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Hello everyone,
Is there any possibility that someone who is even an ACCA affliate can’t find a job anywhere for so long, let’s say 1-2 years so he would not gonna be a member anytime soon ? Anyone here got this situation before ? Let’s say you finish every exams with very high marks (all over 70)
I want to know because I graduated with a diploma in computer engineering but after graduation I decided to follow a career in music. But things didn’t work so well and in 2014 I decided to have a career switch into accounting and followed ACCA. I passed F1 to F7 with very high marks (all over 75) and am now taking F8 and F9 and going to be an affiliate in Mar 2017. I have been trying to send applications to Big 4 firms where I am living but all rejected me.
What’s the reason why I always got rejected ? Do you think it is because I’m too old now (27 this year) and my case is not that “regular” or “standard” for them and all the big 4 firms prefer “fresh” graduate just out of university ? Do you think when I finish all the exams and be an ACCA affiliate, I still get rejected ? I still do not qualify the CV round last month ! Or all the employers actually don’t care about ACCA at all ? ACCA does not have that “value” as marketed ?
What do you think ? Please shed some light.
If you are applying in entry or trainee or graduate position then age can be hurdle. Also it might be that you dont have a degree? Most employers require ACCA graduate so degree is vital.
If you are applying in experienced position then of course you might not have enough experience. By age of 27 most people have 2-3 years of solid experience
Lastly ACCA might not be appreciated much in your region, if above arent the cases.
Its better you apply other then big four like local firms etc.. because if you dont have experience it can become pretty hard even after getting affliated
Regards
I guess we come from the same country, my bro 🙂
I used to apply for many international firm when I passed F level, rejected by some, passed some ( screening round) and now I am working in different field( not external audit, but still related to accounting and finance)
ACCA now is quite common in our country, so that many candidates apply for Big4 are are studying ACCA, some are even affiliates at the age of 21 or 22. Many candidates of Big4 even got a Master degree .The audit market in our country now is highly competitive, so that it is not easy to gain advantage to others even if you got ACCA. And ACCA is only 1 factor that can add value to you( let s say : 20%) there are many other factors like : age, exp, extra-curriculum activities…. You might be rejected as you do not fit other requirements. Additionally, 1 or 2 gap years might be a disaster for your CV. Other factors like you used to work as musician also ( maybe) adversely affect ur CV
1 things I want to add is that the career path for an auditor in our country is not as bright as it seems to be. Therefore, instead of applying for only audit, you can apply to other company in other fields. You should not narrow your possibilities to only 4 firms( I used to be very narrow-minded too).
I think that knowledge in ACCA is quite well-round, especially in P papers. Never think that ACCA is a certificate to show off( just my feeling). Just think that it is an opportunity for you to study advanced, up-to-date knowledge in accounting and finance.Try to remember knowledge and master it and I think that it will be useful for you in the future. Alongside ACCA, you should improve English and communication skills as well as Excel skills. Believe me, it is more practical than any certificate and diploma in the world! Try to think positively and become “AQ” , since sometimes, even a real PHD can only earn a miserable salary 🙂
P/s: If you still want to work as external auditor, u can apply to other firm like IGL,Grant Thornton, BDO…
Yes we are !
Yes, some gap years in between indeed adversely affects my career. I didn’t think it was that serious 4-5 years ago. At that time I just thought to myself : “Ok, let’s have a try in music, if it doesn’t work, I can switch to another thing easily, I still have a lot of time”. But it’s not like that now. Maybe all the HR officers at all Big 4 firms just look at my CV and say “Musician ? Musician can’t be an auditor anytime. Ok, to the garbage”. Why do they know I am not fit when they do not even allow me to take the test or give me a chance to explain my situation ??
Yes, audit is not that bright but I think it is a good first step for me. After 4-5 years I can switch to areas that I like most such as transaction advisory, due diligence or management consulting.
If not audit, then could you recommend me a wise a career path in accounting/finance in our country for one at entry-level like me ?
I already interned for 3 month at BDO but still narrow my target to Big 4 because I think it’s better for my CV and more development opportunities there
HR do not have a lot of time to read and think carefully whether you can fit or not, less than 5 minutes for 1 CV ( even 1-2 minutes) and I still doubt that they auto-filter the time you filled in your information online ( for example , GPA <=7.5 will be automatically eliminated in the system.
As you already had interned for 3 months at BDO, why dont you give it other try? I believe that working in some firm like BDO and IGL is quite good, staff turnover rate here are much lower than Big4
Yes, the environment in BDO is quite relaxed, low staff turnover but it is probably run like a local firm, not as “professional”, range of services available is narrow, only audit and tax, clientele comprises of mostly SMEs with modest fees, training and development opportunities are not so much. So it is still my second option.
Btw, how do you think about banking ? I have an invitation for an interview for the position Assistant in Corporate Banking Department of The Bank of Tokyo MUFJ. Is it more promising than audit ?
I am younger than you for 2-3 years and I dont have much exp ( just work for only 1 year in a bank) so I am afraid that I am not in a position to give useful advice
However as I work with some former Big4-er I have to say that they are not very successful now compared to their potential ( must be really elite to work for Big4 , they both come from top university with high GPA)
In my opinion, in that harsh time, working in an environment that is quite related to your study is promising. Banking and finance is not a bad choice, especially when you work for an international bank ( hopefully not as a sales ). Some years later, you might feel lucky not to work in Big4
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I just received the invitation for online test of PwC though !
Hi!
Why not to consider working as financial specialist in some media business – music, cinema, show business?;)
Every business requires back office. Why are you so concentrated on auditors’ roles?I am in the same boat as you OP. Started acca after working 2-3 years , did work and study side by side. And was officially an acca affiliate at the age of 28. But guess what ? No job is forthcoming in a appropriate position.
I have been in the work force for 8 years and have slogged to complete my certification with no assistance from employer. Who by the way kicked me out post covid saying depr restructuring .Was it worth wasting all these years instead of doing a masters . God knows.
Try with different approach, mate. I’m 30 now, ACCA student with 2 P-modules left, we’re at the same country as I understand the situation. Service is not the only way to use ACCA knowledge, try other industries. Hell, I didn’t even work at Big 4 but I did have my time with audit service so I know one thing or two. Big 4 can grant you an entitlement but it will not ensure you will have a silver plate at the end. Don’t keep doing same thing over and over again, and expect different outcome. Step aside, think different. That’s how I can work as budget management specialist for a FDI construction corp nowadays. Good luck.
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