JB's a significantly smaller market since most msian PLCs and MNCs are based in KL, as such it's harder to get jobs in JB. PwC JB office is very small nia.. about 50-100 people, compared by our PwC KL has 1500++, as such, it's a lot harder to get into PwC JB. Simple mathematical odds, innit

It seems to me you're already predetermined that you want to join PwC, even if I advise you against it.

But anyway,
1. PwC is the hardest (not because of the interview, but simply because PwC gets more applications than the rest, therefore the odds of them selecting you is lower).
All big 4s are equally selective, but the hurdle to meet to pre-qualify yourself has been getting lower of the past few years.

2. PwC HR will respond quickly, if they like your resume and your qualifications

3. Most reputable? I'd personally say all Big 4s are equally reputable. EY has the most KLSE listed companies. PwC has the large cap clients, KPMG has the global banks, and Deloitte has a very reputable tax department.

4. Best salary? NOT PwC. PwC traditionally has the lowest basic pay of all the big 4 firms. Why so? Despite the equal standing to employers, graduates somehow still perceive PwC to be the best, as such PwC has great bargaining power, which consequently result in PwC's pay being the lowest.

5. On how much an audit assistant with partial acca will get,
a. ACCA/CPA, whether you complete or not will not affect your pay by RM150. aka if you finished, you get Rm150 more.
b. Audit associates 1 (aka AAs with 1 year exp gets approximately Rm2.7-Rm2.9k, depending on your bargaining powers)

It's your career, you choose what you want. Nothing is easy, so we are not scaring you. We're just telling you your choices have real impact and real consequences. If you have doubts about whether you really want to do audit, go find somewhere else. I don't need juniors who has their heart floating somewhere, and gives me problems every other day.

So u're the batch of people I see in the lift complaining about their flash can't work and hogging up the entire 15th floor cafe

As far as I'm aware there's no increment on confirmation.

14 days leave is normal too. Legal minimum is 8 days btw

Both is good I like EY

Go Petronas!!! (PwC-er here)

Your question is manifold.

a. We're often thrown to do something we don't know, so we often have to learn new things, and that takes up time.

b. Clients likes to give us our requested documents at the end of the day, at friday 5.30pm, and often the deadline is the next day. (waiting time inclusive)

c. Audit fees in Asia is pathetic (fee pressure, generally disregard for audit etc), therefore audit firms cannot afford to hire sufficient staff to meet the required deadlines.

d. Kiasu partners, resulting in extensive work in areas that may seem riskless.

e. Due to shortage of staff, learning time, seniors have to spend alot of time coaching, and often have to spend a 2nd shift to do their own work

f. Higher staff turnover resulting in the feedback loop that is item 'a' above.

g. Deadlines. Often audits have to be signed 2 months after the year end (especially for listed cos), and what happens is it trickles down.
Signing date 2 months, means group consol must be done 1.5 months before, subgroup consol 1 month before, audit finished 0.5 months before... u get the idea. The more complex the group, the less time each team has in each phase. And then imagine if something material changes at the bottom of the group, and it flows upwards...

And each phase there's all the working papers to update, consol worksheets to change, disclosures to update.. casting to recheck...

Haha. Frankly, i think the above accounts for generally 60% of the problems la.
the remaining 40% is due to
a. Asians are just inefficient (we chit-chat, take long lunches, sit around facebooking)
b. High staff turnover - alot of learning time factored into it.
c. Asian's clients are generally not as competent.
d. Asian partners are very kiasi.

Probably family business and he is a nominee director.
He would do that, because parents generally want their kids to see the world, then only come back to do their family business. Outside perspective of big businesses (and big 4 is decent networking. Not the best.. but it's pretty alright)

Dont worry. They will give u an offer letter with the confirmed date. Otherwise just pretend and ask to check on the offer letter

a. Masters - no extra
b. Salary of 2.7k is ur basic. Take home pay will be less than 2.7k because of the employee's portion of EPF and then any other payments (SOCSO etc)

It's best you ask your firm's progression structure as to how it works. Generally though (and I don't think this is true for every company), progression is annual (assuming u meet the progression criteria..), and promotion every 2 or 3 years. That said, progression in tax after a while slows down, especially during the consultant - senior consultant range (ie ur 4th year onwards).

The days of 5 months are long gone

Last year, yes. But with the new high fixed, low variable model, that 5 month bonus is not gonna be there any more

Once you go past senior, there is no gap between ACCA and non-ACCA....

Are u a recruiter?

Really sound like recruiter language...

Lol lucky you. I'm busy all year and I feel guilty going on leave ><