Ask me anything you like about a career in Chartered Accountancy

Hi, thanks for looking at these questions the following is for Audit.

How hard is it to go from Senior manager at a big 4 to a partner at a top 10 firm? What do partners earn on average from a top 10-20 firm? What are the pros/cons of going from a big 4 to a smaller partnership (top 5-20) compared to trying to make partner at a big 4 firm?

How hard do the top 10-20 firm partners work compared to the big 4 partner counterparts?

Just started at Big 4 Audit and think I would like to do a job heavily involved in business development and accounting eventually, hence asking questions with regard to the various options available in public practice, this is a nice motivation for me to get through these exams!

Once I qualify from my top 30 firm I (at the moment) want to move into industry. I know you're in a practice but you may know the answer to my question!

Would you recommend having a year or so in a big 4 to get the name on my CV before making the move? Or should I move into the finance dept of a small company and work up?

Slightly related, not sure if you already know this but the Big Four (at least mine) are actively looking to recruit newly qualified people from smaller firms since all our newly qualifieds just take off the first chance they get.

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Once I qualify from my top 30 firm I (at the moment) want to move into industry. I know you're in a practice but you may know the answer to my question!

Would you recommend having a year or so in a big 4 to get the name on my CV before making the move? Or should I move into the finance dept of a small company and work up?

I have another question about the recruitment process. When it comes to interviewing potential trainees, what kinds of questions do you enjoy answering?

Would it be too personal/inappropriate to ask a manager or partner how they got into accounting and what they like most about their job?

Thanks in advance for your response

Hey im from India applying for 2015 sept intake in msc finance programmes. I hear so many accounts of international students not finding a job in uk after graduation due to strict visa norms. Can anybody tell me if its so??

Yes, visa regulations seems to have tightened up.

For example, we no longer consider Tier 2 Visa applicants, since there are so many UK based candidates, and I believe we have to give them priority.

Yes, visa regulations seems to have tightened up.

For example, we no longer consider Tier 2 Visa applicants, since there are so many UK based candidates, and I believe we have to give them priority.

Thanks! Guess I'll have to reconsider everything

Unless... the applicant is on a T4 student visa and will graduate/have graduated from a UK institution with a Bachelor's/Masters degree. In which case, they are exempt from the 'resident labour market test'



Top employers in professional services will sponsor work visas. But make sure that you have a decent chance at receiving an offer.