Moving from Industry to Top 10 Firm

JohnDoe87

Hi All,

Well with the Milkrounds just around the corner I got to thinking about my future. I'm currently working in the manufacturing Industry and I recently finished my FAEs. I am fairly certain I'll have passed them barring a disaster.

I've gotten to the point where I'm seriously mulling over my future options. The company I work for has been great to me but I think I may have limited my options significantly by training in industry. I'd like to try my hand at working in a medium-big practice but understand that it'd be a huge change for me and therefore a big risk for any potential employers.

I guess my question is, would I be employable to a firm in the top 10-15? I'd love to have that sort of diverse experience from a top class firm on my CV. I think it'd open doors all over the world for me that my current experience couldn't. I'd genuinely consider starting from scratch with a firm if it meant I could get a foot in the door (even if that meant a pay cut).

I think I'd be an asset to any of them but I don't think they'd even look at me given that I don't meet their "milk round" criteria i.e. I'm not a recent graduate and I probably wouldn't need a training contract.

ACADasltiv

I know several practices with partners who trained in or worked in industry for many years. ACA is the preferred practice qualification so that will certainly help your case over having done the likes of CIMA.

I don't think you should have any issue getting into practice and I agree that it would be good experience to get. It's easy to get pigeonholed into one industry, so practice really gives a broader view of many different industries and will stand to you. If you weren't able to get your preferred top 10, keep working your way down as you should have no problem getting a position in a smaller practice which will enable you to move into a top 10 after.

Cyrus

JohnDoe87 wrote: »

Hi All,

Well with the Milkrounds just around the corner I got to thinking about my future. I'm currently working in the manufacturing Industry and I recently finished my FAEs. I am fairly certain I'll have passed them barring a disaster.

I've gotten to the point where I'm seriously mulling over my future options. The company I work for has been great to me but I think I may have limited my options significantly by training in industry. I'd like to try my hand at working in a medium-big practice but understand that it'd be a huge change for me and therefore a big risk for any potential employers.

I guess my question is, would I be employable to a firm in the top 10-15? I'd love to have that sort of diverse experience from a top class firm on my CV. I think it'd open doors all over the world for me that my current experience couldn't. I'd genuinely consider starting from scratch with a firm if it meant I could get a foot in the door (even if that meant a pay cut).

I think I'd be an asset to any of them but I don't think they'd even look at me given that I don't meet their "milk round" criteria i.e. I'm not a recent graduate and I probably wouldn't need a training contract.

most graduates leave the big 4 after they qualify so they are looking for experienced hires.

try big 4 rather than top 10, its not really worth your while going in the smaller firms.

you will hate it im sure for the first while, itll be a culture shock and auditing is grim stuff, but its good for your cv

i dont think you will have to start from scratch or take a pay cut to be honest

Humour Me

I would be looking at the experienced hires sections of the firms websites, not milkround if I were you. Just make sure you have your experience signed off on your CA Diary before you move on from your current employer.

As someone in a top 10 firm, people with industry experience are very welcome as they have the practical day to day experience that can be applied to audits/ reviews.