HUGE career decision..Need Help ASAP!!

aka accounts 2010 · 25-08-2010 11:49PM #1

Hey guys,
I finished college a few months ago and I'm leaving with an honours degree in accounting..I've registered with Chartered Accountants Ireland and have cleared all my CAP1 exemptions..
I've spent the summer looking for a trainee accountant position and now two have arrived at once..

One is a 3.5yr trainee accountant contract with a recognised chartered accounting firm. Exams,materials paid for and 6 weeks paid study leave.(13k per yr)

The other is in industry,car dealership to be exact. Again trainee accountant position but I'll be sorting all the exams out myself and getting only a few days study leave before them. Costs etc will fall on me plus I'm worried I may not gain the necessary experience in relation to auditing,tax etc to satisfy chartered accountants ireland.(18k per yr).

I've to decide in the next 48hours and I NEED advice!!!

Thanks in advance!!

Axwell · 26-08-2010 12:00AM

Have no experience in accounting but from a career perspective I think the first sound like it ticks all the boxes from what you are saying. Its with a chartered accounting firm, they will give you study leave and pay for materials and the work would be training in the specific areas you want to work in.

The second is a good job but doesnt offer the same exam opportunities and possibly not the wide range of exprience that you would want to learn.

Seems to me from your own post you know yourself which one you prefer more and the only reason you are even second guessing is because both options presented themselves at the same time.

Whichever you choose best of luck with the new job!

aka accounts 2010 · 26-08-2010 12:10AM

Thanks for the advice..
I have a feeling that the position with the chartered firm may lead to a greater variety of options in terms of future employment and thats what is leading me more that direction.
The other is a good position to but without the push and necessary people around me I might delay doing the exams and eventually not even do them which will leave me behind in a few years time..

Thanks again for the advice!!

tenchi-fan · 26-08-2010 12:19AM

Working in practice can be very demoralising and my mate (who's cpa) said he worked with some newly qualified chartered people and they didn't have a clue.

Odats · 26-08-2010 12:30AM

Just to factor in the second option your experience won't be relevant unless the car dealership is registered as a trainer with the CAI and you should have a qualified ACA or FCA over you to review your training log CA diary. €13K plus €3.5K exam fees plus 6 weeks study leave is very low base salary normally around €17-18K is the norm with CAP1 exemption down the country (suppose employers market) presume it is small practice for the trainee CA option.
I just finished my 3.5 contract in April and although it is a hard slog once you get into exam time you are back into tax returns and so on. I'd suggest take the safety of the 3.5 year contract and with the way the car industry has gone through the job security isn't the best. Once you pass the exams you get compulsory increment set out by the CAI.

loveacca · 26-08-2010 08:57AM

You will get a lot more varied experience in the practice. Money is not a key factor at this stage your main consideration should be exam leave and support, you will be surrounded by other people in a similar situation to yourself in practice
Also a job in industry may not be as secure as it once was
You will hear horror stories about every job

ams · 26-08-2010 09:02AM

I would go with the first option. You need the minimum study leave as recommended by the CAI to get through all the materials for your exams.

jarvis_c82 · 26-08-2010 09:11AM

I would recommend the 1st option also. You would only get a very limited experience with the second.

The extra time for study will come in handy for the CAP 2's. Also, there will be other trainee or accountants to help you through the exams in the accountancy practice. Money is not great but a job is a job in this market.

smcgiff · 26-08-2010 10:43AM

Option 1 for what it's worth.

Da GOAT · 26-08-2010 10:54AM

option 1 - no contest

Needchange · 26-08-2010 11:28AM

I agree - Option 1.

Ideo · 26-08-2010 01:26PM

Agree with option 1. Any guarantees that the car dealership will be in existence in a years time? There have been a fair few closures in recent months!!

djk1000 · 26-08-2010 06:36PM

Option 1, no contest.

MrMatisse · 26-08-2010 06:42PM

Accountancy firm-No contest

instofhorror · 27-08-2010 07:51AM

Odats wrote: »

Just to factor in the second option your experience won't be relevant unless the car dealership is registered as a trainer with the CAI and you should have a qualified ACA or FCA over you to review your training log CA diary. €13K plus €3.5K exam fees plus 6 weeks study leave is very low base salary normally around €17-18K is the norm with CAP1 exemption down the country (suppose employers market) presume it is small practice for the trainee CA option.
I just finished my 3.5 contract in April and although it is a hard slog once you get into exam time you are back into tax returns and so on. I'd suggest take the safety of the 3.5 year contract and with the way the car industry has gone through the job security isn't the best. Once you pass the exams you get compulsory increment set out by the CAI.

I'm guessing hes in the north, where its the norm outside big 4

HUGE career decision..Need Help ASAP!!

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