What are the long-term career prospects in Accountancy?

Is Accountancy the right career? And what are the long-term career prospects in these times of uncertainty?

Recent surveys suggest that young accountants are shunning Big Four firms. At the same time large accounting firms are starting to target school leavers rather than grads.

Are high street firms in a position to pick up recruits who shun the big firms?

What advice would you give someone getting involved in the profession?