Starting salary for trainee accountant

Francesco10

I'm starting a job in October with a small firm in Dublin, I was wondering what the average starting salary is with small firms in Dublin? Is 19k about the norm?

I was also looking for some advice on what generally happens when you qualify, touch wood I pass all my exams in the next three years, what sort of opportunities will I have. Will small firms usually retain their staff and what sort of salary should a qualified accountant be expecting? Does training in a small firm limit my career prospects as opposed to being trained in a big 4?

Also any general advice on what I should be doing when I start off and any tips on how should I prepare myself for work. My biggest worry if the new employers expecting me to know how to do something straight away? Will they generally treat you as if you are new to accounting and guide you through it or will they expect you to be able to balance standard accounts straight away with out any assistance? I have been a couple of years out of university and was working in a petrol station during that time so my accounting skills would be a bit rusty, I have got a couple of books of my friends and plan to do some questions just to get back into the swing of things.

Sorry if this has been covered before but any advice would be appreciated.

Francesco

cson

€21,500 for Big 4 starters [€21,700 PwC afaik] so €19,000 for a small practice seems about right.

Penelopee

Small practice in the west, with degree and masters with CAP2 exemptions.. started at €16k in Feb 2011, got a pay rise to €17.5k couple of months ago.