Advice on training

Advice on training

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After graduating, I found a role of trainee accountant in a small firm of Chartered Accountants. Having worked in this firm more than a year, I have identified following problems:

1.Cannot see any job progression beyond preparing accounts and assisting the firm's auditor in external audits.
2.Limited on the job support
3.Limited study support
4.No feedback on progression
5.No structure to training

I do realise that there would always be limitations to what a small firm with limited resources can offer to their trainees. Could be it be, that these problems I have outlined is due to the fact, that this firm has never trained any professional accountants before?

I despapeterly want to work in a small practice, because I believe this would give me all round experience of accountancy and possibly the experince I would need to fulfill my ambition of having my own practice one day.

Can somebody advise me whether I should look for new opportunities or stick to my current post. I do know that, if I did speak to my current employers and told them of my concerns, they would listen to me, but it is unlikely there would change their 35 years of work habits for a trainee accountant?

ANDREW DAVIS

Replies (7)

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By AnonymousUser
24th Jul 2002 13:34

The secret of good comedy is timing
and so is the secret of changing jobs. Employers always know that there must be some disatisfaction involoved when someone leaves a job but they always want to see that there is a positive side.When studying it is always better to leave at a stage, ie just finished one level/qualification and want to move forward with the experience and qualification. The approach that starts off with "I want to get away" makes the interviewer wonder whether or not you will do the same to them.

I can't add anything to the foregoing comments all of which are helpful and constrfuctive.

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By AnonymousUser
24th Jul 2002 09:38

That's right Anon...
...you can be proud to say that you work for an internationally recognised firm, perhaps you have someone like Andersen in mind?

I would say if you feel that the training is not up to scratch it will take you an awful long time to get the wide range of experience you need.

Probably worth contacting other firms in the area, and seeing what they have to offer, you need to get full details on the training package, as some firms are more generous than others.

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By Accounting WEB
23rd Jul 2002 22:54

What exactly do you want to do in life?

Andrew,

I sympathise with your predicament but what do you want to do in life?

Do you want to be a professional and being recognised at parties or do you want to stick with smaller firms just for the sake of experience?

If you want a good professional career with good money then you need to move on. You can't stay with a one band practice where the sole partner reaps all the benefits. Large firms will recognise your abilities and promote you accordingly.

It is competitive but it is worth while. You can be proud to say you work for so and so rather than saying that you work for Joe Blogg round the corner!

Hope this tells you what I think of smaller firms!

Best regards,

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By Accounting WEB
24th Jul 2002 10:19

Balanced view

Hi

I work for one of the big 5 (or sorry 4) firms in the ABAS division, which means all I do is audit. It is specialised but as I am based in a regional office and not in London, I at least get a variety of clients to audit (i.e. not just Banks or Pension schemes!)

A smaller firm can offer a greater variety of experience with accounts and tax work, which I would like to obtain. Smaller firms may have less Kudos, but it is the quality of training and exam support which counts and not the type of work.

Staying with a one-man band where the sole partner reaps all the benefits is bad. But equally being 'drowned' in a Large firm where your ability and talent are hidden in an 'ocean' is not good either.

A good firm should recognise professional excellence regardless of its size.


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By neileg
23rd Jul 2002 09:01

Speaking from experience
As someone who trained in a small firm and who was also training partner in a small firm, I have seen both sides of the fence.

My experience of both roles suggests that you need to talk to the person responsible for training. An ambition to tackle a wide range of work, when it is coupled with a willingness to get on with whatever is put your way, is very useful in a small firm. You have to be realistic about what is available for you to do, but if the partners don't know you are keen to get on, how do you expect them to respond.

The key to the relationship (like most relationships) is communication.

My grounding in a small firm has lead me to have a can-do approach to just about anything. My career has been so varied that there's little I haven't done, though I've plenty of ambitions left. You just nee to be prepared to put your head up and be counted. You might attract a few potshots, but you'll see much more of life, inside and outside of accountancy.

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By AnonymousUser
23rd Jul 2002 04:30

Knowledge level/competence
Pls sit back and relook at your achievements :

1) your relationship with your immediate superior
2) the qualification of your superiors - quite often I find that "unqualified bosses" restrict their subordinates from being a "rising star"
3) what have you achieved so far? Have you learn up the finer technical aspects within the short span of stay in this small firm?
4) like what the earlier respondent said - "be patient". Sometimes, superiors like to test your patience. Maybe they learn the "patient way"; so they enforce such a practice on you and other poor fellas
5) do you actually have a formal training programme? Whereby you could see your step-by-step up the ladder of success? If not, I do not think they have proper plans for you. Try talking to your immediate superior about this and find out.
6) Worst come worst, try seeking employment in another similar size or small firm. This shall be the last resort, but try all means to exhaust all your avenues for career progression/improvement in your current employment before taking this drastic decision.


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By User deleted
23rd Jul 2002 11:30

Coommucation is the key
I agree with what the others have said. I too trained in a small firm and was part qualified when i moved away from the area.

Small firms give the best all round training but you have to stick with them longer than a year to see the fruits of your labours.

Speak to the partners, i'm sure they will be only to happy to help out someone who really wants to progress.

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