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Better Accountancy experience in a small or large company?

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  • 30-11-2012 4:34pm
    #1
    mogrady14
    Registered Users Posts: 101 ✭✭


    I was wondering would I get better Accountancy experience in a the Accountancy office of a small company or a large company? I have CAP1 passed in ACA Chartered Accountancy Ireland. Would I end up being pidgeon holed doing one small item in a large company or get broader experience in a small company?


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    #2
    Johnny_Fontane
    Registered Users Posts: 3,093 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    mogrady14 wrote: »
    I was wondering would I get better Accountancy experience in a the Accountancy office of a small company or a large company? I have CAP1 passed in ACA Chartered Accountancy Ireland. Would I end up being pidgeon holed doing one small item in a large company or get broader experience in a small company?

    Generally as a part qual, you will get a more rounded experience in a smaller company, experience that you can take and apply directly once you qualify. For example, if you train in a company with a turnover of say €10m, they might have say 5 people in Finance. In your time there, you should start off as a trainee, doing basic accounting duties to preparing the trial balance or even preparing monthly management accounts.

    In a larger company, say a US Multinational, you might work in one area (Say GL or revenue) and gain experience just in that department. So, yes, you might be a little pigeon holed. But on the flipside, when you come to look for a job, you have a specialised skill.

    Ideally, when training to be an accountant in Industry, by the time you qualify you want to be in a situation where you are able to prepare a full set of monthly management accounts.

    There are various factors you need to ask yourself, even at this early stage:
    1. What kind of role do you see yourself doing in ten years (Terrible Q, I know). Do you see yourself as working in a smaller company or a larger company? Do you see yourself as someone working your way up over a long period of time in a CRH or a DCC?
    2. What location do you see yourself working in? If you are planning to say move to Donegal or Cavan or Offaly (i.e. somewhere more rural), you might be better served getting hands on accounting experience (to month end etc.) and working with smaller companies. Revenue Recognition experience is no good to you if there isn't a US software company within 50 miles

    Either way, it really is all about your next opportunity. If, you really are not getting any decent experience in your current role, take a look at the market. But be warned, its very tough out there. You probably have 1-2 years experience, so to get another company to take you on (where an ACA is in Finance) is not straight forward.

    If you want a chat, PM me for more.

    JF


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