What's most important to you in choosing which firm of accountants to join

I would like to know what is important to you if you are thinking of joining the profession.

Here are a few suggestion, please let me know what attracts you most:-

1. The starting salary
2. The prestige of the firms 'name' for your cv
3. The location - if so, where is best
4. The size of clients
5. specialist sectors - if so, which
6. Early responsibility
7. Working in big teams
8. Working in small teams
9. Opportunity for progression after qualifying at the same firm
10. A friendly atmosphere

Reply 1

alibee

2

Why do you want to know...? I thought you were a partner? Why don't you just ask all the accountants you know?

I don't really think many people have any idea about half the points on that list or what the practical difference between firms would be before they start. How would I know where I will get promotion or early responsibility? Where would be friendly...? Clearly everyone is friendly when you're there having an office tour!

I took my current role because I wanted big 4 mainly due to career opportunities in the future at the firm or elsewhere.

No. 2

OP

Original post by alibee

Why do you want to know...? I thought you were a partner? Why don't you just ask all the accountants you know?

I don't really think many people have any idea about half the points on that list or what the practical difference between firms would be before they start. How would I know where I will get promotion or early responsibility? Where would be friendly...? Clearly everyone is friendly when you're there having an office tour!

I took my current role because I wanted big 4 mainly due to career opportunities in the future at the firm or elsewhere.

Because you guys are the potential employees of the future, and there's far more of you out there in this forum, that's why !

I suggest anyone who wants to start a career in Chartered Accountancy must have eventually have a view on all these and decide which is most important for them. No one firm will excel in all these areas, so if you don't know what you want, and haven't considered it, then don't be surprised if sooner or later you get disappointed, its that straightforward.

The question wasn't whether someone WILL get promoted early, its whether that is an important factor for someone.

Reply 4

snakesnake

10

Original post by ez_accountancy

I would like to know what is important to you if you are thinking of joining the profession.

Here are a few suggestion, please let me know what attracts you most:-

1. The starting salary
2. The prestige of the firms 'name' for your cv
3. The location - if so, where is best
4. The size of clients
5. specialist sectors - if so, which
6. Early responsibility
7. Working in big teams
8. Working in small teams
9. Opportunity for progression after qualifying at the same firm
10. A friendly atmosphere

One thing and one thing alone: are they a Big Four? If not, I'll never even consider them.