Audit Grad Schemes not with the Big 4

I'm a third year ACA trainee working in audit for a mid sized firm (I qualify in November), and I think the experience I got is a lot more varied compared to people who have worked in the Big4, simply because you work on smaller clients with smaller budgets and so by the time you qualify you'll know an audit file inside out in each of its components, whilst we've got trainees who have transferred from Big4 and they've only done 1 or 2 sections.

The culture is still toxic af - they'll try and gaslight you into working as much unpaid overtime as possible, they only care about the quantity of your work rather than quality etc - but the good thing is because they're so short staffed and there isn't a queue of people waiting to take your place (unlike in the Big4) you can essentially tell them to **** off and do your contracted hours (as long as you don't actually care about getting a career in audit - which I don't see why any sane person would).

Hi, thank you for your response, it has been really hard trying to find any information about non-big 4 companies. I want a career in audit because I liked the job but many people talk about disliking the work culture. Can I ask what you will be doing after you finish the ACA or any general advice around a job in audit? Thank you!

I will be applying for roles in industry, most likely working as a management accountant for a SME.

If you do want a career in audit, I doubt you'll have any issues as long as you pass your exams and you stick around. Most audit departments are short staffed and have a very high staff turnover so it is definitely a field in which there is a great scope for career progression.