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Looking for advice on becoming an accountant

  • 08-09-2008 7:26pm
    #1
    De Rossi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭


    Hi.

    I'm entering my final year of college where I'll be finishing my honours degree in Business Studies. I am interested in becoming an accountant, I've done accounting as a subject in my course. I just have a number of queeries in regard to it.

    a) Is it hard to find a firm to take you on at this stage (as in about 9 months before I'm available to work) and would you want to have something arranged in advance?

    b) Would my course be deemed suitable. I've done accouting as a subject. I've also done it in an IT as opposed to a university, would that have any bearing? My results have been pretty solid thoughout around 65% average.

    c) What would be the pay rate when you are being trained?

    d) Are the exams tough?

    e) Is there many vacancies available at the moment)

    And does anyone have any particular advice about approaching the firms looking for a place?

    Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,121 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    De Rossi wrote: »
    a) Is it hard to find a firm to take you on at this stage (as in about 9 months before I'm available to work) and would you want to have something arranged in advance?
    No and yes. The big 4 start recruiting now, check out gradireland for dates, the smaller local firms closer to Christmas / in the new year. They always take on people and like to have it sorted well in advance.
    De Rossi wrote: »
    b) Would my course be deemed suitable. I've done accouting as a subject. I've also done it in an IT as opposed to a university, would that have any bearing? My results have been pretty solid thoughout around 65% average.
    Yes, it sounds perfectly suitable to me. Keep up that grade if at all possible. The only big disadvantage is that the bigger firms recruit from the commerce faculties of this country, and mightn't necessarily visit your campus to do interviews or be in contact with your careers service notifying them of closing dates etc. They will be near you though. The smaller firms I doubt would care all that much as long as you seem enthuastic, easy to manage, can do the job and look like you will pass your exams without much trouble.
    De Rossi wrote: »
    c) What would be the pay rate when you are being trained?
    Not much from talking to friends but I don't know - I trained in industry and abroad.
    De Rossi wrote: »
    d) Are the exams tough?
    They aren't easy but with attending lectures, application and question practice they are manageable. They will take up an awful lot of your spare time so be prepared to say goodbye to alot of your social life for 4 months at a time.
    De Rossi wrote: »
    e) Is there many vacancies available at the moment)
    Haven't a clue. the big firms will probably cut back but the smaller ones will have a constant demand for the simple reason that no-one wants to stay on the same rubbish salary they were on as a trainee and tend to move on so there is constant progression.
    De Rossi wrote: »
    And does anyone have any particular advice about approaching the firms looking for a place?
    The sooner the better. You could have a job sorted within 8-10 weeks and then all you have to do is focus on keeping your grades up.

    These are the practices recruiting to train chartered accountants at the minute     the number will grow from November to the spring when they recruit most. Those guys are probably looking for people right away.
    Other advice: be positive and forward (even this post marks you out from the crowd).

    All interviewers want to know is:
    can you do the job? (your current results in an honours business degree suggest yes)
    will you do the job? - you seem to be committed to train so I guess that is a yes aswell.
    will you be easy to manage? Are you arrogant - bad, can you chat freely without much hesitation - good, can you handle stressful situations (eg akward client, deadlines) -good

    Last piece of advice: consider training in industry, or going to england. I did both and it has worked out well so far.


  • #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,121 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Exemptions This has all the ITs listed so you can compare your degree from a purely academic point of view.


  • #4
    De Rossi
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭De Rossi


    Thanks alot for that. A smaller local firm would probably be more suitable for me anyway because I'd rather not relocate if at all possible. Just one more question I'd have is how would you recommend getting in touch with the firms. Should I drop them an email or call into their offices or send in a CV?


  • #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 5,121 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    De Rossi wrote: »
    Thanks alot for that. A smaller local firm would probably be more suitable for me anyway because I'd rather not relocate if at all possible. Just one more question I'd have is how would you recommend getting in touch with the firms. Should I drop them an email or call into their offices or send in a CV?
    To be honest I haven't a clue - I got my job through an online ad.

    I reckon read what it says on the institute website, then send in a cover letter and CV. Give it a day or two to be delivered then follow up with a phone call. Usually it is one partner or the boss who is responsible for hiring. They are sometimes named on the site. Ask for the person by name if possible.

    To me this would be more effective than sending dozens of CVs to random firms.

    Also if you know the name of the firms hiring or in your home area, ask around. There will be plenty of self employed people in your extended network who need an accountant. They can tell you which firms have the same 3 people for the last 20 years and which always hire two or three trainees each year.


  • #6
    rover84
    Closed Accounts Posts: 49 ✭rover84


    De Rossi wrote: »
    Thanks alot for that. A smaller local firm would probably be more suitable for me anyway because I'd rather not relocate if at all possible. Just one more question I'd have is how would you recommend getting in touch with the firms. Should I drop them an email or call into their offices or send in a CV?

    Generally the firm's website will tell you if theyre recruiting or not. If they are recruiting, the website will provide you with the relevant email address to contact with your CV. If your not sure if theyre recruiting or not, give them a ring and someone will tell you if they want you to email your CV to them.


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  • #7
    gradireland
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭gradireland


    Hi there

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