[Little Girl Red]

Hi guys,

I'm considering applying for the Deloitte Corporate Finance Advisory Associate position that has just opened for 2012 intake. On reading the description, I was surprised to see that I would be taking the CFQ rather than the ACA qualification.

Is this a poor decision in terms of career longevity? I currently work in an industry that's in decline (mag publishing) and I want out because I want to work somewhere where I can climb the corporate ladder and be successful. Would not having the ACA heavily limit my options?

I definitely want to go into Advisory rather than Audit, Tax, etc – does anybody have any information about salary in this service line? Is it less if you don't do the ACA?

I'd appreciate any info as I have to make a decision quickly about whether to apply. I've done lots of research but you accountants are so contradictory! ;-)

Cheers,
LGR x

[StuPro]

Hi, regarding the qualifications I am sorry I don't know. Have you looked at other Big 4 roles to compare?

Here are a few good sites that helped me in research into big 4 companies and glassdoor is brilliant for salary info, as well as interview questions, etc.

big4gossip has quite a good forum with regular posters from those currently employed within big 4. Although, they do tend to be from audit and tax rather than advisory. But they may well know. Also, I would apply for the job anyway. The question you have would be good to ask at interview.

http://www.wikijob.co.uk/search/apac...earch/deloitte

http://big4gossip.com/

http://www.glassdoor.com/Salary/Delo...L.9,11_IN2.htm

http://www.insidebuzz.co.uk/home.html

Also, I am going to be at deloitte this summer for an internship in actuarial department so I am very pro the company lol! Good luck!

[M1011]

(Original post by StuPro)
...

That glassdoor site is good. Interesting to see that at manager level salaries are pretty even across consulting / audit / tax. Always had it in my mind that consultants got more (think they start about 3k higher?) but it appears that it levels out over time.

I wonder if this is because of the ACA vs CFQ? Is the CFQ less of a time commitment (aka more time working, less time at college to fund)?

I don't really know about the CFQ, but the ACA is supposedly great for career prospects. But to be honest even if the CFQ isn't great (I'm not saying it isn't, I have no idea!) you're still going to have good career prospects coming out of a company like Deloitte. I'd go for it if I was you. Only problem might be that you're going to end up regional at this stage, so if you were after London that might be disappointing.

[StuPro]

(Original post by M1011)
That glassdoor site is good. Interesting to see that at manager level salaries are pretty even across consulting / audit / tax. Always had it in my mind that consultants got more (think they start about 3k higher?) but it appears that it levels out over time.

I wonder if this is because of the ACA vs CFQ? Is the CFQ less of a time commitment (aka more time working, less time at college to fund)?

I don't really know about the CFQ, but the ACA is supposedly great for career prospects. But to be honest even if the CFQ isn't great (I'm not saying it isn't, I have no idea!) you're still going to have good career prospects coming out of a company like Deloitte. I'd go for it if I was you. Only problem might be that you're going to end up regional at this stage, so if you were after London that might be disappointing.

From what I understand, consultants start on higher salaries, but on qualificatioc, those in audit and tax see a more significant rise in salary. If you go to the Big4gossip site, I think that has the best comparison of salaries and shows ranges.

I've got to be honest I think salary is very much performance based. If you are an excellent manager in audit or consulting you are likely to see a good salary. Also, consultants I think have higher bonuses, which I don't know if that takes into account.

For an excellent qualification, opportunities to consult and fantastic career prospects, check out www.actuaries.org.uk