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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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,
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.
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.
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.