Engineering or Accounting?

dardarbinks

Hi guys, just looking for a little bit of advice.

I have just finished my undergrad in Engineering. Back in November 16 I signed a training contract with a big four firm to join the Audit department.

Since then a few opportunities have presented themselves to continue with Engineering instead of jumping to accountancy.

I'm really torn between the two, the future earning in accounting is seemingly much better. But the starting salary in engineering is considerably better than my current contract.
The work of an engineer I would probably enjoy more, I've never done accounting at all. I've also heard that audit can be a real drag at times.

I suppose I'm looking for some opinions on it from people from an accounting side of things. So far everyone in engineering advises to stick with Engineering.

Thanks in advance!

thebsharp

Would you still be interested in studying accountancy outside of the Big 4?

Why I ask is because you could always self-study accountancy while working as an engineer. You'd still probably be doing less hours than Big 4 trainees from the experience my friends have had. If you realise engineering isn't for you then you jump ship with a number of exams already under your belt. Potential employers will recognise this and it should be reflected in your salary. You'll still need a min. number of 3 years experience to become fully qualified though.

I'm an engineer studying ACCA but I don't want to be an accountant. The subjects are great for learning about business and accountancy qualifications are great things to have.

dardarbinks

thebsharp wrote: »

Would you still be interested in studying accountancy outside of the Big 4?

Why I ask is because you could always self-study accountancy while working as an engineer. You'd still probably be doing less hours than Big 4 trainees from the experience my friends have had. If you realise engineering isn't for you then you jump ship with a number of exams already under your belt. Potential employers will recognise this and it should be reflected in your salary. You'll still need a min. number of 3 years experience to become fully qualified though.

I'm an engineer studying ACCA but I don't want to be an accountant. The subjects are great for learning about business and accountancy qualifications are great things to have.

Well honestly if the offer wasn't from a big four firm I probably would never have taken it. I like the idea of learning about business and applying it in engineering but there are probably better ways to go about doing that than taking a contract from a big 4 firm. I suppose a part time masters while I work as an engineer would have the same effect.

I guess the way I see it is if I jump ship to accounting now, it may be hard to get back into engineering, and it will always be at the back of my mind that I should've continued with engineering. But if I take the engineering job, I would probably be able to go into accounting at a later date.

Jim2007

dardarbinks wrote: »

The work of an engineer I would probably enjoy more, I've never done accounting at all. I've also heard that audit can be a real drag at times.

You are going to spend a life time do it, so make sure it is something you actually enjoy. It is not as if you are going to starve on an engineers salary now is it?

Mickiemcfist

I agree with the above, as someone who's an accountant id recommend you stick with what you actually like. Depending on what type of engineering you're doing, I'd be surprised if accountancy is better paid. You can always go back to accounting if engineering doesn't work out, they're always after people with different specialisations.