Post Grad Accounting

d.m.b1990

Does anyone know if a 2.2 law degree and 1.1 from PDA be enough for the Big 4. Plan on applying to do a pda in september and was wondering if anyone has any similar experience/advice??

Thanks!!

mountaingoats

Hey I'm currently doing a PDA. Good few law people in it.
I cant comment for sure on whether you will be likely to get an offer based on a 1.1 in the PDA + 2.2 in undergraduate (though I would think so, and know people who have!). Other factors (as you would expect) are taken into account (application, interview, work experience are v.important etc), so dont think it would be problem!
However main issue: Just thought I'd comment that generally people in PDAs next year will be doing Milk Rounds in next December so you won't even have your Semester 1 results in the PDA by then. So by the time you do have results you would be in next summer 2013/milk rounds 2013/2014 by time you have PDA results. Just in terms of not being able to show the 1.1 for job applications. (which I find is v.achievable, im currently on one).
Anyways hopefully helps a bit, good luck in it!

d.m.b1990

Thanks for that. Where are you doing the PDA? Thinking about doing it GMIT for convenience. Do you find it very tough or is it manageable?

mountaingoats

Im finding it v. manageable to be honest, bit of work in it but nothing too complicated or strenuous. But that's just my opinion. I'm in DIT. Just as a last word, before choosing GMIT I would make sure they definitely have the exemptions.
"It is envisaged that graduates from this programme will obtain a number of exemptions from the professional accounting bodies" - according to website.
Previously think only DIT, DCU and maybe somewhere up North (maybe) PDA had exemptions. and its all about the exemptions. that I think is all my advice.
There are past threads about PDA's if you want to check them out, I know because I looked at them.
Good luck!

bigmc23

mountaingoats wrote: »

Hey I'm currently doing a PDA. Good few law people in it.
I cant comment for sure on whether you will be likely to get an offer based on a 1.1 in the PDA + 2.2 in undergraduate (though I would think so, and know people who have!). Other factors (as you would expect) are taken into account (application, interview, work experience are v.important etc), so dont think it would be problem!
However main issue: Just thought I'd comment that generally people in PDAs next year will be doing Milk Rounds in next December so you won't even have your Semester 1 results in the PDA by then. So by the time you do have results you would be in next summer 2013/milk rounds 2013/2014 by time you have PDA results. Just in terms of not being able to show the 1.1 for job applications. (which I find is v.achievable, im currently on one).
Anyways hopefully helps a bit, good luck in it!

i've got a degree (2:1) and hope to secure a training contract with a firm. If was looking at the PDA as an option (if a firm would sponsor me for it) should i be applying now to start the PDA in sept 2012 and then when i hopefully get interviews with firms before the end of the year tell them that i'm currently doing the PDA and try and get a contract with the sponsored PDA and then start with the firm september 2013? or would i just apply to firms in september this year and then hopefully get a contract that sponsors me for the PDA and start the PDA september 2013? sorry for the long post!

mountaingoats

If I've read what your asking right, I think your options are:
1. You can apply to firms now (or September), there's usually a box to tick for the firm to sponsor you for the PDA which you would start in September 2012 (paid by firm), and then begin your training contract the following September (2013).
2. Apply for PDA (you'll get in with the 2.1), start it in September 2012 and apply with firms during the year (usually Milkrounds - September/October time). If you get a training contract they may pay back some of fee's, some of the Big 4/5 (maybe others) contribute ~€3000 on requirements of getting all exemptions in PDA. This is what I did. You will then start in firm in September 2013. You could also in applying ask for sponsorship in a masters, I know of at least one person in PDA doing a sponsored Masters after their PDA and before beginning in the firm!
3. Try to get a contract now with a firm, start whenever start date is and ignore the PDA altogether and just sit exams with their study leave.

As to which to do, up to you, all are reasonable choices I think. guess its kind of more a matter of choice? Have I helped, dunno if I have? anyways good luck!

bigmc23

mountaingoats wrote: »

If I've read what your asking right, I think your options are:
1. You can apply to firms now (or September), there's usually a box to tick for the firm to sponsor you for the PDA which you would start in September 2012 (paid by firm), and then begin your training contract the following September (2013).
2. Apply for PDA (you'll get in with the 2.1), start it in September 2012 and apply with firms during the year (usually Milkrounds - September/October time). If you get a training contract they may pay back some of fee's, some of the Big 4/5 (maybe others) contribute ~€3000 on requirements of getting all exemptions in PDA. This is what I did. You will then start in firm in September 2013. You could also in applying ask for sponsorship in a masters, I know of at least one person in PDA doing a sponsored Masters after their PDA and before beginning in the firm!
3. Try to get a contract now with a firm, start whenever start date is and ignore the PDA altogether and just sit exams with their study leave.

As to which to do, up to you, all are reasonable choices I think. guess its kind of more a matter of choice? Have I helped, dunno if I have? anyways good luck!

You have helped so thanks. Since I've got a non-business degree and have the gut feeling that i'll need a bit of time to get the swing of things of accountancy so to speak i'd probably do the PDA then decide if a masters is something that i'd want to do. I've heard from a few people on this forum that gaining the ACA with CAI is extremely difficult would this be true? Would it be fair to say that the masters route would be the easiest way to do it you know what i mean?

d.m.b1990

mountaingoats wrote: »

Im finding it v. manageable to be honest, bit of work in it but nothing too complicated or strenuous. But that's just my opinion. I'm in DIT. Just as a last word, before choosing GMIT I would make sure they definitely have the exemptions.
"It is envisaged that graduates from this programme will obtain a number of exemptions from the professional accounting bodies" - according to website.
Previously think only DIT, DCU and maybe somewhere up North (maybe) PDA had exemptions. and its all about the exemptions. that I think is all my advice.
There are past threads about PDA's if you want to check them out, I know because I looked at them.
Good luck!

Thanks for that E-mailed the course director a few days ago. Full cap 1 exemptions and all bar 2 for ACCA but plan on going ACA anyways!!

statss

what are people's thoughts on the following:

turning down offers from small firms for trainee contracts starting this september, instead, doing the PDA this September with the hope this would pave the way for big 4 in Sept 2013?

d.m.b1990

statss wrote: »

what are people's thoughts on the following:

turning down offers from small firms for trainee contracts starting this september, instead, doing the PDA this September with the hope this would pave the way for big 4 in Sept 2013?

From what I've been told it's possible!! How much your undergrad and the PDA complement each other seems to be a big factor too! Where do you plan on doing it??

statss

d.m.b1990 wrote: »

From what I've been told it's possible!! How much your undergrad and the PDA complement each other seems to be a big factor too! Where do you plan on doing it??

I got offered a place in the DIT one yesterday, but I also have some potential small - medium firm offers on the cards too....hmmmmm.....

Posy

statss wrote: »

I got offered a place in the DIT one yesterday, but I also have some potential small - medium firm offers on the cards

Are the fees for the DIT one €5,700? I'd like to do something like this, but no way I'd be able to afford it.

Posy

Actually, to answer my own question, the fees for the p.dip in DIT are nearly 6 grand so don't think I'd be doing this unless getting some financial assistance from a company! :eek:

statss

yes i thought it was only 3k but i forgot about the new 2k registration charge....

I'd be more inclined to take a small/medium firm offer.