Accounting Vacation Internships - 2009/10 (3 Viewers)

[La Divina]

So has anyone applied and heard anything? If so, what division and office?

I applied just before the closing dates so I'm worried I've missed out

 

[paperpromises]

Was wondering if one of these threads would pop up xD *has posted on too many forums' grad discussion threads because they didn't have vac threads*

I'm in Melboune I applied for KPMG, EY and PwC at around the same time (probably around 3-4 weeks ago?)... KPMG was the quickest to respond by far and I've already signed on to do Vac work in their Government Advisory division. Had to wait for a while for the other two; then I heard from both on the same day - yesterday (funny how that happens)! Rejection email from EY and invite to online testing for PwC but I've withdrawn my application from them since then.

What division(s)/firm(s) have you applied for? Good luck, I'm sure you're not too late (especially if you've preferenced an area where they take on more than a couple of vaccers) - it just might take them longer to get back to you since there's more apps to sort through.

 

[La Divina]

I applied mainly for restructuring/corporate finance at all the Big 4 firms. I dont' think they take many people in those divisions though, I assume it's also competitive. My second preference for all of them was in tax.

I guess PwC in Sydney would have most likely made offers already, seeing as though they have no offical closing date and started interviews mid-March.

I guess I will have to be patient.

 

[John0]

I applied to all the big four firms, got a reject email from PwC, upto the interview stages for deloitte and EY over the next two weeks. Havent heard anything from KMPG atm. I wouldnt be too worried if you havent heard anything back yet, after next week I would start worrying. My pref for Deloitte were tax, for EY assurance.

Congrats Paper on getting into KMPG, getting an offer this early seems pretty quick, did the melbourne apps open earlier or something?

 

[paperpromises]

Thanks John I was really surprised at how quickly everything happened actually, they were pretty efficient! They called me 15 minutes after I finished at the assessment centre; I thought I'd left something behind at their offices haha.

Applications opened in Melbourne on March 1, although I think KPMG had the same opening date for apps Australia-wide, it was only the closing dates that were different for each states. I submitted my app about two weeks after they opened.

GL for EY and Deloitte! I have friends doing cadetships at both firms, they love it

 

[La Divina]

How soon after your application submission did you hear from Deloitte and EY? Grats btw

 

[John0]

Thanks guys, I submitted my apps for Deloitte and EY roughly mid march, they called me today and yesterday. I know directly from the grad recruit team at Deloitte that they only started calling ppl after apps closed, so it wouldnt be surprising if you hear from them early next week. This might be the same case with EY. You havent recieved any reject emails yet, so theres no reason why they cannot invite you to a interview session.

Im assuming KPMG started recruiting ppl while they were still taking apps based on what Paper has said. I done the KPMG app a day before it was meant to close so i doubt ill hear from them lol.

Paper, did they give details about pay etc ? Would be interesting to know what KPMG is offering...

 

[paperpromises]

Did Deloitte really only start calling after apps closed? Because I have a friend who has an assessment centre for Deloitte on Monday and she said she was called about a fortnight ago. Then and again she was part of their Development Program so maybe the process is a bit different for them.

KPMG definitely started recruiting before the app deadline; my AC was on the Wednesday before apps closed! I get paid $26.20/hr. I reckon it'd be interesting to see how the pay compares across the Big4 or even across the divisions of the same firm...!

 

[John0]

Im doing the Deloitte Development program with Deloitte atm, definitely recommend it to any first yrs reading this. But it was the same application process regardless if we were in that program.

I just checked the closing dates for Deloitte, they closed earlier on the 22nd in Melbourne, which adds up with what you said. I thought that was abit unfair starting the recruiting process while they're still taking apps, cant exactly complain to them about it though lol.

KPMG pay is real good, ill let you know how it compares with Deloitte and EY.
Im guessing you start in DEC?

 

[paperpromises]

That's odd... wonder why she got contacted early then. Yeah, I definitely regret not applying for the Development Program... I didn't get clued into all this career-head-start stuff till after apps closed

This rolling recruitment business seemed a bit unfair to me at first too, but then someone mentioned that if one firm starts recruiting before app deadlines, then they've got a higher chance of picking up all the good applicants, so that leads to others starting to recruit earlier, and it just snowballs from there. Makes sense I guess.

I actually start in Jan The KPMG vac program starts on Nov 30 but if I get accepted to go on exchange for next semester, I'll be in the US until mid-Dec, so I got my 8 weeks of vac work pushed forward by a month thanks to some awesome people in HR and the division I'm heading into I was really impressed with how they were willing to let me do that... was totally stressing that I'd have to choose between exchange and the vac program!

 

[John0]

Apps for Deloitte closed on the 31st in Sydney thats why i only heard from them on thursday.

Thats heaps good how they worked your summer vac around your exchange, I didnt think they would be so acomodating considering the number of applicants they get.

I get what you mean by saying that recruiting before the apps close would get better applicants in first. But its a pretty big assumption that all higher quality applicants will apply early, still my opinion isnt going to change how the firms recruit.

You should have alook at the Deloitte Development program(apps close later this yr i think), PwC runs a simillar program as well.the Dev program are run for 1st and 2nd yr students, yet I still met some final yr/3rd yr students doing it. It would be a good way to experience different firms while you're doing the vacation program at KPMG.

 

[La Divina]

What exactly does the Development program involve?

 

[John0]

They run four workshops over a year they cover topics such as Deloitte's Service lines, Resume/Interview tips, Public speaking/communication skills, I havent had the last workshop yet though. Last two I mentioned are probably the most benefical.

Most of the workshops you are generally working in a group to prepare a presentation on a topic such as Corporate Social Responsiblity or Deloitte's service lines. Its very good preperation since its very simllar to Deloitte's actual group assessment. Resume/interview tips were very helpful to improve any weaknesses you might have in your Resume and to improve how you approach interview questions.

The best aspect I found of the program was the opportunity to network and meet staff at Deloitte and other students in the same position. You would get the opportunity to meet recent graduates that are currently working at Deloitte who can answer questions you might have on the service lines. Its also great since you do get to see some of Deloitte's work culture etc.

Hope that helps.

 

[La Divina]

Yes it did, thanks for the info

What is the weekly commitment like? How far apart in terms of time are the workshops and how long do they run for?

 

[John0]

There isnt a weekly commitment for this program, its just workshops held at four different dates during a year. Its spread out enough so it wouldnt make a huge impact on uni/work commitments. They generally start at around 9 or so in the morning and finish early in the afternoon. Its not a form of employment like the vacation program, you just come in for those 4 workshops throughout the year, otherwise there is no other involvement. Its still a good way to get ahead of everyone else, since there is virtually no other programs on offer if you are a first yr or not in ur 2nd last yr.

 

[paperpromises]

Yep! I was really relieved that they let me start later. I suppose it helped that Government Advisory isn't that big so I'm pretty sure they only take on one vacationer, so logistically that makes it easier as opposed to having different vaccers starting at different times in the same division. But yeah, very happy with that

I knew that PwC runs something for uni students in earlier years, I applied in my first year and didn't make the cut So if I applied this year for the Development program and got accepted, I'd be in next year's intake? Interesting... It'd definitely be a good way to see the differences between the two firms. I have a friend doing her cadetship at Deloitte and she loves it there.

 

[John0]

If you were to apply this year(closes later this year) the workshops would be run over 2009 and 2010. I applied in the later half of 2008, they ran 1 workshop in 2008, with the remaining in early 2009.

Im going to have alook at PwC's program, is the application process pretty simple?

 

[La Divina]

Yay got a group interview with Corporate Restructuring Group with Deloitte ^^

Yes - they called on a Saturday!

 

[John0]

Congrats, wow a saturday? They called me around 7ish in the evening on thursday and i thought that was late. Is ur assessment day this wednesday coming?

 

[La Divina]

Thanks

I have mine on the Tuesday coming. Do you start in Dec or Jan for tax?