Accountancy undergrad need advice

[lightskain]

Hi everyone have been reading this forum for a while but created a new account as it's been on my mind.

I'm about to graduate BAcc in 1 year time but I'm not too sure what I should focus on.

Grades wise I'm currently first class as I really enjoy accounting.

I have not done audit before given hearing the horror stories as well, so im not too sure if that's what I want to do.

Should I instead try the other non audit Dept, such as financial services within big 4 or would there be better opportunities elsewhere as I still want to focus on accounting related jobs.

Thanks

Originally Posted by lightskain

Hi everyone have been reading this forum for a while but created a new account as it's been on my mind.

I'm about to graduate BAcc in 1 year time but I'm not too sure what I should focus on.

Grades wise I'm currently first class as I really enjoy accounting.

I have not done audit before given hearing the horror stories as well, so im not too sure if that's what I want to do.

Should I instead try the other non audit Dept, such as financial services within big 4 or would there be better opportunities elsewhere as I still want to focus on accounting related jobs.

Thanks

Men must not be lazy. First year 80 to 100 hours work week during peak is good training for the mind.

Originally Posted by lightskain

Hi everyone have been reading this forum for a while but created a new account as it's been on my mind.

I'm about to graduate BAcc in 1 year time but I'm not too sure what I should focus on.

Grades wise I'm currently first class as I really enjoy accounting.

I have not done audit before given hearing the horror stories as well, so im not too sure if that's what I want to do.

Should I instead try the other non audit Dept, such as financial services within big 4 or would there be better opportunities elsewhere as I still want to focus on accounting related jobs.

Thanks

You would have to do SQP though, have you checked up on that? Thing is, if you do enjoy accounting, it’s best that you stick to audit, finish up the 3-4 years, get your SQP and see if you’d like to stay or enter the private sector. Accounting today is different from the accounting of past so I would advise you to try finance (banks) or learn tech (coding) or at least consider these options but know that you won’t be able to practise as an accountant. Audit is the best option if you would like accounting to be a lifelong career.

I would suggest advisory. It has gd prospects and not dreadful like audit.

shag..useless degree :/

Originally Posted by lightskain

Hi everyone have been reading this forum for a while but created a new account as it's been on my mind.

I'm about to graduate BAcc in 1 year time but I'm not too sure what I should focus on.

Grades wise I'm currently first class as I really enjoy accounting.

I have not done audit before given hearing the horror stories as well, so im not too sure if that's what I want to do.

Should I instead try the other non audit Dept, such as financial services within big 4 or would there be better opportunities elsewhere as I still want to focus on accounting related jobs.

Thanks

Since you are getting 1st class honour. Why not try big 4 1st. Give it a shot for at least 1 year before you think of something else. The only horror stories i heard about audit is the OT. But other than that. It is pretty ok. Just go through the motion only.

[PleaseGPGT]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Since you are getting 1st class honour. Why not try big 4 1st. Give it a shot for at least 1 year before you think of something else. The only horror stories i heard about audit is the OT. But other than that. It is pretty ok. Just go through the motion only.

You forgot... low pay

Originally Posted by PleaseGPGT

You forgot... low pay

You are right. But most account student fresh grad got to start somewhere. Commercial firm is not going to hire you if you got no experience. Big 4 would be a good start for them.

I am a first year audit associate in a big 4 now, graduated from a local uni w BAcc too. Almost all the first class honors have left the firm within a few months of entering. Some went into MA programs or finance analyst positions (paying >4k+/mth). at entry levels of audit, you are also exposed to alot of mundane tasks such as vouching which doesn't really take much brainpower.

also, entry levels for the accounting/audit industry does not seem to pay that well. A FCH here gets paid i think 3.3k/mth while there are so many other doors open to a local uni BAcc FCH in other financial industries that pays so much higher (>4.5k/mth)

Ultimately, if your goal is to be CFO or accountant (if your interest is in accounting), there could be better paths out there.

coming to audit is just a waste of your FCH imo.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I am a first year audit associate in a big 4 now, graduated from a local uni w BAcc too. Almost all the first class honors have left the firm within a few months of entering. Some went into MA programs or finance analyst positions (paying >4k+/mth). at entry levels of audit, you are also exposed to alot of mundane tasks such as vouching which doesn't really take much brainpower.

also, entry levels for the accounting/audit industry does not seem to pay that well. A FCH here gets paid i think 3.3k/mth while there are so many other doors open to a local uni BAcc FCH in other financial industries that pays so much higher (>4.5k/mth)

Ultimately, if your goal is to be CFO or accountant (if your interest is in accounting), there could be better paths out there.

coming to audit is just a waste of your FCH imo.

Do you have to take SQP to be CA?