Student - What path to take?

Student - What path to take?

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I am with a medium sized firm at the moment and there is a break in my contract which comes up in just over half a year, between when I finish AAT and start ACA. This means I can exit the company without having to repay fees.

I intend to just carry on with the firm to do ACA, however I have been thinking about what I want to do after I qualify- my main choice is to move to industry and get as high up in as bigger company as possible.

So I was thinking should I try and get into a big 4 as an AAT qualified to do ACA? It would be a hard few years, commuting into London and working very long hours but it gets a good name on my CV and gets me experience of big companies. 

Doing ACA in a smaller firm means I will be more of less doing the whole audit and will get exposure to the privately owned Ltd's (which I guess is more where I would end up if I went into industry), however going into a big 4 means I am more desirable to larger firms, meaning I have more chance of getting in.

What do you think?

Replies (6)

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By tom123
05th Oct 2014 07:20

You have hit on the essential dichotomy, I think, between big and small.

However, and this is a purely personal view, if you are intending to end up in industry then possibly completing ACA where you are may be preferable.

Seems a waste to get yourself a job with the Big 4 only to plan to leave it on qualification.

Check the job ads for the type of job you ultimately want to see whether they specify that you need Big 4 training. Also be open to the idea that the rest of the world doesn't really care how our profession is structured, and may not always place a premium on the nuances of how you trained.

I have always worked in industry (now at a senior level) and there are views around that those with big 4 training wouldn't even know how to do a bank rec. You may in the end feel your current training path is more likely to get you where you want.

If I were you, I would carry on where you are, get the exams out of the way, and then see what the world looks like. Never feel the need to apologise or diminish your training choices in future interviews either.

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By mrme89
05th Oct 2014 11:13

Although you don't say, from your post, it seems your main goal is to progress rather than pick a path you will enjoy.

 

Jobs are hard to come by and getting into one of the Big 4 will not prove easy.

 

I spoke to a recruitment agent a few months ago. He told me that they don't have enough ACA candidates to meet the demand for industry jobs who just want ACA candidates. I think this is more snobbery than anything else though. Anyway, what I'm trying to get across is that once you are ACA qualified, having worked for a Big 4 firm won't matter as much - I'm not saying working for a Big 4 firm doesn't carry clout, because it does.

 

Unless you really dislike your current role, I think at the stage you are at, focusing on studying rather than career moves will be more beneficial to you in the long run. Once you are qualified you have your whole career to move about.

 

 

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By LondonAccountant
06th Oct 2014 12:19

Will the big 4 take you after AAT? Normally they either want people in as grads/school leavers or after qualification. I would suggest just finishing your qual at the current firm, then see whether there are opportunities you like in industry available to you. If not you can always go into the big 4 as a NQ to get that name on your CV.

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paddle steamer
By DJKL
06th Oct 2014 13:50

Employment protection

Accountants being risk averse, I would also flag what would be the likely outcome if you say failed the exams with your existing firm or failed them as a new start with one of the big four?

In such a scenario I suspect your chance of holding on to a position where you are, ceteris paribus, is probably higher than if you were with one of the big 4.

Not, of course, meant to imply anything re your aptitude etc, just always worthwhile looking at all possibilities, however remote.

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By geroge
06th Oct 2014 19:56

Think about where you want to be in your later career - if you may want to start your own practice, then smaller firm experience is more relevant.

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By HUGH W DUNLOP
06th Oct 2014 20:04
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