trainee accountant practice

greendevil8

Just wondering what duties an audit trainee/trainee accountant would be completing day to day and what level of knowledge would be expected from a trainee to begin with. Is it an easy job to have or would it be described as pressurised? and lastly what are the work conditions like in these practices? just looking for an insight into the industry as im thinking of changing careers.

kluivert

Like all training programmes, you get a taste of everything but I think it depends on what size of practice you go to.

Small, Medium or Big 4.

Each have there own pro's and con's but I think mid size is best for all round experience and career progression.

I trained in a small practice and got a lot of exposure to everything but never really specialised in one particular area although there was scope to if I wanted.

Small Size insight.

1st Year:

Preparing Banks Rec etc for senior staff.
Preparing Small Accounts (Farming, sole trader etc)
Preparing Vat Returns (Bookkeeping duties)
Preparing Paye Returns
Preparing Intrastat Returns
Preparing Income Tax Returns (Alot of these come October/November time)
Ad Hoc duties...

2nd Year

More of the same....
Preparing mid size company accounts and audit.
Preparing Corporation Tax returns.
Preparing Preliminary CT returns.
Preparing Company Sectararial Paperwork (CRO Returns).

3rd year

More of the same....
Preparing audit plans.
Supervising Junior Trainees etc.
Ad Hoc Duties (Investment Appraisals, Due Diligence Reports etc)

Most practices of this size focus on auditing, i found out that I preferred the taxation element more so.

Am not in Industry, this is my second year now in industry and prefer it to practice, but I would do my time in practice before industry, as it is easier to move to industry rather then from it.