Offer from EY But....

Which regional office is this? I've accepted an offer for KPMG Southampton and the salary is considerably more than that.

Thanks for the help, I don't have much going on in terms of offers from firms, so I think I will accept it as it will still 'get my foot in the door' so to speak, and allow me to get the ACA qualification which will hopefully open doors later.

So I've been offered a graduate position in EY; within assurance, at a regional office and commencing in September 2015. First of all, let me say I am thrilled. It's a great opportunity to work for a great firm.

I received an email outlining the basic terms of my contract, and it says my notional salary begins at 13,500 per anum. Don't get me wrong, I realise EY is investing in my future by putting me through my ACA qualification, and that as a first year trainee I won't merit any kind of salary until I get qualified, but isn't 13.5 k a wee bit on the low side?

I figured it would be at least 15k, considering the working hours and studying around the job. Aside from the fact that everything I had read online and heard from others was that salary starting was anywhere between 17-21 k.

What do you guys think? I'm minded to accept the offer, even on a lower starting salary there is a great opportunity for advancement, though I'm not sure by how much my salary will increase year on year.

Any advice/insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Wow that is low, I thought it would be double that.

Well it says that is the 'guideline amount', and my salary will be finalised closer to joining them but I can't see it going up too much from that.

I do live with my parents and the cost of living in Belfast is a lot lower than say London, but I was surprised at how low the figure was. But I have no intention of moving out for a few years anyway, and the job in question involves being on the road Monday-Thursday probably with a lot of hotel stops so food would be the only expense really and whatever I need to live on at weekends.

Is it the done thing to negotiate with these firms? Or would that not go down well at all?

There are still a few areas that I need clarification on, to be a contract the information was quite vague. If they tell me that my salary will increase after each year of passing exams that would be a sweetener that would make things easier.

Can you survive on that?

I think I could yes, it won't be easy but I am generally quite prudent when it comes to money. The job is working on the mainland travelling to clients Monday-Thursday, with most if not all expenses paid for by the firm. So I'll only really have to finance myself Friday-Sunday. Live with Parents so no rent there.

One thing I do need to know before I make a decision is the prospects of how much this salary will rise. I'd like to think it would increase year on year as I progress through my training contract.

I don't know if it's the same everywhere, but generally Big Four have a salary scale for you to go up as long as you pass the tests along the way and stay. But it's not actually a guaranteed and earlier when the market was bad, they laid off entire departments or levels of employees and make some come to work on like 30% of their salary. Don't know if that happened in Northern Ireland.

Also, you'll just have more and more work when you progress, so if you don't enjoy it, your life will be horrible.

I've done quite a bit of research, I know the challenges it will bring. I'm a Law graduate so it will be a bit of a change for me. I'd like to think even if I hated it I would stick out the three years to get my qualification. At that point if I am not happy with my salary I can choose to leave and enter the marketplace with a credible and practical qualification.

Well it says that is the 'guideline amount', and my salary will be finalised closer to joining them but I can't see it going up too much from that.

I do live with my parents and the cost of living in Belfast is a lot lower than say London, but I was surprised at how low the figure was. But I have no intention of moving out for a few years anyway, and the job in question involves being on the road Monday-Thursday probably with a lot of hotel stops so food would be the only expense really and whatever I need to live on at weekends.

Is it the done thing to negotiate with these firms? Or would that not go down well at all?

There are still a few areas that I need clarification on, to be a contract the information was quite vague. If they tell me that my salary will increase after each year of passing exams that would be a sweetener that would make things easier.

This is what most people think. But if you dislike accountancy, what kind of job will you be looking for with you 'credible and practical qualification'?

I don't think the fact that you didn't read accountancy will count against you though. Most of the time you will be doing quite elementary stuff, and the company provides you training anyway.

Assuming OP sticks it out and passes all ACA exams, they can expect 40-45k after 3 years. Many different types of exit ops possible.

The point is if you hate doing the job, do you want another job in another company which does the same thing or similar thing?

Ah my bad, read your reply wrong. I think if you hate the job but it pays well most people would still do it. Plus I suppose its better to have a graduate job rather than no job.