Leaving a Big 4 Firm

Nessa859

I started a training contract with a big 4 firm last week and I realised in a matter of days that there was no way I was going to enjoy it, and that I'm better off going elsewhere and doing a masters next year (I'm a science graduate).

Everyone there is lovely, and they seem to treat their staff really well, but I feel completely stuck, and I'm terrified that three years down the line, I'll either have to many other commitments to leave or I'll lose out on a place in a masters programme to a more recent graduate who didn't go off and train as an accountant for years. On top of that, I'm utterly miserable and stressed out over the workload (this isn't me being lazy; I just amn't 'business minded', and that makes it incredibly to difficult).

Am I likely to get hassled over leaving so soon, or are they likely to turn around and demand CAP1 fees off me already? I just know that I'd be happier and better suited to going back into science.

Jim2007

I would say it is far to early to come to that conclusion. It is not the first time I've heard that from people starting a job in a new area. I would suggest given it at least a few weeks before you make your decision.

TiGeR KiNgS

Nessa859 wrote: »

I started a training contract with a big 4 firm last week and I realised in a matter of days that there was no way I was going to enjoy it, and that I'm better off going elsewhere and doing a masters next year (I'm a science graduate).

Everyone there is lovely, and they seem to treat their staff really well, but I feel completely stuck, and I'm terrified that three years down the line, I'll either have to many other commitments to leave or I'll lose out on a place in a masters programme to a more recent graduate who didn't go off and train as an accountant for years. On top of that, I'm utterly miserable and stressed out over the workload (this isn't me being lazy; I just amn't 'business minded', and that makes it incredibly to difficult).

Am I likely to get hassled over leaving so soon, or are they likely to turn around and demand CAP1 fees off me already? I just know that I'd be happier and better suited to going back into science.

Ah here.

iluvfatfrogs

If you're not business minded, and have a science degree, how did you end up in the Accountancy World?

silent_spark

Give it more time. A few days is not enough to gauge whether you'll be happy there or not. I find it takes at least three to six months to settle. Apply for your masters - if you get a place for next year, and decide it's definitely for you, leave then. Realistically, what else will you do over the coming year that will be of value to your career? Is there a science role you've been offered? Or are likely to be offered?

Nessa859

iluvfatfrogs wrote: »

If you're not business minded, and have a science degree, how did you end up in the Accountancy World?

I thought it would be a good way to save. My ultimate goal is to go into graduate medicine, but I need savings to live on. Also I was getting desperate and getting a lot of pressure from my parents to take the job

Jim2007

Nessa859 wrote: »

I thought it would be a good way to save. My ultimate goal is to go into graduate medicine, but I need savings to live on. Also I was getting desperate and getting a lot of pressure from my parents to take the job

Honestly it does not make a lot of sense then.... I would say you should start looking for something in the science area either in Ireland or Europe as a step in the right direction.

I've done a lot of work for chemical and pharmaceutical companies in Basel over the years and they seem to be always looking for graduates. The attraction is that as an EU citizen you can live over the border in France, so cheap cost of living and a high Swiss salary. Good opportunities for savings.

crimon222

I have seen many new hires such as yourself leave the firm within a short period of time after starting. Leaving the firm is never an easy decision and there are many factors that you will need to consider before you do so. Should you leave the firm, you will likely be burning a bridge that will be difficult to rebuild so I hope you are certain that you no longer want to pursue accounting. Your employer will likely be supportive of your decision if you explain to them your situation in an honest manner. They will likely clawback any applicable fees or benefits paid out on a pro-rata basis, but that's a small price to pay if you are unhappy with your career choice.

If you still have some interest in business or accounting, I would suggest sticking it out for a little while longer. However, if you have career ambitions that is unrelated and an accounting designation will not help you get there, I would agree that it makes little sense for you to continue pursuing this career path.

Good luck!

Jim2007

crimon222 wrote: »

Should you leave the firm, you will likely be burning a bridge that will be difficult to rebuild so I hope you are certain that you no longer want to pursue accounting.

From the OPs most recent post it appears that the interest in accounting was to save money for a career in medicine.....

My first council was to advise sticking it out for a while too. But given that there was never an intention to make a career out of accounting...

haro124

There is a certain date by which Chartered Accountants will refund all fees (minus a small admin fee), think its sometime in November.