Middle Market Accounting Firms File Discrimination Lawsuit Against PPA Students

Representatives from several accounting firms joined together in the filing of a class-action lawsuit against Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) students in the Mays Business School on Monday. Grant Thornton, one of several plaintiffs, has spent hundreds of dollars in recruiting efforts competing for these elite undergrads to no avail. Each year is no different than the last as students look down their noses and over their bifocals at the recruiters of lesser firms.

The decision to file a lawsuit was made as a last ditch effort to encourage better treatment of “middle market” recruiters by these exceptionally qualified students, whose relevant work experiences consist of completing Accounting 327. Though few have formal internship experience, these superior pupils have managed to complete at least three semesters worth of accounting courses at one of the nation’s top middle-tier business schools.

“We are consistently treated as second class accountants,” said Jeremy Jones, a Grant Thornton senior associate and lead campus recruiter. Defeated and with job offers in hand, Jones added that he only wanted to give the students an opportunity to make more money than they have ever had in their lives while giving them real-world experience in a company that has offices across the nation.

Over the years, Jones and others have discerned the ability to see through these top-notch scholars’ uncandid interests during recruiter-student interactions. “The way these students look at us, along with their attempts to avoid our phone calls and interview requests, is blatantly discriminatory,” said Jones.

Some students, however, did acknowledge the benefits of the smaller firms. “It seems like Grant Thornton has a great culture where I would be valued long term, but the partners at KPMG were so much fun at Chimy’s last night,” said junior accounting major Olivia Munoz. Munoz plans on working for one of the Big Four accounting firms in the future, where she is certain that her work-life balance goals will be easily maintained.

At the time of reporting, it appears that a landmark decision will be made next month in Working Adults v. Entitled Millennials. Although Munoz won’t be in court during the case, her mind will definitely be on the topic as she cuts into a $40 Christopher’s House Filet, courtesy of EY.          

 

—Mugdown Staff