[CM9]

Hello all,

I've recently received a job offer from a medium sized firm in London, and wondered whether anyone with actual experience of training for the ACA could tell me if commuting to London is a realistic option?

The commute I am considering is over two hours each way, so I would like to know how often I can expect to be working past official office hours (just thinking in terms of last train home). And will commuting become an issue when visiting clients (i.e. if they are further away than the office)?

At the moment I am only considering doing this in the short term, until I can find somewhere to live. So, do you think I will be able to manage this for the first month?

Thanks for your help.

[M1011]

It'll be an incredible extra strain on your time, why not just move now?

[monk_keys]

The start of your training contract wont be during the busy period so you'll have a few months at least to find somewhere during which you probably wont be doing overtime.

[Gunned]

The only busy and possibly stressful part, will be the first six knowledge papers that you will likely sit within the first few months. Unless you're one of those lucky people with exemptions.

[Samtheman1]

Should be ok for first month - I did similar when I started. Not really viable when the exams kick in.

[Tokyoround]

You'll be spending a minimum of 4 hours a day commuting, assuming no delays. I personally couldn't do that for more than a week. An hour - hour and a half each way is most people's limit.

[S]

I think you may be able to do this for the first couple of months, it really depends on how regular your office hours are and how often you'll be visiting clients - are you in audit?

Once exams kick in, I think a good strategy to use would be to study in the office before catching the train home. Travelling on the train for 3+ hours everyday will be quite tiring and you won't feel like revising once you get home. I would also suggest using your lunch hours to secure house/flat viewings.

[CM9]

Thanks for your help.

Yes, I am in audit. Just got the details about my first month through, and it's all courses. Should be OK to commute.

[86501]

I end up doing a 2 hour commute (at least) most days because I'm an hour from London and most of my clients are out the other side of London (travel in from Kent and clients in Surrey/Berkshire). I found it really useful when I had college, it was good revision time when I was sat on the train.

The early mornings are tough, especially at first, but you do get used to them. I'm not sure I would recommend it per se, but if you've got no option then it can be done.

[kevinfosterft]

It is much more better if you can just move in somewhere close. I think, you will be really stretching yourself with this.

[hiding12]

(Original post by CM9)
Hello all,

I've recently received a job offer from a medium sized firm in London, and wondered whether anyone with actual experience of training for the ACA could tell me if commuting to London is a realistic option?

The commute I am considering is over two hours each way, so I would like to know how often I can expect to be working past official office hours (just thinking in terms of last train home). And will commuting become an issue when visiting clients (i.e. if they are further away than the office)?

At the moment I am only considering doing this in the short term, until I can find somewhere to live. So, do you think I will be able to manage this for the first month?

Thanks for your help.

Why not move to London? Where do you live now? That would not be much fun at all

[Narcissist]

I'd really not want to do that. Surely you could at least find a short term Mon-Fri let somewhere at least for the first month while you look for a more long term place?

[Brotherhood]

You'll be killing yourself by the end. The only reason I can hack the long commutes to clients is because when I'm in college the commute is short. You won't have that luxury.