Hi all, i am an acca finalist and have been working for 5 years (3 years audit/0.5 yrs shared service/ and currently in 1.1 years GST). Have been doing some personal clients auditing/tax/accounting on freelance basis as well.

After all these years, i have been thinking of trying for Big4 and sadly i am left with one paper, which i didnt care and still apply for Big4 positions.

(Q1) , currently i have been hearing that EY have loosen up their threshold from "strictly employing graduates only" to "employ some non-grads+experienced staffs" . Is this true?

(Q2) After all these years in this field calling myself as "consultant", i am bored and would like to get a better career path........ i need your advice to further be challenged......

(Q3)Since i have followed advices from ppl saying "start from small firms so u learn alot!!!!" ........ i have done that for 5 years in multiple roles and all i see is that small firms are
-only for the beneficial of the partner/proprietor,
-not much salary and increments (even if the firm has new clients)
-no benefits (not even enuf to pay for 1 acca paper) (FYI i started with MYR1,200 when F papers were MYR 500++)
-although i had time to study for my exams, but is of no use when ur not given study leave appropriately in the name of " being fair to other employees" and in proper timing

SO after all i have learnt, i am exhausted and clueless on how to progress further since i have been in situation like this for the past 5 years.

Seeking for a solution.

Thanks frens.

Appreciate your opinions;

Kumar

Hi Wallace Zai, thanks for your positive encouragement. Good to see sum1 in the same boat, LOL!. Currently I am a GST Officer in a middle firm Morison Anuarul Azizan Chew Tax Consultants...... i dont think its that famous but have been quite long in the market (30 yrs ++)......

And sure, will complete ACCA ASAP. Thanks again! and Good Luck in applying for Big 4..... (PS:Pls dont forget me when ur in there! Lol!)

This post has been edited by advocate1988_90: Oct 15 2015, 09:30 AM

Hi Crystal,
Good day to you!
Yes i totally agree with your points and probably will jus keep trying like " Get "big4" or die tryin!!" Lol.... Thanks for your opinion, Crystal.

Also, jus wanna ask out of curiosity, is banking a worthwhile career? Since i didnt get the bigger picture in small and medium firms (i have been dealing all SME's my entire career) , is it a good decision to be entering the banking sector after obtaining experience in Big4? and if yes, banking has too many divisions, which would be a good choice other than IA/Risk Assessment ?

Appreciate your advice.

Thanks,
Kumar