Where to from here (Career advice - a *little* off topic)

[shasta]

Thanks Shasta. Also, do you agree with Steve and Corporate's recommendation? I'm thinking what they say makes sense. And with the professor recommending I give honours a miss too, perhaps it is best? I just want to make sure that when/if the big firms come headhunting, they come to me first.

Yip absolutely, but don't get too hung up on honours this, & getting headhunted, you have to ultimately sell yourself!

Big firms don't just look for those with the highest grades, they also look for people with all round skills who will fit in with there culture.

I had just over 8 years with PwC & your personality gets you in the front door, not having the best grades.

I'm in between roles at the moment, having done a bit of contracting the last couple of years.

Edit: I see Corporate has already posted what i have. Clearly he knows how to play the game!

[stone small green]

since u have interest in finance, I guess it wouldn't hurt for you to be looking at the CFA level one exam, which open the door to become a charted financial analyst which will help you with everything you want.

[marknz88]

Grades aren't everything either.

I went along to EY's summer intern intake day this year (applied for audit internship) and had a good chat with the everyone there. Got on really well with the partners who interviewed me and they actually helped me change my mind about my career path (my personality didnt suit auditing and I have actually moved totally away from accounting in general now)

So like said above, apply for the summer internships...its a lot easier to get into the big four once you graduate if you get one and it also allows you to get a taster for what a full time role in your service line might be like. In saying that however they do take a lot of graduates.

They are looking for a certain kind of person however (deloitte look for quite a different candidate than EY do and then KPMG also look for a different type of person). Well roundedness is a must. Thats what helped get me my interview (not my grades in accounting)

Also re accounting honours for your fourth year. Most people I know are doing post grad diploma's. From what I've heard and understand, honours in accounting doesn;t help in the real world as such. Its more for those looking to enter academia.

[shasta]

Grades aren't everything either.

I went along to EY's summer intern intake day this year (applied for audit internship) and had a good chat with the everyone there. Got on really well with the partners who interviewed me and they actually helped me change my mind about my career path (my personality didnt suit auditing and I have actually moved totally away from accounting in general now)

So like said above, apply for the summer internships...its a lot easier to get into the big four once you graduate if you get one and it also allows you to get a taster for what a full time role in your service line might be like. In saying that however they do take a lot of graduates.

They are looking for a certain kind of person however (deloitte look for quite a different candidate than EY do and then KPMG also look for a different type of person). Well roundedness is a must. Thats what helped get me my interview (not my grades in accounting)

Also re accounting honours for your fourth year. Most people I know are doing post grad diploma's. From what I've heard and understand, honours in accounting doesn;t help in the real world as such. Its more for those looking to enter academia.

Actually those devoid of a personality probably make better auditors

Who REALLY wants to do audit

[CJ]

Agree with all comments above. Good grades alone wont get you into a big 4 but bad grades definately wont - though you have been accepted into honours so this probably isn't an issue.

Audit is good if you want to move out into CFO type roles. Corporate finance is where the big money is so doing a double major with finance wouldn't be a bad idea.

[upside_umop]

Gidday,

May I ask what university your at? Could make a difference in your choice on the above options.

I'm in my honours finance year at Canterbury and wouldn't recommend doing it unless you have a relatively good maths background. Its quite tough, and it does stray away from the likes of 'applying the CAPM.'

I also do an accounting honours paper which is interesting. You certainly dont need honours to get into the big four but it can help showing your ambition. Most of my accounting buddies who are in big four are just the standard 4 years. Make sure you get your liberal papers (for entry to NZICA)...it does apply at your university right?

Stone small green makes a good point at looking into your CFA level one...I havent, but will pursue it in the future.

Re: Auditing. Its good if you want to travel...how ever boring it may be!

[steve fleming]

Corporate finance is where the big money is so doing a double major with finance wouldn't be a bad idea.

Totally agree.

I always recommend to accounting/finance grads that want to get into corporate finance to start with at least 2-3 years in audit/ BAS to get qualified and to work on their technical accounting skills.

Then, when qualified, move across to the corporate finance division of their accounting firm, where they can learn valuation, transaction advisory and due diligence skills.

A combination of decent accounting skills and corporate finance experience will set your career up perfectly.

[buns]

If you want to study about some guy creating double entry accounting with a bone against a cave wall do Accy hons. The Gdip lets you choose some specialist areas in accounting, or outside - go for that.

Why does everyone see the Big 4 as the only option? Me for one never considered them. They are super hierarchical and in my books groom you to there needs, and quite often pigeon hole some grads.

The other thing is what kind of person are you - as we are on share trader I'm assuming you have interest in competition and corporate activity. Do you like to work for yourself/your own company? Or don't mind solving accounting issues for other companies? If so go big 4.

There summer programmes will give you a good taste of it, but I find a lot of grads getting lured in from the excitement of that first job and don’t consider other possibilities after the summer programmes.

[sharer]

...Any justifications as to why I'll be greatful I did Honours in 20 years time Sharer?

O my Artful Dodger unit!
Because there is such painful deficiency of Honour in so many of the fields infested by beancounters!
The current global financial crisis is noticed in passing. All of it apparently caused by graduates of programmes and internships just like the temptations now dangling before you
Other options will of course be more lucrative - indeed the less Honour intrudes the greater quantities of lucre likely to engulf you.

Now about your Honours studies, dear young Dodger, stay right away from from the bean enumeration departments. What i'm thinking of for you is that more good will come from studies of Poetry, Philosophy, and in your case, the literature of English. It will make you even greatfuller.

[shasta]

If you want to study about some guy creating double entry accounting with a bone against a cave wall do Accy hons. The Gdip lets you choose some specialist areas in accounting, or outside - go for that.

Why does everyone see the Big 4 as the only option? Me for one never considered them. They are super hierarchical and in my books groom you to there needs, and quite often pigeon hole some grads.

The other thing is what kind of person are you - as we are on share trader I'm assuming you have interest in competition and corporate activity. Do you like to work for yourself/your own company? Or don't mind solving accounting issues for other companies? If so go big 4.

There summer programmes will give you a good taste of it, but I find a lot of grads getting lured in from the excitement of that first job and don’t consider other possibilities after the summer programmes.

Because i've worked in both a big 4 & a 2nd tier CA firm previously, & to be honest being in the 2nd tier firm was a waste of my time!

I've sinced worked for a private energy company, & done contract work for both a charitable organisation, & a large crown entity

Being exposed to different aspects of accounting, insolvency, tax (& audit ...gulp) etc in a big 4 opened up the opportunities i've had.