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Crafting a Standout Resume for the Big 4

When it comes to landing a coveted position at a Big 4 accounting firm, the resume is your first opportunity to make a lasting impression. As a former Big 4 co-op student who is now a senior auditor, Saloni has valuable insights to share on what can help set your resume apart.

Even as a first-year student with limited work experience, Saloni found that highlighting unique hobbies and extracurricular activities on her resume helped capture the attention of interviewers. For example, her experience as a volunteer skating instructor and her involvement in a campus club where she utilized Google Drive to improve efficiency were topics that piqued the interest of the hiring team at PwC.

Saloni emphasizes the importance of aligning your resume with the values and priorities of the specific firm you’re applying to. “If you see that there’s something that they’re really passionate about like whether it be the environment, technology, or teamwork, maybe have some points on your resume that kind of relate to that so you can speak on it during your interviews,” she advises.

Navigating the Transition from Junior to Senior Auditor

The role of a junior auditor often involves a significant amount of independent work, problem-solving, and learning on the job. Saloni recalls her experience as a junior, where she was tasked with specific audit sections or tasks and was expected to manage her time and resources effectively to complete the work.

“I found that I did a lot of independent work, just working, actually doing the audit work, and then if I had questions, I would go to my team members or then maybe once in a while, I’d ask the client,” Saloni explains. As she progressed through her co-op terms, Saloni’s responsibilities gradually increased, and she was given more opportunities to communicate directly with the client, with her seniors providing guidance and support as needed.

The transition to a senior auditor role brings a shift in focus and responsibilities. “I spent a lot less time doing actual audit work and testing, and a lot more of my time allocation is either doing a lot of admin work, like project management, coordinating with internal PwC teams or the client,” Saloni shares. Additionally, as a senior, she spends a significant portion of her time coaching and mentoring junior team members, ensuring they have the support and guidance they need to succeed.

Developing the Mindset of a Successful Auditor

Saloni believes that the ability to maintain a questioning mindset and demonstrate professional skepticism are essential characteristics for an effective auditor. “I think you need to really have professional skepticism, like you need to be able to ask, ‘Why is this happening?’ or ‘I think just have a questioning mindset,'” she explains.

This approach allows auditors to add value to their work by challenging the status quo and exploring alternative solutions. Saloni emphasizes the importance of approaching client interactions with a collaborative and curious mindset, rather than an accusatory one. “I always try to start my emails or my questions by providing context, like, ‘Hey, so from what I understand, based on prior years or this document, this is what I think should be, but you guys are doing this. Can you explain to me why you’re doing it?'” she says.

By fostering a culture of open communication and understanding, auditors can navigate sensitive client interactions more effectively and uncover opportunities for improvement.

Navigating the Demands of Busy Season

The dreaded “busy season” is a reality for many auditors, and Saloni has firsthand experience managing the long hours and intense workload. She notes that the number of hours worked can vary significantly depending on the client and the complexity of the audit, with some teams logging as many as 80 or even 100 hours per week during peak periods.

As a senior, Saloni’s time is divided between coaching and mentoring junior team members, coordinating with clients and internal teams, and executing her own audit work. “I probably put like 40% of my time into coaching, 30% into client calls and admin work, and then the other 30% is actual testing work,” she estimates.

To maintain her well-being during these demanding periods, Saloni emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and carving out time for self-care. “I did find that it’s kind of similar to school, where I remember being so stressed out in school, but if you have protected time, like, ‘I’m going to take Friday nights off, this is my night,’ and then actually making some sort of plan to look forward to, even if that’s just watching a movie or going on TikTok for three hours, it helps,” she shares.

Saloni also encourages taking breaks throughout the day, whether it’s a quick coffee run with a colleague or a short walk around the office. “I try to take opportunities to take more breaks. I think it’s a lot harder when I work from home personally, I don’t necessarily take that many breaks. I’m just at my desk the entire day working,” she acknowledges.

Strategies for Staying Organized and Efficient

With the multitude of tasks, deadlines, and client interactions that come with the senior auditor role, maintaining a high level of organization is crucial. Saloni has developed a system that helps her stay on top of her responsibilities.

“I have a Google sheet, like a huddle board, where I have all the key information that’s related to the audit, like deadlines, key links, key contacts,” she explains. “It’s kind of like a frequently asked questions section where the team can go and have a lot of their common questions answered, and it’s also good for me to kind of see, ‘Oh, these are the key deliverables that I have to get done.'”

In addition to her digital tools, Saloni also relies on good old-fashioned pen and paper to keep her organized. “I’ll wake up in the morning and I’ll write down on a piece of paper, ‘These are the things I want to do today,’ in the first maybe 30 minutes, so then when I actually get started in my workday, I can stay on track,” she shares.

By combining digital and analog methods, Saloni has found a system that works for her and helps her maintain control over her busy schedule.

Advice for Aspiring Big 4 Professionals

As Saloni reflects on her journey from a co-op student to a senior auditor, she offers some valuable advice for those aspiring to join the ranks of the Big 4:

• Embrace the learning curve: “We’re not saving lives here,” Saloni reminds us. “Of course, the work that we do is important, and you’re providing a lot of value to your co-workers and your clients, but I think just to remember at the end of the day, you’re not supposed to know all the answers.”
• Develop a questioning mindset: “Having that ability to be like, ‘Yeah, just because you’ve done this for 10 years doesn’t mean you’ve been doing it right,’ or even just having the confidence to be like, ‘No, but I still want to understand why you’re doing it the way you’re doing it,'” is crucial, Saloni emphasizes.
• Prioritize self-care: “I think just having that understanding that, ‘Okay, I’m going to work hard, but at the same time, don’t put extra pressure on myself because it’s stressful as it is,'” Saloni advises. Establishing boundaries and making time for activities you enjoy can help mitigate the stress of the job.

By embracing a growth mindset, maintaining a curious and professional approach, and prioritizing self-care, aspiring Big 4 professionals can navigate the challenges of the industry and position themselves for long-term success.