Leaving cert honours maths for finance job?

derealmoister

Hey,
I want to pursue a career in finance. If I was to do ordinary level math for the leaving and get an A1, would that be as sufficent as a C in honours? I mean, if I was to do a masters in finance etc. would an employer really care if I done only ordinary level maths for leaving? How important is maths result in leaving on a CV?
Thanks:)

nompere

Employers look for lots of things - but far and away the most important is the ability to communicate in grammatical English.

If you write an application, or fill in a CV, using the sort of English you used in your post here the application is likely to go straight into the nearest bin.

Working in finance means communicating in writing with clients - and employers will be very intolerant of failings in that communication. It makes the business look unprofessional.

Computers can do virtually any of the sums required.

snickerpuss

Plenty of people don't feel the need to write on boards as they would in either CVs or job applications.

Totally different scenarios, don't be so condescending.

OP, I would say it depends what course you want to do. Why don't you check the entrance requirements for some of the finance-related courses you're interested in?

tenchi-fan

I got an A1 in pass maths. Best decision I ever made because I sailed through it. 60 easy points, not bad compared to some low Cs and Ds that classmates who did honours maths got for all their efforts.

Most people who go into accounting these days have a degree. A good degree (2.1 or higher) will get you a job a lot quicker than a higher level C in your leaving.

Jim2007

derealmoister wrote: »

Hey,
I want to pursue a career in finance. If I was to do ordinary level math for the leaving and get an A1, would that be as sufficent as a C in honours? I mean, if I was to do a masters in finance etc. would an employer really care if I done only ordinary level maths for leaving? How important is maths result in leaving on a CV?
Thanks:)

Finance is a very big area with many career options, some requiring strong maths skills, others communication skills, legal skill, IT skills and what not....

These days most people entering the financial world do so with a good degree under their belt, so the most important thing to do right now is to make sure you get a good enough leaving cert to gain a place university and then do well there.

I would suggest you discuss the matter with your maths teacher, as they are in a better situation to advise you on this than us.

Good luck,

Jim.

tenchi-fan

Jim2007 wrote: »

I would suggest you discuss the matter with your maths teacher, as they are in a better situation to advise you on this than us.

A maths teacher for advice on career guidance?

LightningBolt

If you're looking to do finance I strongly recommend sitting higher level math as it will allow you access to a greater range of college courses. I'd also recommend applying for finance courses in college that have a good deal of math modules in them.

I know if I was sitting the leaving cert again I'd be looking to make sure to increase my options rather than limit them by sitting ordinary maths, that's not to say you can't do well with pass maths either.

Jim2007

tenchi-fan wrote: »

A maths teacher for advice on career guidance?

No, on weather to take higher level maths or not. I expect the OP's teacher would be in a better position than us to comment on this, since they at least see the OPs work....

Jim.

Glenster

It's really hard to say.

I know that a lot (all) of the accounting firms and major financal institutions ask for leaving cert results on their application forms. HR in these companies are doing everything they can to cut down on the applicants they take in for interview. Though I'm sure (i hope!) that it's not the most important thing.

Also there seems to be a difference in how the older generation (40-45+) talks about leaving results, I was recently talking about an applicant with my boss and he said that she had '6 honours'. no more information. So I'm not sure that an A1 in ordinary is the same as a C in honours.

I think the most important thing for you to focus on now is the requirements of the college course you want to do, fulfill those before you start worrying about a CV in 4 years time.

colbags

op...i wudnt worry too much about it..once u get to job/interview stage employers will be looking at college results and possibly ur overall LC points bt they wont b taking a microscope to ur individual LC results...

i think it really depends on what course u wanna do in uni...(i presume ur going if u want a finance job)

i did pass for d leaving and got an a...im currently doing a finance masters in DCU and i dont find myself anyway disadvantaged thru not having done higher...we had an intensive week of maths before the course and i passed the resulting test with ease (many failed)

if u wanna do econ and finance undergrad in ucd or actuary or quantitative finance(dcu) then they will require honours (but u shud b gud at maths if ur goin for these courses)

i did business (dcu)...specialised in finance and got into that way....personally i think if u know u want to go into finance then dont do a general commerce/business course...try and push urself for Higher and do one of the courses above ...also im nt sure thst A+F (DCU) requires Higher and that is a very decent course

ps. nompere get a grip will ye...its not a formal environment...the young lad shud write as he pleases

colbags

op...i wudnt worry too much about it..once u get to job/interview stage employers will be looking at college results and possibly ur overall LC points bt they wont b taking a microscope to ur individual LC results...

i think it really depends on what course u wanna do in uni...(i presume ur going if u want a finance job)

i did pass for d leaving and got an a...im currently doing a finance masters in DCU and i dont find myself anyway disadvantaged thru not having done higher...we had an intensive week of maths before the course and i passed the resulting test with ease (many failed)

if u wanna do econ and finance undergrad in ucd or actuary or quantitative finance(dcu) then they will require honours (but u shud b gud at maths if ur goin for these courses)

i did business (dcu)...specialised in finance and got into that way....personally i think if u know u want to go into finance then dont do a general commerce/business course...try and push urself for Higher and do one of the courses above ...also im nt sure thst A+F (DCU) requires Higher and that is a very decent course

ps. nompere get a grip will ye...its not a formal environment...the young lad shud write as he pleases

LAVADUDE

Take ordinary maths if you know you'll get a A1 and you do not need the bonus points that are on offer.

I know the big 4 and all the medium sized firms accountancy firms that have a math standard accept a A1 at ordinary level.

I did 6 accountancy interviews and the question on why I didn't do honours never came up.

Also when you apply for a masters, it's your undergraduate degree they'll look at first, then to see if you have related work experience and your personal statement. They wouldn't waste their time with leaving cert results.

Certain courses will require honour maths but when it comes to interviews, they are more concerned on what college you went to (they're more likely to interview you if you went to a university, trust me on that), what you studied and what your university exam results are.

EDIT: I got an A1 in ordinary Leaving cert maths and all big four accountancy firms interviewed me.

tenchi-fan

LAVADUDE wrote: »

Take ordinary maths if you know you'll get a A1 and you do not need the bonus points that are on offer.

I know the big 4 and all the medium sized firms accountancy firms that have a math standard accept a A1 at ordinary level.

I don't think anyone is guaranteed an A1 at OL! If you slip up and get an A2 it's only worth 50 points. Having said that.. I doubt it would do you out of a good job.

yesman2000

Currently an accounting undergrad. Hoping to enter one of the big4, like most others, and interested in business finance in the long-run. I achieved 545 points in the leaving cert, however, due to a very poor decision and other reasons only got a C1 in Ordinary Maths. Any implications in the long or short-run? If so, would an A in Higher Accountancy counteract these implications.

Thanks in advance.

LAVADUDE

yesman2000 wrote: »

Currently an accounting undergrad. Hoping to enter one of the big4, like most others, and interested in business finance in the long-run. I achieved 545 points in the leaving cert, however, due to a very poor decision and other reasons only got a C1 in Ordinary Maths. Any implications in the long or short-run? If so, would an A in Higher Accountancy counteract these implications.

Thanks in advance.

No, E&Y are the only one of the big 4 to look for a minimum math standard
I know only 2 medium sized accountign firms who do

E&Y give you a chance on their application form to explain why they should consider your application if you do not meet the minimum standard. E&Y are not the best for corporate finance/advisory anyway (in my opinion)

For any medium sized firm send them an e-mail before hand asking them if they'll consdier your application, highlighting your accouting result or good degree results.

If they do not respond (which small/medium firms have a bad habit of doing) apply anyway and outline why they should consider your applciation (your careers office can help with this and only highlight it if they make it clear you need that standard)

If you look to go into a bank you NEED a) A postgrad and/or Experience in a similar role, also you would more than likely need to go abroad. So your Leaving Cert results wouldn't count for much