Milkrounds 2014/2015

khan1

MrXY wrote: »

Hi, was your PwC interview mainly competency based questions?
I had an interview with EY recently and there was no emphasis on the service line what so ever. I may as well have being going for the job as the janitor for all they knew, just simply whoever talked the most ****e got the job, just wondering if PwC was the same?

Have you got the rejection email from EY yet? I had an interview with them on Saturday for FSO but haven't heard anything so far. You are right though. They did not ask me anything about assurance in both interviews.

MrXY

khan1 wrote: »

Have you got the rejection email from EY yet? I had an interview with them on Saturday for FSO but haven't heard anything so far. You are right though. They did not ask me anything about assurance in both interviews.

No rejection e-mail yet, and I was FSO as well mate. I'm still hoping for a phone call but trying to move on at this stage, so I'd probably rather them put me out of my misery.
I imagine it will be a while before they send out those e-mails, mainly due to the reason that if you get an offer you have a week to accept, so they can be too quick to close the book.

AtticusFinch86

Does anyone take a notebook into the interview? I've been meaning to start doing it just so that I could take quick notes.

MrXY

AtticusFinch86 wrote: »

Does anyone take a notebook into the interview? I've been meaning to start doing it just so that I could take quick notes.

Why on earth would you do that?

milkrounds1516

MrXY wrote: »

mainly due to the reason that if you get an offer you have a week to accept, so they can be too quick to close the book.

Yeah EY have been telling people they have a week/5 days to accept, but PWC and KPMG said that CAI have told the firms they have to give students until the 28th of November to accept. Totallly shady of EY to do this. It's totally preying on people's emotions and fears/doubts etc.

Maid O Connor

I was at the KPMG presentation last night and they told us that we have a month to accept If we get an offer after our interview... that is fair.. Why is there a big push on EY to get a Yes or No offer??

Jakel

Maid O Connor wrote: »

I was at the KPMG presentation last night and they told us that we have a month to accept If we get an offer after our interview... that is fair.. Why is there a big push on EY to get a Yes or No offer??

Last year I had offers from EY and PWC. Let's just say I went running to PWC. Not a fan of EY at all. A very flawed firm imho. I had a number of bad experiences with them as both a client and student.

sin.arjun0705

Just wondering, has anyone heard from BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM yet?

blackwhite

Maid O Connor wrote: »

I was at the KPMG presentation last night and they told us that we have a month to accept If we get an offer after our interview... that is fair.. Why is there a big push on EY to get a Yes or No offer??

I'd imagine that, given their experiences over the past number of years, EY are worried that people who get an initial offer from them might have a preference for one of the other three firms.

They are trying to get their offers out ahead of the pack, and to get people to accept their offer who would, if given the time, otherwise end up at PwC/KPMG/Deloitte.

At least one firm has made a complaint to the Institute this year regarding EY breaching elements of the agreed "Milkround" procedures.
What CAI can do about it I'm not sure, as from what I'm aware it's purely a "gentleman's agreement" designed to keep the process as hassle-free as possible for the firms involved.

Dellboy2007

blackwhite wrote: »

I'd imagine that, given their experiences over the past number of years, EY are worried that people who get an initial offer from them might have a preference for one of the other three firms.

They are trying to get their offers out ahead of the pack, and to get people to accept their offer who would, if given the time, otherwise end up at PwC/KPMG/Deloitte.

At least one firm has made a complaint to the Institute this year regarding EY breaching elements of the agreed "Milkround" procedures.
What CAI can do about it I'm not sure, as from what I'm aware it's purely a "gentleman's agreement" designed to keep the process as hassle-free as possible for the firms involved.

I wouldn't be totally put off by EY. They are way bigger than KPMG internationally and employ roughly the same as pwc around the globe. They have a big presence in places like the U.S, and audit some of the biggest companies in the world. People I know in there, don't mind it at all, they have a great group of friends inside and out of work. Plus they have started giving TOIL now which was one of the biggest problems previously. I know 3 people personally who have travelled to US to work over there on jobs during their contracts.

blackwhite

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

I wouldn't be totally put off by EY. They are way bigger than KPMG internationally and employ roughly the same as pwc around the globe. They have a big presence in places like the U.S, and audit some of the biggest companies in the world. People I know in there, don't mind it at all, they have a great group of friends inside and out of work. Plus they have started giving TOIL now which was one of the biggest problems previously. I know 3 people personally who have travelled to US to work over there on jobs during their contracts.

It's nearly 10 years since I went through the Milkround process :eek:

I've friends who are still in all 4 of the Big 4 (and in some of the Top 10 as well), and I'm just going by what's been coming up in their discussions lately (the ones still in Big 4 are involved in the interview process).

EY have definitely improved on where they were 4/5 years ago, but still are struggling to attract many of their first-choice graduates - hence, they're getting more aggressive in their recruiting. Can't blame them TBH.

They've been playing up the global size of the firm, but in reality global size is only really a factor for bragging rights between staff. All of them are of big enough global scale to make bugger all difference in terms of mobility opportunities, etc.
For someone deciding on whether to join one of the Irish firms, you really should be doing an assessment of the Irish firm in and of itself. The only impact the global firm has on that is what non-Irish clients have Irish subsidiaries that you might work on.
In terms of getting the best experience for moving into industry, auditing the head office of a listed company is what I've found to be the best regarded experience you can have. Irish subsidiaries of big-name US companies will help for if you plan on working in a subsidiary of a US company, but often won't be viewed hugely differently to any other type of client for most other jobs.

McTaggDub

I got offered with 2 firms....delighted, still waiting on hearing about interviews with the others.

Both stated that you have 1 month to decide and send back contracts (one of them is EY). Just call them if you are not sure though but they defo said 1 month to get contract back to them and that is also in the contract I received.

mdarbs88

milkrounds1516 wrote: »

Yeah EY have been telling people they have a week/5 days to accept, but PWC and KPMG said that CAI have told the firms they have to give students until the 28th of November to accept. Totallly shady of EY to do this. It's totally preying on people's emotions and fears/doubts etc.

Not necessarily. Its only fair that a company would want a prompt reply to allow for a fair treatment to the next in line to the position.

I interned with EY for 6 months this year, and can honestly say that it is a fantastic place to work. With regards to study leave and pay all firms are generally similar. But cultures and atmospheres in offices can change considerably between the firms. This is one area which EY has a significant advantage over other firms. Its an extremely fun place to work with a brilliant system of support. Every single person in EY has been helping and enthusiastic about every persons future within the firm since I started. They offer fantastic opportunities both within and outside your service line, with The Entrepreneur of the Year programme and CSR projects.

While it may seem obvious that I would be pro-EY having worked there, but I am being as neutral as I can. All firms are brilliant and unique in their own way, however I believe EY offers more both physically and in terms of culture.

runningwings

Anyone who interviewed with kpmg tax hear back?

GoldFour4

sin.arjun0705 wrote: »

Just wondering, has anyone heard from BDO, Grant Thornton, RSM yet?

Interviewing with BDO on Thursday, didn't applying to the other two.

galwaygalway

Anyone have an interview for audit in Deloitte yet?

bscm

If you accept an offer, is it possible to pull out of the contract later on? Obviously I wouldn't consider going back to the same firm (at least, not for several years).

Most of the other jobs I have applied for start interviewing candidates at a much later date. I equally value all of the positions I've applied for but if I were to have another offer in January, I want to seriously consider that offer before choosing to accept/reject.

Jakel

galwaygalway wrote: »

Anyone have an interview for audit in Deloitte yet?

All I know is that Deloitte Limerick were doing Audit interviews today. Not sure if they made offers today.

gladiator111

McTaggDub wrote: »

I got offered with 2 firms....delighted, still waiting on hearing about interviews with the others.

Both stated that you have 1 month to decide and send back contracts (one of them is EY). Just call them if you are not sure though but they defo said 1 month to get contract back to them and that is also in the contract I received.

Thats class, two offers! Well done man, tough gettin even the one!

What firm/ service line?

Got an offer from Deloitte audit but been put on a shortlist for EY advisory... Anyone know the craic with these shortlists? Are they just a back up for the firm or should I should accept Deloitte?

errlloyd

gladiator111 wrote: »

Thats class, two offers! Well done man, tough gettin even the one!

What firm/ service line?

Got an offer from Deloitte audit but been put on a shortlist for EY advisory... Anyone know the craic with these shortlists? Are they just a back up for the firm or should I should accept Deloitte?

Accept Deloitte I think. I know 2 or 3 people on that EY shortlist and I doubt too many in EY advisory will let it go.

Jdking

gladiator111 wrote: »

Thats class, two offers! Well done man, tough gettin even the one!

What firm/ service line?

Got an offer from Deloitte audit but been put on a shortlist for EY advisory... Anyone know the craic with these shortlists? Are they just a back up for the firm or should I should accept Deloitte?

When did you interview with Deloitte? Dublin office?

jango_fett

Thought only Deloitte regional offices have had interviews

galwaygalway

gladiator111 wrote: »

Thats class, two offers! Well done man, tough gettin even the one!

What firm/ service line?

Got an offer from Deloitte audit but been put on a shortlist for EY advisory... Anyone know the craic with these shortlists? Are they just a back up for the firm or should I should accept Deloitte?

Any tips for me? Have my interview on Thursday. Would really appreciate it!

jango_fett

Anyone having PwC interview this week?

gladiator111

Jdking wrote: »

When did you interview with Deloitte? Dublin office?

Interviewed this morning and got a call after 5, was for a regional office which is why they got back so soon i guess coz of the smaller intake. Thats why im hesitant to take it coz would prefer to be based in dublin and not move back home!

Tips would be just be yourself relax, take it easy but obv do research and know the firm but just try make it about ur personality coz clearly u got the academics.

galwaygalway

gladiator111 wrote: »

Interviewed this morning and got a call after 5, was for a regional office which is why they got back so soon i guess coz of the smaller intake. Thats why im hesitant to take it coz would prefer to be based in dublin and not move back home!

Tips would be just be yourself relax, take it easy but obv do research and know the firm but just try make it about ur personality coz clearly u got the academics.

Thanks! Congrats on the offer Any questions that you weren't expecting?

milkrounds1516

jango_fett wrote: »

Anyone having PwC interview this week?

Yeah tomorrow. People I know that interviewed today have gotten offers already.

khan1

gladiator111 wrote: »

Interviewed this morning and got a call after 5, was for a regional office which is why they got back so soon i guess coz of the smaller intake. Thats why im hesitant to take it coz would prefer to be based in dublin and not move back home!

Tips would be just be yourself relax, take it easy but obv do research and know the firm but just try make it about ur personality coz clearly u got the academics.

Hi man, congratulations on getting the job. Just wondering, did they ask any commercial awareness questions or any technical audit/accounting questions? I have my interview next week at Deloitte.

jango_fett

milkrounds1516 wrote: »

Yeah tomorrow. People I know that interviewed today have gotten offers already.

I see..Assurance Dublin or what service line? Anyone for RAS gone for interview?

milkrounds1516

jango_fett wrote: »

I see..Assurance Dublin or what service line? Anyone for RAS gone for interview?

Yeah both Assurance Dublin. Haven't heard anything about RAS

sin.arjun0705

malistheman wrote: »

Interviewing with BDO on Thursday, didn't applying to the other two.

Ah right! Thanks for that. What did you apply for at BDO?

s15r330

khan1 wrote: »

Hi man, congratulations on getting the job. Just wondering, did they ask any commercial awareness questions or any technical audit/accounting questions? I have my interview next week at Deloitte.

+1 for this Gladiator, any hard or unexpected questions? Any information would be brilliant!

blackwhite

mdarbs88 wrote: »

Not necessarily. Its only fair that a company would want a prompt reply to allow for a fair treatment to the next in line to the position.

It's a different case when that company has entered into an agreement with the Institute that it would allow the same period as the other Big 4, and then reneged on it's agreement.

jango_fett

For those who have had PwC interview, what was the case study like and has anyone done RAS interview?

The___________

bscm wrote: »

If you accept an offer, is it possible to pull out of the contract later on? Obviously I wouldn't consider going back to the same firm (at least, not for several years).

Most of the other jobs I have applied for start interviewing candidates at a much later date. I equally value all of the positions I've applied for but if I were to have another offer in January, I want to seriously consider that offer before choosing to accept/reject.

While the firm may not be pleased with you if you bail on a contract there is nothing they can do to stop you;

In the last few weeks I had to tell Deloitte that I wouldn't be starting with them next September and they were generally very accepting.

Pcmcccbc

jango_fett wrote: »

For those who have had PwC interview, what was the case study like and has anyone done RAS interview?

I had PwC interview today for audit in Dublin. I haven't got great leaving cert results and I found they focused on that alot..why the results? Why did I choose certain subjects? Why did I do honours/ordinary. I have really good results from my undergrad but they didn't really focus on this at all.
I didn't get the tell me about yourself q which I thought would have lead me nicely into the interview. I felt alot of the qs were in a negative light and I was supposed to spin it and bring the answers into a positive light.
Case study wasn't hard, I think it was to really suss out did u know about pwc and what they offer.
As it was my first interview, I felt I wasn't as well prepared as I thought I was so overall I wouldn't be expecting an offer.

jango_fett

Pcmcccbc wrote: »

I had PwC interview today for audit in Dublin. I haven't got great leaving cert results and I found they focused on that alot..why the results? Why did I choose certain subjects? Why did I do honours/ordinary. I have really good results from my undergrad but they didn't really focus on this at all.
I didn't get the tell me about yourself q which I thought would have lead me nicely into the interview. I felt alot of the qs were in a negative light and I was supposed to spin it and bring the answers into a positive light.
Case study wasn't hard, I think it was to really suss out did u know about pwc and what they offer.
As it was my first interview, I felt I wasn't as well prepared as I thought I was so overall I wouldn't be expecting an offer.

I see..How about the competency questions & commercial awareness?

Pcmcccbc

jango_fett wrote: »

I see..How about the competency questions & commercial awareness?

Again not as much as I had been expecting. Asked about the team i worked in as part of my role in industry before i completed my undergrad, what role I took as part of group work in college, when I showed initiative.
Didn't get any commercial awareness qs as such, only what prompted my ideal client answer in my application and what challenges did I think that client would face in the future.
Didn't have problem solving or decision making.

jango_fett

Pcmcccbc wrote: »

Again not as much as I had been expecting. Asked about the team i worked in as part of my role in industry before i completed my undergrad, what role I took as part of group work in college, when I showed initiative.
Didn't get any commercial awareness qs as such, only what prompted my ideal client answer in my application and what challenges did I think that client would face in the future.
Didn't have problem solving or decision making.

Would be good to know if anyone had this experience. I'm for RAS.

Amac93

I got told I was successful at the KPMG interview for audit, and got a call to confirm the contract was on its way. I'm considering not going to any other of my interviews as I had my heart set on KPMG from the start.

Only concern is that the contracts may differ significantly? Does this happen, or do they all tend to be roughly the same and equally as competitive?

Jdking

Amac93 wrote: »

I got told I was successful at the KPMG interview for audit, and got a call to confirm the contract was on its way. I'm considering not going to any other of my interviews as I had my heart set on KPMG from the start.

Only concern is that the contracts may differ significantly? Does this happen, or do they all tend to be roughly the same and equally as competitive?

When did you interview out of interest? Had mine this morning and no joy yet

Amac93

Jdking wrote: »

When did you interview out of interest? Had mine this morning and no joy yet

This morning too! Wouldn't be too worried at all,didn't even think mine went particularly well!!

Jdking

Amac93 wrote: »

This morning too! Wouldn't be too worried at all,didn't even think mine went particularly well!!

you were told at the interview did you say?

They usually are very quick with good news

lightspeed

Anyone hear back from PWC yet? I did an interview with them today in the afternoon. Is it a bad sign that i have not heard anything back yet? They said at the lunch/presentation yesterday that they would let people know by email if they got an offer.

jango_fett

lightspeed wrote: »

Anyone hear back from PWC yet? I did an interview with them today in the afternoon. Is it a bad sign that i have not heard anything back yet? They said at the lunch/presentation yesterday that they would let people know by email if they got an offer.

Are you for tax?

lightspeed

jango_fett wrote: »

Are you for tax?

no assurance but i was at the lunch & presentation for assurance yesterday and did my interview today.

milkrounds1516

jango_fett wrote: »

I see..How about the competency questions & commercial awareness?

Yeah I had PWC today too. No competency based questions really. Just one about teamwork. Really relaxed, very easy going. Really focus on the application. Case study is easy wouldn't worry about it.

milkrounds1516

lightspeed wrote: »

Anyone hear back from PWC yet? I did an interview with them today in the afternoon. Is it a bad sign that i have not heard anything back yet? They said at the lunch/presentation yesterday that they would let people know by email if they got an offer.

Don't stress my friend interviewed there yesterday and didn't get the call till late last night. They do send them by email but they ring too apparently. Look until you've been rejected don't worry. I haven't heard back either and I think my interview went well, and they gave positive feedback to me.

lightspeed

I felt it went well but there some parts i regret where i could have talked more about my potential and why PWC in particular.

Thought of more I should have said after the interview. I also spoke a lot about about banking and insurance and asked question regarding both banking, and asset management. 2 people interviewing me were from asset management and International & Domestic Business. Im a bit worried that I focused too much on banking and insurance though.

They seem quite impressed with me though but i feel i could have demonstrated the reasons why Id like to work in PWC better than I did.

milkrounds1516

Look it's like an exam don't do a post mortum on it. There's nothing more you can do now. But honestly don't stress you'll be fine, and I really wouldn't worry about talking about the wrong sector. I interviewed with 2 INDB people but they seemed to suggest I was interviewing for all audit positions.