As a new or junior accounting student, navigating fall recruitment can be challenging. Whether you’re looking for Articling jobs or Co-op work terms, Crowe MacKay’s accounting student recruiting team shares important information about fall recruitment and how you can best navigate this busy time to create the results and career opportunities you want.
Stay informed of important dates, deadlines, and events
There are many important dates, deadlines and events you need to be aware during fall student recruitment, such as when:
- The recruitment process starts
- Recruitment events are held
- Firms begin accepting student applications
- Candidate interviews start
- Job offers are sent
This varies across Canada and should be one of the first items you look into so you don’t miss any opportunities. Here are some resources you could use to find the majority of this information:
- Your Local CPA Chapter
- Accounting student Clubs
- Post-Secondary Institute’s Co-Op Office
When Work Opportunities Become Available
Generally speaking, accounting firms hire in the spring and/or fall for positions that will start the following calendar year. At Crowe MacKay, and most other large to medium-sized firms, start dates are typically September or January for full-time students and January or May for many co-op positions.
Know that dates can vary from one organization to the next so be sure to do your research to get the right information about the firm(s) you’re interested in.
Recruitment Guidelines
If you’re looking to become an accountant, students in Alberta or British Columbia looking for details provided by their local CPA Chapter, visit CPA B.C. or CPA AB’s post-secondary recruitment guidelines webpages. CPA Chapters in the Northwest Territories and Yukon do not have recruitment guidelines. This means that firms can post opportunities as they become available and is recommended that you watch their website for new opportunities or subscribe to their student newsletter to be notified directly.
Prepare for and attend on-campus and in-office networking events
There are many chances to network with potential employers. Universities typically host career fairs on campuses, while accounting firms and your local CPA Chapter often host off-campus information sessions and other networking events.
It is useful to come to a networking event prepared. CPA B.C.’s “Student Recruitment Tips for Success” offers advice on how students can best prepare and make a great first impression. Some of the advice they give includes:
- Research the accounting firms you are interested in
- Craft a 30-second elevator speech that will communicate who you are, what you’re looking for, and how your skills can benefit the company/organization
- Prepare tailored questions for the employer you intend to visit
- Arrive early to avoid long waiting lines to speak with your preferred companies
Networking events largely take place during fall student recruitment and spring/summer student recruitment. If you want to give yourself the best chance for success when applying for work, our team recommends students start attending recruitment events as early as their 2nd or 3rd academic year.
Does the thought of networking make you sweat? Our accountants share their tips!
Work on the development of your network
Removing yourself from recruitment after accepting an offer
It is strongly advised that once you accept a job offer, you honour it and stop all recruitment activities. That means, if you are given an offer letter from your first-choice employer and have already accepted an opportunity from your second or third choice, you should honour the first contractual agreement you’ve accepted. If you choose to go another direction after already accepting an offer, keep professionalism top of mind, letting the firm you’ve accepted an offer from first know as soon as possible.
Remember, during the recruitment process you are establishing yourself as a professional and building your personal brand. This is how accounting firms will remember you and will form the foundation of many of the relationships you build during the networking process. Honouring your job offer speaks to your commitment and loyalty and will continue to benefit your relationships — even those with competing accounting firms!
More details on job offers can be read in CPA Alberta’s “CPA Alberta Post-secondary Recruitment Framework,” which discusses how to best manage receiving, accepting, and rejecting opportunities.
About Crowe MacKay
At Crowe MacKay, we are dedicated to the on-going training and development of accounting professionals. We provide the essential elements, in the form of high-quality practical experience, peer support, and the day-to-day training necessary to achieve your professional accounting designation. Our CFE students exceed national pass rates and continue to be recognized on the National Honor Roll. We provide top-tier training and mentorship and have been recognized as an employer of choice. With over 50 years of expertise, we continue to create lasting value. Come grow with us!Subscribe to our Student Newsletter
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