In most cases, you are better off with a Big 4 name on your CV. Whether or not it is justified, most employers regard Big 4 trained chartered accountants as the top in the profession.
Brendan
Thanks for the info guys,
Just one more question, what happens if I join the one of the big 4 (or any other company) sign a training contract for 3 yrs and decide to leave after a few months?
Knowing plenty of accountants, I have not heard of anyone who turned down a job in a big 4 practice to join a smaller firm.
Another option is to train in a small practice and then do a year or two in Big 4. I'd recommend this option rather than the other way around tbh. If a small practice are taking on a qualified accountant then, in my experiance, they expect that person to be able to finish accounts and deal with the queries etc and present the file to the partner/manager for review...they don't expect to train them in to the job.
Re your first point, I disagree, the overtime is ridiculous, they are always understaffed and the situation is getting worse (especially in FS Audit), the busy season is now practically all year round, however you're presumably young and sure you can prob hack it for a few years.Also, don't take too much notice of what you here about them being slavedrivers (overtime etc..). Don't get me wrong it is true but it happens everywhere!
Consider your own situation, Will you be moving to a new City by yourself? If so Big 4 might be better from a Social standpoint than a small firm which might only have 2 or 3 trainees (whom you might or might not get on with)
Re your first point, I disagree, the overtime is ridiculous, they are always understaffed and the situation is getting worse (especially in FS Audit), the busy season is now practically all year round, however you're presumably young and sure you can prob hack it for a few years.
strong1 said:Also I was thinking of applying to the banks to do my training there
I think that if you are seriously considering the Big 4, don't let the overtime issue put you off-it may not be an issue, or you are young enough to handle it for a while, or consider that you will be paid, or have time off in lieu.
I think that if you are seriously considering the Big 4, don't let the overtime issue put you off-it may not be an issue, or you are young enough to handle it for a while, or consider that you will be paid, or have time off in lieu.
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