Not sure about EY though, but due to the economic downturn..at least for the Transaction Services dept in PwC, it's kinda like a glut at the moment. Less IPOs or M&As at this juncture. Saw my friends just lepakkin' around just doing research. Go back at 6pm

They do hire fresh grad, but yup.. not very often unless you are indeed exceptional. That's why alot of them hired are not typically Accounting & Finance. I have a few friends from Imperial College, Cornell University and Princeton. Some did Engineering, Law or Economics. And yeah, it helps with the 'ang moh' slang..haha! It also helps if you have a few yrs of audit knowledge, then you transfer..

This post has been edited by sysh: Dec 31 2008, 03:08 PM

it seems that advisory has higher entry requirements than other dept. are their starting pay higher than other dept as well?

I love to join advisory

I think it would be fair to say that the amount of jobs would be less than when the economy is at its peak. However, in a bleak period like this, there are many other opportunities. For example, the Transaction Advisory Services dept. would have an increase in restructuring jobs. Whereas the Business Advisory Services dept. would see an increase in corporate restructuring, cost-reduction etc. type of jobs. I would say the hit on such professional service providers would not be severe during the current economic climate.

Typically, the Advisory service line favors applicants who possess at least a couple years experience in other service line. For example, 2 years or less in Assurance/Audit. However, I would not completely rule out the intake of freshgrads into the Advisory service line. I would presume the numbers are much smaller compared to the intake of freshgrads into the Assurance or Tax service line.

Yes, in terms if IPOs and M&As (Transaction Advisory Services' bread and butter), the activity in this dept. is lower. However, jobs of other nature starts to pick as well and compensate for the lack of IPOs and M&As ever so slightly.
I think it is also quite evident that an employee in Advisory is usually of better "quality".

Higher entry requirements, probably yes.
Higher starting pay, I doubt so. I can't be too sure but if I recall correctly, it's the same as any other service line. However, someone in a better position will need to come in and clarify on this.

This post has been edited by prancingHORSE: Jan 1 2009, 04:55 PM

I'm currently in EY audit dept but planning to switch to BAS (Business Advisory Services) dept. Have been doing audit for bout 1 year ald. Not really my cup of tea.

As far as I have found out its consultancy in Business Processes, HR, Supply Chain etc.

Anybody from EY BAS?? Mind to share more details about the work there?

Recruitment for KPMG has downsized considerably. Rumours of reduction in increment amongst the big 4 are floating around. Any of you guys heard the same thing?

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Added on January 4, 2009, 3:49 pmAdvisory does higher fresh grads, and yes we do get slightly higher pay than audit. However, audit experience is valuable, so jumping straight into advisory would not benefit you as much as if you were to do audit,then transfer after a couple of years. Life isnt easy in audit, but life was never easy to begin with.

This post has been edited by tillDeath: Jan 4 2009, 03:49 PM

Sigh.
I wonder what qualification for fresh graduate is needed for advisory function.

Ivy league first class honours degree cert.

You just have to have a relevant degree but what sets you apart is how well you carry yourself in the interview. The best weapon to bring to an interview is knowing about the dept you applied for, show them you know what you are applying for. I got a job in advisory fresh from college and thats even before I got my Acca. All I had was a degree in applied accounting (oxford brookes degree) and thats about it. Its not as difficult to enter advisory when you are fresh.

United States does not have honour system.

Lolz, not sure bout that.. Still, a degree cert from any school of Ivy League.

Going for an interview with D this wednesday for position of audit associate. Any forumers working there? Share some tips please!

Btw, what is current fresh grad pay in D for the year 2009? Hope can start work on Feb when OBU results are out

I got called up by pwc 2-3 weeks ago.. i think it was a week after the final assessment date for the march intake, they told me only june was open hiring and that march was full. But either way, they are asking for interviews this month (if u got accepted, u shud be called up or notified about 1-2 weeks ago for an interview this month). But i'm not waiting for june though, that's 2 long to wait.

I know the audit department in pwc is hard to get in though, even if u do get accepted initially for interview doesn't mean you'll get selected cuz there are 100's of applicants. So the early bird catches the worm.. apply fast.. and this will increase your chances to even get into the assessment stage.

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Added on January 5, 2009, 4:00 pmLOL.. i think... RM2400 as starting pay is adequate.
But better not get ur hopes up for march intake. Especially not feb. LOL. No one hires in Feb.

This post has been edited by wltw87: Jan 5 2009, 04:00 PM

why is there no hiring in Feb?

when is their hiring period ?

Eh are you sure? Can anyone confirm this? Because my friend got hired at EY on November. Apparently, he was one of the few who were recruited that month. So I thought big4s recruit at any month, even if it is a "weird" month.

Words cant describe how much i want to join any big 4 advisory.

This post has been edited by eDz: Jan 5 2009, 11:49 PM

That's because EY has new staff joining every month while PwC has moved to quarterly intakes since last year because of their new joiners program.

Hi, I was just wondering, which is better, Deloitte or BDO audit department?
I understand that Deloitte carries a better brand name, however, as far as i heard, BDO has better benefits / slightly higher pay.

So, in terms of learning, and chance to audit listed companies, which would be a better choice?

Thanks in advance for feedback!

I would say Deloitte. Their audit methodology is better.