How much should I be getting after 2 year (accounting/audit)?
 

Hi all,

In the accounting/finance industry.

In 2017, i started out in an SME audit firm getting 2.5K.
6 months later, I was promoted and drawing 2.8k.
This Feb, not promoted but pay increment to 3.1K.
I decided to leave for industry accounting, I requested for 3.9k.

Was wondering if it is too low.
Especially since I'm seeing "fresh grad median salary" at 3.5K.

Not from SMU, NTU or NUS.
Second Upper Honors Degree.
No CA.

p.s. any tips to improve my earning power etc ?
Thanks a lot.

Lol U do know salary guides are not accurate right?

Please la you’re from SIM. How much do you expect?

More than your you lo :).

I’m the OP.

not from SIM.
Came back after overseas studies from UK in 2016.
(Hence the honors classification)
Just curious cause I’m unsure about overseas degrees.

For local and private unis, I’ve got a rough idea so I wouldn’t even ask.
LOL.

P.S.
what’s with the mean comments.
Calm down lol.

Hey, why didn’t you try the big 4 since you returned from the UK?
Or the big 4 in the UK?

The company you are applying to makes a HUGE difference in the salary. The range can be huge. So it is very difficult to answer that part of the qn if 3.9 is ok or not. You probably need to give some background of the company(ies) you are applying to so we can help you here.

As to how to increase earning power, erm... make yourself employable in an area that is more urgently in need of talents? Your qn is very wide... I mean you need to sit down and think through what you really want.

What is your interests? What is your career plan? You want to increase earning power through what and where? Is it still by doing accounting? If so, for long term accounting, please go get a CA. If not necessary in accounting, which area you want to venture into? Do you have the skills in that area? If no, are you willing and prepare to acquire skills in that area? Otherwise, are you able to enter as junior roles in that area? You know auditing/accounting industry is evolving also, right? May be try to make yourself employable in the new area it will evolve to?

Thanks a lot.
I applied to an huge MNC (Allianz) as a financial accountant.
Yea, I’m planning to take my ACA since there are more exemptions granted with a UK degree.

Interests: analysis, (thinking roles) but preferably not at the expense of too many hours..
Planning to stay in accounting or finance industry, but sector will probably be revolving around the above company (similar types throughout my life I guess).

For the increasing earning power part, I need to think more about it :(

I have no idea why you’re comparing your salary to the local uni graduate median salary given that you’re a distance learning graduate of a vastly lower calibre.

It’s not a fair comparison.

No comments about the education
Just wondering why the OP didn’t stay till 3 years and get the CA certification once and for all first
Then head to the big 4 and have the big 4 on the resume (albeit minus one rank)

Vastly more opportunities instead of going into industry with neither a CA nor strong audit experience