Actually that is right. But isn't there an assistant finance manager that helps (normally experienced). Its because finance manager directly reports to financial controller/CFO like budgeting, forecasting, analysis of GP, .......etc. And AP/AR/GL,...... normally got their own accoutant to supervise which reports to finance manager, s(he) only have to review it for significant movements or errors. I think most MNC have shared service centre ? then its even easier transition.

Problem is commercial and audit is quite different. Auditors have a very specific line of responsibility but commercial is undefined. The worse part of commercial is you need to get your hands dirty and roll up your sleeve. Some if not most very into auditing will find this difficult to stomach.

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Added on December 25, 2010, 11:37 pmAmbience is quite ok but food average lo. I think almost everyone spend lavishly to "sell" themselves.
Its just that the principle of working hard = spend hard and play hard also.
Definitely not a "cheap" dinner by any means, especially from the feminine point of view.

This post has been edited by Topace111: Dec 25 2010, 11:37 PM

dear all..

would like to enquire about this "advisory" thingy...what is it about?

Q1: some say that it is related to internal audit...is it?..or is it more about management accounting?...

Q2: and among the Big 4, which offers it?..all Big 4 got this department?...

pls help to advice me about this.

Quoted for truth. Except someone who is desperate to leave for unconventional reasons.

No one I know who has left the firm I used to work for, including myself, settled for less than what we were getting. The main motivation to leave the firm is dissatisfaction with pay. Unless of course, you happen to have a very antagonistic relationship with your boss or some family issues like needing more time for kids.

And that comment about companies being reluctant to hire auditors for positions other than internal auditors isn't accurate either, but that's his opinion.

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Added on December 27, 2010, 9:46 amAdvisory is a very broad category of services. Basically its about providing "advice" to clients or providing answers to difficult questions they have on specific issues (corporate restructuring, tax issues, financing, risk management, infrastructure, anything under the sun lol). Is there a particular type of advisory work you are interested in?

This post has been edited by CKJMark: Dec 27 2010, 09:46 AM

is Finance manager like Management Accountant leh? FM should be ppl from accountants not auditors. Auditors don't know anything about business

can some experienced wise person that worked in big4, be honest about how is the peak period gonna be like?

work from 8am-1am from Monday to Sunday continuously from Jan until April?

Haha enlighten us please.

anyone have been shortlisted by KMPG Singapore?

did you guys know what is the test all about?

can anyone enlighten me?

As we've kept emphasized on, it largely depends on your job (how sucks is your job) and your senior (how much are they willing to take on the responsibility). There are some group of staff in my department who works from 8am to 3am from Monday to Sunday for 3, 4 months. Their luck is bad as they got a tough client.

5hours of rest (includes drive back, eat, bathe sleep, wake up again) for 3-4 months? Doesnt sound logical, but u must be serious. Gosh.

It's easier to say that u can do it in the interview.
But when u are in the audit team, u will know that words are cheap

Fact of the matter is that working in audit GENERALLY is about having to take the long hours(if you're the lucky few who gets to knock off sharp then good for you but the vast majority don't). Funny how I have a candidate telling me she wants an audit job with a big 4 firm, how she's willing to do this and that but wants to go home sharp at 6 p.m. Laugh my socks-off. Told her that will only happen when hell freezes over..... hahaha

anyone experienced any notorious staff?

How do u define notorious?

Plenty. I'm one myself. I made people resign before. Wanna try?

what are your ways of making ppl resign? do share here to give ppl some ideas what to expect.

Let's just say the 'resignation' was an 'outcome'. It's not something I deliberately planned to do, but the process of how we work, contributed to it.

1. Work late hours. (duh. if you're not smart, be ready to put in the hours to make up for it) You may think it's not a big deal. You've partied and studied long hours. Well, nothing's prepared you for this. The long hours will grind you, strangle you, and slowly bore itself into you like water eroding away the shore. The sheer volume of work will find away to drive you restless, and it will cause you to lose sleep, even when you have time for it. And as time ticks away, and the stress and late hours start to creep onto your face...

2. Expected to learn fast, and be ready to be corrected. (generally from what I observe, most people feel stupid and useless after working with me (not deliberately, just that i talk too fast)...) And when you're not used to getting told that you're wrong, that you've made mistakes etc, you'll crack. Slowly. Inferiority complex will start creeping in, and you'll start having an existential crisis wondering what did you dug yourself into. You'll ask whether accounting is right for you....

3. Have some f*cking business/common sense. (not something that can be taught, but be prepared to get some snide remarks from your clients and your bosses when u ask something that has no common sense) This usually comes with the above.

4. Watching your batchmates who can't endure as well as you, leave.
You'll start to feel lonely. You'll feel as if everyone's out to get you.

So ThanatosSwiftfire, how long do you plan to stay in Audit line under Big4?

Oh well, the Big 4 thread, just joined one of the Big 4 and already 2011 is greeted with salary revision for fresh grad in EY and KPMG

You maybe right on that, but just curious.
What is the difference between a financial accoutant and management accountant in the first place ?

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Added on January 1, 2011, 11:28 pmEmm technically I prefer to work from after normal office hours. Thats why I like outstation jobs. Factory close sharp at 6pm and have to work from hotel whereas in KL, most organization can stay until midnight. Feels more motivated to work in 2 different environment. Of course its easier said than done. But if that staff can deliver her work even if she leaves at 6pm, I dont mind such people also.

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Added on January 1, 2011, 11:56 pmHa ha ha, you summarized them quite well and "honestly' too .
I also want to add some flavor too :
1) Work late hours is expected but it could be due to several reasons :
- Inefficiency : happens a lot during my first few months.
- workload : the quantity aspect will really take a toll as this is where your multitasking skill will be tested.
- analysis : the quality aspect which depends on individual, this depends on the company audited. Some are easy, some are not.
- time cost : every auditor dislike this one except the partners and client.

2) Steep learning curve :
A junior needs to know a lot of things about audit (theory + practical) before they can even start audit. Vouching and sighting is just the very brief surface of audit. And most must swallow their ego on these. I get tons of beating and scolding during my probation period as I come in with higher expectation maybe due to age or education or whatever. Once adjusted and adapt accordingly, things will get very natural. My "eureka" for audit comes quite quickly hence I face less problem as the period progressed compared to others.

3) Logic
This is mainly can be seen from analytical review (internal) and interview (external). For me this is my forte area compared to my technical side, to me its important to be prepared and arm yourselves with sufficient ammunition. In short you have to start learning to "cover your act". One of the most important weapon of any auditors. I always try to be friendly with client if possible (which can enlarge your networking)

4)..........
I really hate this part, watching departures....... Just recently I watched half of my team left just before peak period.......... This is the part that Big4 will start to get into you. Quite funny or irony that everyone I saw, they left with a smile on their face.

Now waiting for the year end MA to be released and its hell all over again

This post has been edited by Topace111: Jan 1 2011, 11:56 PM

Not long

If I not mistaken, peak allowance is given from Jan - April 2011 and will be paid lump sum in the month of April...Partners came up with this action because most of the seniors in Assurance Dept are not satisfied with their bonus practice...All this while, bonus is paid 60% in December and the remaining 40% in March...however, in 2009, they started to pay fully in October stating that it is to follow Far East branches...Now, in 2010, EY has changed back to old policy to retain most of their workers believing that their employees will go thru the peak with them if 40% of bonus is paid in March...With this, seniors are not satisfied and filed for petition to obtain answer from partner...I believe the salary revision is also an act to keep their staffs with them...I doubt the peak allowance and salary revision will have a huge jump...