Erm, from my understanding if you don't clear Part 2 of ACCA, you wont be promoted to Senior. And to be a Mgr, you'll need to clear everything.

For managers, from what I recall you need to be professionally qualified (aka passed exams be it CPA, ACA, ACCA, CA or whatever, though there has been exceptions)

As for seniors I do not recall having such restrictions in PwC. Furthermore it'll probably be deemed unfair to draw the line between different qualifications.

Oh nono! I just came back from mamak session! Haha! Work-life balance means working during weekends till late is a no-no for me =).
Lol! What you said is so true! It is like college, with audit work (assignments) to do, and then submitting file for review at a set deadline (submission of assignments), and then the results (query sheets). And when it's all over, we celebrate our success as a team!

And yes, the occasional office drama and complaints heard from colleagues. Gotta love that, don't we? In a way, its kinda fun being surrounded by ppl around the same age!

Depends on how much the senior in charge can trust you in handling the sections. I've just finished my internship with one of the Big 4 and I've met both types of seniors, seniors who do not entrust me with much work, so you should expect to do more vouching, TOC and admin stuffs; the other type who entrusted me with sections of the working papers. I've assisted my senior in charge in Income Statement's section too. For that particular engagement, a new AA joined a week later than me, and in fact, I had heavier workload than her, merely because I came in earlier and was much familiar with the clients. My SIC actually asked me whether I had anything for her to do So it really depends on the SIC (at least for my case). Good luck! Don't be disappointed if you happen to meet the first type of senior because it's not til you really handle the sections that you miss the time when you're vouching and filing. I see it as an opportunity to learn, though admin stuffs are sometimes quite annoying to be done. All the best!!

Oh yeah, about working after office hours, it's normal. Still, it depends on your SIC. There was once I volunteered to stay back because I couldn't finish my job and it was my last day for that particular engagement. My seniors reluctantly agreed and chased me back home about 9. On the other hand, I had a senior that expected me to stay as long as she stayed at client's place. As a matter of fact, we are not supposed to stay that late. 6-7 is acceptable. If the managers have any slightest idea about this, they are gonna 'talk' to the SIC (at least for my department).

I have to put a disclaimer here, just in case this doesn't apply to everyone. I'm just speaking from my own experience as a trainee in one of the Big 4.