Is a big 4 audit & assurance apprenticeship a bad idea?

I was thinking of going into audit at a big 4 firm through a school leavers apprenticeship, but now I am full of doubt. I have heard so many bad things but good things as well. I want to work hard and progress in my career, but i don't want to dedicate all my hours to a job.

Is it a career that could get me 6 figures?
Are there good opportunities after getting the ACA?
Is there still the opportunity to have good 20's while working there?

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Reply 1

ajj2000

20

Do you have an offer or are you thinking about applying?

Reply 2

student993249

OP

2

Original post by ajj2000

Do you have an offer or are you thinking about applying?

I am pretty far into the application process

Reply 3

ajj2000

20

Original post by student993249

I am pretty far into the application process

Ah, cool. What else have you been considering? University?

Is it a career that could get me 6 figures? Yes - but thats the higher end at present. Its certainly not a guaranteed or highly probable outcome - very possible though.

Are there good opportunities after getting the ACA? Yes

Is there still the opportunity to have good 20's while working there? Probably worth contacting some current trainees (both apprentices and grads) to see what they say about this. I would say that it can limit your social life when you sit exams and work at the same time. Well - if you start at 18 you'll have most of your 20s free anyway.

You tend to have a decent social life in the office as they organise events and there are lots of young people around. I think some on apprenticeships feel they lose some contact with school friends who go to university in different cities.

Reply 4

student993249

OP

2

Original post by ajj2000

Ah, cool. What else have you been considering? University?

Is it a career that could get me 6 figures? Yes - but thats the higher end at present. Its certainly not a guaranteed or highly probable outcome - very possible though.

Are there good opportunities after getting the ACA? Yes

Is there still the opportunity to have good 20's while working there? Probably worth contacting some current trainees (both apprentices and grads) to see what they say about this. I would say that it can limit your social life when you sit exams and work at the same time. Well - if you start at 18 you'll have most of your 20s free anyway.

You tend to have a decent social life in the office as they organise events and there are lots of young people around. I think some on apprenticeships feel they lose some contact with school friends who go to university in different

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it. I was considering university but didn't see the point when graduates had to do the aca as well.

Reply 5

ajj2000

20

Original post by student993249

Thank you for your reply, I appreciate it. I was considering university but didn't see the point when graduates had to do the aca as well.

Well - there are other reasons to go to university, but remember you could go after completing ACA if you felt you wanted to, and as you'll have been self supporting for 3+ years would be able to apply for the full maintenance loan.

Reply 6

Hwhita

1

I now have a similar dilemma, got a place at a big firm doing audit and assurance but also have an offer for a russel group uni for engineering. Any thoughts?

Reply 7

ajj2000

20

Original post by Hwhita

I now have a similar dilemma, got a place at a big firm doing audit and assurance but also have an offer for a russel group uni for engineering. Any thoughts?

Wow - You’ve done amazingly well!

What are your thoughts at present?

Is a big 4 audit & assurance apprenticeship a bad idea?

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