Hi everybody. Not a frequent poster here, but would much appreciate if anybody could give some input.

Is there anybody on this board working at SC or has any experience working there? I'd like to know a few things about SC and I can't seem to find any first hand info on:

- how is the work culture in terms of people and hours (is it 9-5)?
- training/professional development?
- what should I expect in the assessment centre?
- how is the career progression?
- bonuses and benefits?

I have an offer from them for the Graduate Management Exec programme, but conditional on my grades plus passing the assessment centre when I get back to Malaysia (final year, studying in UK). The offer letter says nothing else besides my salary. I have a few friends who are SC scholars, but they don't seem to know much about the latter 2 either. To make things complicated, I got a call earlier today from PwC with an offer for their Assurance programme, which is 6 weeks intensive training with a test at the end and if I pass, I get a 4 year training contract with them. So now I'm torn between the two. I guess I'm having a hard time deciding because I'm at that stage in life where I'd like to try different things but my life goals are simple, really: some sort of financial independence as I approach my 30's.

I've broken down the pros/cons with what little knowledge I have about the two:

PwC
Pros: Great training, superb experience and exposure to industry, good career progression, plenty of both local and international exit options after 2-3 years of work (if I happen to consider it)
Cons: Workload-to-hours can be grueling, initial pay and increases aren't that great sub-partner level

PwC seems like a good place for me to learn a lot about the intricate details of business, and would be a perfect launchpad if I'm thinking of joining industry in pretty much anywhere in the world, especially with that super cool ACA/ICAEW badge. On the other hand, I can't imagine myself working until midnight, throughout a weekend weeks on end. I'm the type of person that needs that "chill out" time or else the bad side of me starts to really show.

SC
Pros: Great initial pay on offer, great location, people seem generally nice, better hours (unconfirmed), exposure to risk management and compliance/regulatory experience (major plus if thinking of joining a PLC for the latter)
Cons: Exit options are very slim (local only I suppose, and not much outside risk or compliance), unknown details on progression and benefits, still need to go through assessment centre so offer not in ink just yet.

If it's true that most days are 9-5 at SC, I think I could spend that extra time and earn some income with my savings. This is more like a steady returns choice, as opposed to white collar hell for a few years and big (arguable?) payoff at the end.
Oh, and I'm studying actuarial science. I don't know if this helps, but I guess at some point somebody would ask. Cheers if you're taking the time to read all this.

As you already said you can't imagine yourself working until midnight, so choose Securities Commission.

In the end, you will regret working for PwC because the stress would just burn you out. And who said SC does not give much exposure to risk or compliance. There is an even the so-called investigation department in SC.

Anyway, hardly anyone works beyond 7pm in Securities Commission. I was told that there is some spooky reason for that.  The SC building was said to be build on a graveyard. That I'm not sure. Go work there and tell me about it