ADD ADVICE TO FAVAccountancy employers
The Big Four dominate accountancy recruitment, but smaller firms have much to offer graduates, too. Deciding what type of firm you’d like to work for is an important first step for job-hunters.
Professional-services firms
Accountants at professional-services firms work with a range of clients, and possess in-depth knowledge about a variety of businesses.
Angus Farr, Head of Training and Development at Moore Stephens, explains: ’Our clients range from individual performers in entertainment to international shipping companies. Clients’ expectations vary from those who just want a simple set of accounts, to those who wouldn’t consider making a major commercial decision without consulting us first. We have the skills and knowledge to advise on a wide range of affairs.’
The Big Four (Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) are the four largest firms who handle the great majority of audits for publicly traded corporations.
The next ten or twelve biggest firms are known as ’Group A’. A high-end starting salary with one of these companies is around £25,000, although a recruit’s total package can comprise a complex package of benefits and bonuses.
Size and location govern pay; London pays more than the regions and large firms pay more than smaller ones. A good rule of thumb is that your salary can double in the first three years.
What accountancy firms look for
Christina Kerr, Recruitment Marketing Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, outlines what large firms look for in their graduate recruits: ’Generally, you will need at least BBC at A-level or equivalent, and a good degree.
’All firms emphasise some degree of flexibility, but they do have the pick of the crop and the rigours of the preparation for professional accountancy mean that a strong academic background is seen as essential. Beyond that it is important to show interest and commitment at interview stage. We need students to demonstrate good levels of commercial awareness and a strong commitment to their chosen career.
’We welcome students from any degree discipline, but they all need to have a general interest in commercial issues and have well-reasoned opinions on key business news. We also look for strong team players and students who can demonstrate high levels of energy and motivation towards their chosen personal goals. In any client-facing role, communication skills are also key.’
Smaller accountancy employers
In general, smaller companies pay less than larger ones, but the same preparation for qualification is involved. Some people prefer the opportunity to be a big fish in a small pond – a small firm might involve perhaps two partners and five professional staff, which can mean an early chance to take responsibility.
Graduates at smaller firms spend their time working on a variety of tasks, such as accountancy, audit and giving business advice to a wide variety of clients, rather than being stuck on one section of the same audit for months.
Non-finance companies
Large firms in a variety of sectors offer an alternative route for obtaining a professional accountancy qualification. There are opportunities in finance / accountancy departments in many non-finance companies; retailers, insurance firms and large industrial companies all offer training schemes.
The NHS Financial Management Training Scheme takes up to 40 months and results in a qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants or the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
