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Next step in my career?

AtticusFinch86

Hey, I just need some advice re: my next career step.

I have a burning desire to work at one of the big 4 firms (or at the very least a top 10 firm) because I know that it looks fantastic on my CV and it will open up a huge array of opportunities after I complete my initial training contract. In terms of my long term career, I feel it's very important for me to work with a big(ish) firm and industry leading clients. The problem is I can't seem to get interviews with them. I have a first class honours, a number of academic awards but what goes against me (at least I think it could be a factor) is that I had a poor leaving cert and my degree is from an IT as opposed to a Uni. I'm also almost 28 which I think might work against me a little as it could lead to the assumption that I'm not as mold-able as a 22/23 year old grad.

At this point I'm seriously considering taking out a loan to help finance a masters in either NUIG or UCD. At this point in time I'm thinking that the 10k the loan will cost me will more than pay for itself over the course of my professional career. There's also the option of having my masters paid for me at my local IT (and getting full CAP 2 exemptions and 2 months work experience) but I thought it might be more beneficial to get it from a Uni.

I guess, the questions I'm asking are, am I being realistic? Is there a better way of approaching this? Should I give up on working at a top firm and focus on smaller ones? Am I wrong about my assumption that working at a smaller firm would limit future opportunities? I really love the idea of working at a big 4 firm and accruing all the benefits that that entails (training, monetary, social, working with household names, etc.) but if I thought I was being unrealistic, taking a huge risk or just plain wrong then I'd be happy to re-assess my expectations.

I would really appreciate some advice/insight as the decisions I make in the next 6-8 weeks will undoubtedly drastically affect the direction my career takes. Thanks in advance and apologies for the long post.

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Immy

You will find plenty of people with good careers who trained in small practice, i know many.

But if you heart is set on a big 4 i'd say the way in is a masters from a university. I've worked with a few students over the years and one was telling me the partner in a big 4 told her she'd need a masters as well as her IT degree to be on par with a university grad. Another was offered a training contract after he completed a masters from UCD.

[Deleted User]

Are you in a training contract now or have you just finished college?

AtticusFinch86

I finished my accounting degree in June 2013 but I spent the past year doing a 1 year business diploma. It offered me a chance to work in China for 2 months so I didn't want to pass up that offer when it was on the table. I just completed it in May of this year.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Big 4 tend to be strict about entrance requirements for graduates train elsewhere then look for a job as a qualified accountant in a few years if you want.

Dellboy2007

Do a masters, you should definitely pick up a contract with at least a big 10 firm unless you completely mess up the interview. The leaving cert thing only applies to KPMG, don't bother applying to them.

AtticusFinch86

Thanks for the replies. Would a masters in an IT be enough or should I be focusing on a Uni masters? I have no money, so I would need a loan to pay the fees and accommodation.

For a masters in the local IT in Letterkenny, I can do it through the springboard programme which would mean that I would not have to pay student fees and it would entitle me to social welfare payments for the duration of the course. I would also get a 2 month work placement as part of the programme. I'd also gain full CAP 2 exemptions

Dellboy2007

AtticusFinch86 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Would a masters in an IT be enough or should I be focusing on a Uni masters? I have no money, so I would need a loan to pay the fees and accommodation.

For a masters in the local IT in Letterkenny, I can do it through the springboard programme which would mean that I would not have to pay student fees and it would entitle me to social welfare payments for the duration of the course. I would also get a 2 month work placement as part of the programme. I'd also gain full CAP 2 exemptions

If you're going for an IT one, make it DIT. Preferably a University if possible but if not make it DIT. The way I'd be looking at it is, if you're going for a big 4 job then you will be working in Dublin anyway. You may as well get used to it! Something to remember is that if you secure a contract with big 4 they will give you roughly 2k back on the masters. Not enough to cover the fees but it's something. It will look good for you in the interview when you turn around and say you took out a loan to do masters, it shows you're determined, etc.

Dellboy2007

And don't worry about your age, a lot of people only starting college at your age in this climate.

Immy

If you're going to the bother of doing a masters to get into a Big 4 then do it in a University.

jonnybravo

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

If you're going for an IT one, make it DIT. Preferably a University if possible but if not make it DIT. The way I'd be looking at it is, if you're going for a big 4 job then you will be working in Dublin anyway. You may as well get used to it! Something to remember is that if you secure a contract with big 4 they will give you roughly 2k back on the masters. Not enough to cover the fees but it's something. It will look good for you in the interview when you turn around and say you took out a loan to do masters, it shows you're determined, etc.

Think it's closer to €5k. It was 3 or 4 years ago anyways but it might have changed.

Dellboy2007

jonnybravo wrote: »

Think it's closer to €5k. It was 3 or 4 years ago anyways but it might have changed.

Is that for people who get the job in undergrad and choose to do a masters or people who get the job after paying themselves to do the masters?

It was closer to 2k in more recent times than you have suggested

jonnybravo

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

Is that for people who get the job in undergrad and choose to do a masters or people who get the job after paying themselves to do the masters?

It was closer to 2k in more recent times than you have suggested

People who have paid themselves to do the masters. That's how much I got anyways but it was a good few years ago so it might have changed now. Might be worth asking some of the Big 4 about it.

Jim2007

AtticusFinch86 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Would a masters in an IT be enough or should I be focusing on a Uni masters? I have no money, so I would need a loan to pay the fees and accommodation.

Look if you want to be an accountant, the most important think is to get qualified whether at a big four or not. There are plenty of opportunities out there for newly qualified accountants regardless of their background, if you are good at what you do you will succeed regardless of where you stared out.

And remember that the big 4 also take on newly qualifieds, so if you still want to go work there, there is always the possibility to join once qualified as well. Here is an example ad for the big 4 in the UK.

Tarzana

Dellboy2007 wrote: »

The leaving cert thing only applies to KPMG, don't bother applying to them.

All the big 4 are very concerned with LC results.

Dellboy2007

Tarzana wrote: »

All the big 4 are very concerned with LC results.

While you are correct, it does not mean that someone will not get in with bad lc results. The way it happens is, your application is graded on things such as: 2.1 degree = x points; masters degree (i.e. Cap 2 exemptions) = y points. They will set a benchmark and then HR will review everyone who is over this cutoff to look at other aspects of the person's application.

smcgiff

OP,

If I were you I'd apply for a role with a smaller firm. IF offered you don't have to take it.

You need to decide which is more important. Being an accountant or being a big 4 trained accountant.