Accountancy subjects for Commerce degree

donmoister

If I'm doing a business & law degree, and want to boost my gpa by not picking accountancy subjects in 3rd and 4th year, will that come against me in interviews for Big 4 accountancy firms or big 10 firms? Would the transcript of subjects (and the lack of one or two accountancy subjects needed for exemptions for CAP1) be an issue at application or interview?

jonnybravo

I would imagine it would affect your chances a lot. If other people doing the same course get full exemptions and you don't then you'll be at a disadvantage against them. Also bear in mind that most offers are made after your year 3 results so one years results probably won't change your GPA much.

Immy

IMO you would be mad not to take a subject in college that will get you an exemption. It won't be much fun sitting a professional exam with a full time job, that you could have gained an exemption for while doing your degree.

donmoister

OK, thanks for the quality replies, but let's suppose I am doing/have done all exemption subjects for CAP1 and I am only missing one for ACCA (which I may not pursue). In that situation, would choosing non-accountancy modules over extra accountancy modules be viewed unfavourably and be a negative factor?

jonnybravo

I wouldn't think so. I don't remember them going into any detail about what subjects I picked. I think the main thing is to have a high enough grade to get into the interview plus your exemptions. Once your in the interviews it's about how you perform. What grades are you at the moment? Most Big 4 will only interview people on 2.1's and above (depending on college and course) plus some look at leaving cert scores too.

Finance Grad 2015

Take as many exemptions as you possibly can! You only need 50% for it to count as an exemption... If you think you can get this, then why not go for it? You can focus more on other modules to bring up your GPA if you want then. Also, in relation to Big 4.... I think they do CIMA or ACCA, I haven't heard of anyone being chartered through them. (Chartered is more of a guidance/aimed towards growing with a company). And lastly, if you get a 2.1 or above in 3rd year, get an offer for Big 4 and sign your contract - you have the position regardless of a 2.2/2.1/1.1 etc. They usually don't have it written in the contracts that it can be terminated if you don't achieve a 2.1....!

Sunny Dayz

I don't think selecting non-accountancy modules over actual accountancy modules can be viewed as unfavourable as such, only to the extent that you can say in an interview why you picked that module, eg it was something that you felt could add value to your learning eg if computer related module, hr related, communications related etc etc. If you picked an off the wall subject just to make up easy points it mightn't reflect too well on you.


Also, as someone who did commerce and went on to do ACA exams, get whatever relevant exams done in college that you can. Professional exams are a lot harder than college ones so no point in putting off subjects which you could get done in college and passed with what may be an easier exam. As others have said, it's not easy combining full time work with part-time lectures and studying - I had a child thrown into the mix also!

CIARAN_BOYLE

IF there is a subject that doesn't give exemptions to the institute that you are doing professional exams with then don't feel you have to do it.

Just for example in DIT accountancy and finance a few years aback audit didn't give ACA exemptions at all. 20 people did it while tax gave aca exemption and 60 people did it.

An Citeog

Finance Grad 2015 wrote: »

Take as many exemptions as you possibly can! You only need 50% for it to count as an exemption... If you think you can get this, then why not go for it? You can focus more on other modules to bring up your GPA if you want then. Also, in relation to Big 4.... I think they do CIMA or ACCA, I haven't heard of anyone being chartered through them. (Chartered is more of a guidance/aimed towards growing with a company). And lastly, if you get a 2.1 or above in 3rd year, get an offer for Big 4 and sign your contract - you have the position regardless of a 2.2/2.1/1.1 etc. They usually don't have it written in the contracts that it can be terminated if you don't achieve a 2.1....!

This advice is completely wrong btw. Big 4 are all ACA (chartered). The option for ACCA or CIMA as part of a training contract isnt there from my experience, except maybe the odd person in advisory.

Also, if the offer is contingent on getting a 2.1, it'll usually be written into the contract. That's not to say they'd drop you if you got a 2.2 because it's a bit of hassle for them to fill trainee positions outside the milk rounds, especially if you've already ticked all other boxes.

As for subjects, CAP 1 exemptions are the number one priority and unless you've got a passion for some other subject or there's something that you feel will really push your average grades up, then look ahead to CAP 2 if possible.

smcgiff

An Citeog wrote: »

This advice is completely wrong btw. Big 4 are all ACA (chartered). The option for ACCA or CIMA as part of a training contract isnt there from my experience, except maybe the odd person in advisory.

Also, if the offer is contingent on getting a 2.1, it'll usually be written into the contract. That's not to say they'd drop you if you got a 2.2 because it's a bit of hassle for them to fill trainee positions outside the milk rounds, especially if you've already ticked all other boxes.

As for subjects, CAP 1 exemptions are the number one priority and unless you've got a passion for some other subject or there's something that you feel will really push your average grades up, then look ahead to CAP 2 if possible.

You're 100% correct that trainee accountants with the Big 4 in Ireland are always CAI (chartered), but for non trainee positions they will consider ACCA (chartered), CIMA (chartered) and CPA (Certified).

Re the OP's question. The question would need to be asked in interview, if you're interested in accounting post degree why didn't you do it at degree level. Why would you put that doubt in their mind ?

tkd93

Personally i think your mad many graduate positions require full cap1 exemptions as a requirement.