 08:50 PM

Ah I see I see!!! So money is nt the factor ah!! How come I do know those who straight away do icaew after spm/pre-u as independent student, they usually can secure an internship with big 4 and vry high chance to be recruited back for their permanent position as compared to degree holders. I always thought that is an advantage since their qualification is much more higher. Thr is vry stiff competition for degree holders to secure an interview with them. :/ !!

of course. This is because those interns already know the culture of big4 well compare to others external candidate. Yes, it did have a advantage. a priority on interview vacancy position. But to actually get it, one still need to done well in interview and assessment la.

Quite worried now, as I did not do my internship in audit line, did mine in an MNC, disadvantage for me compared to those who did their internship with big 4
😢😢😢

In my view, working experience beats paper qualification in most cases when comes to jobs (especially for experienced hire). Imagine if you are hiring a CEO, will you ask which university he came from? I think a degree / professional cert just shows that you can learn and graduated in a controlled environment. Hence, I agree that companies like Big4 treasures internship more than your paper qualification. This is based on the assumption where Big4 don’t simply accept interns and your internship is meaningful (not photocopy).

Higher qualification means nothing to the employer as there is no research indicates that the student can translate what he learn from textbook to work. I take ACCA professional paper for example in the following (syllabus might change during my time)

1) P1 Ethics: Ethics are moral code rather than skill
2) P2 reporting: You are not doing reporting but audit so unlikely you will need it but adequate understanding of dr & cr and what are console adjustments. And accounting standards.
3) P3 Business: Hardly ever used unless you are in management consulting side of Big4
4) P4 Finance: Irrelevant unless you in CF Big4
5) P5 PM: Unsure and never encounter
6) P6 Tax: As auditor you are not required but good if you familiar with deferred tax and tax comp
7) P7 Audit: Too theoretical

As you can see, even ACCA is hardly relevant? However, a high achiever normally are driven by their competitive nature and this is very good motivation if you want to survive in a place where people work until 2AM during peak period.

In my view, it’s much easier for HR to filter based on those that has completed prof qualification / degree than asking all the technical questions. I think it’s more important for fresh grad to display the ability and willingness to learn and work. As I see hundreds of people joining Big4 on yearly basis, HR is bogged down with application process compared to other company. Wouldn’t it be simpler just filter like who pass ACCA go to tray 1, foreign degree tray 2, local degree tray 3, …..

Unless your MNC is much more prestigious than Big4. Big4 is not the top of the pile imo.

Good day everyone. May I know what's the job scope of Business Analyst in Big4?

I really agree on what u said but I mentioned is the requirement for entry lvl ah cuz they value you initially by cert. Once you've joined the workforce, then one really need to put experience as first thing. IRL, I really salute those who are working and at the same time have to spare time for study. I dunno whether I can juggle both sides omg! But just gotta give it a try!
Anyway thanks for such valuable sharings!! Both u and @tankwek!!!

Hi people, i would like to ask if there’s anyone who’s working in big 4 and has yet to complete ACCA? I’m ACCA student from the scratch and I would like to apply for job under the firms while I’m still doing ACCA. I have 3 papers remaining and I’ll be left with one paper after december, hopefully. Any advice? Thanks in advanced!

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This post has been edited by gorillapanda: Oct 25 2017, 11:24 PM

Anyone called for interview by KPMG this coming Thursday?
Quite surprised they give such a short notice, so rush, am from outstation 😣

Any senior from KPMG M? mind to give an insight about this department ,like what industry that this department handle?

Hi all seniors,

i am currently a senior year 2 in one of the midtier SG. Recently, i just gotten PWC SG offer in SME dept as senior year 1.

Shall i stay put and chiong up in my current mid-tier (probably need 1.5 yr more to reach AM in my current firm) or go over?

Pros if going over: $ , branding ,

Cons if going over: not sure about the job exposure, dont have listed co in SME dept , job portfolio might be small.

Future goal : Thinking to switch to internal audit.

Looking forward to get input from you guys.

Thank you

can i ask when did u apply? i still waiting for a reply

You can try SME first then ask for MNC. If you want internal audit in banks, better get engaged with banking client. Banks very different compared to companies

I applied in Aug, passed the online assessment in mid Sept