CADETSHIPS 2012 Discussion Thread (2 Viewers)

[Jinks]

Other than the respective divisions/teams, do you have any other thoughts/factors influencing you?

Well I suppose the EY building is in a more "city" location (I am in Melbourne) but that really isn't a huge factor either way, I loved the people from both firms, all friendly and could see myself working at either. I also had the feeling that EY may be more restrictive in terms of moving around internally, however there is the option to come back as a graduate instead of a consultant and do some rotation, but I rather wouldn't sacrifice the cadetship advantage and start out as a graduate. PwC seemed to be open for movement, but that's just how I felt after all the information nights/AC's.

So you can see how i am partially stuck haha!

 

[tambam]

Before I start I will just say i have been stalking this forum for a few months now but just decided to register!

I have been lucky enough to recieve an offer from both EY and PwC for a cadetship position, however I am completely confused regarding which offer I should be accepting, in terms of remuneration both are almost identical (PwC slightly more) and in both I would be entering the Tax divisions. In EY i would be entering Private Client Services (most likely) or possible Human Capital and for PwC in the Specialist Tax department, possibly R&D or transfer pricing, but that is just an educated guess.

Would appreciate opinions/feedback regarding my dilemma, thanks in advance!

PwC all the wayyyyy.

This time last year I also had to choose between 3 firms, but at the end of the day I think my choice was more heavily influenced by whether I wanted to do fs audit or private clients, so I guess my decision was different in that sense.
I guess if its so similar for you, it really comes down to little things. Eg. A lot of my friends were going to be cadets at the same firm, and the partner who interviewed me made an effort to call me a few times when I was still tossing up between the firms. Are they giving you the chance to go to uni for the first year and start work later?

Also, at pwc, do you really want to be attached to a specialised accounting career so early on when you don't really have much knowledge or experienceof what to expect? At the moment I think I've been placed in the tax division of private clients, but my interviewer said if I wanted they could arrange for me to move around and see what working in the other service lines would be like. So unless you're extremely set on tax, is either firm going to offer you the same flexibility?

And so I'm not completely biased, I think ey has an advantage in that their cadets return as seniors upon graduation, whereas pwc makes you a senior graduate (but I don't really know whether there are actual benefits attached to this)

But yeah, there's some things to think about. Good luck with your decision

 

[Jinks]

PwC all the wayyyyy.

This time last year I also had to choose between 3 firms, but at the end of the day I think my choice was more heavily influenced by whether I wanted to do fs audit or private clients, so I guess my decision was different in that sense.
I guess if its so similar for you, it really comes down to little things. Eg. A lot of my friends were going to be cadets at the same firm, and the partner who interviewed me made an effort to call me a few times when I was still tossing up between the firms. Are they giving you the chance to go to uni for the first year and start work later?

Also, at pwc, do you really want to be attached to a specialised accounting career so early on when you don't really have much knowledge or experienceof what to expect? At the moment I think I've been placed in the tax division of private clients, but my interviewer said if I wanted they could arrange for me to move around and see what working in the other service lines would be like. So unless you're extremely set on tax, is either firm going to offer you the same flexibility?

And so I'm not completely biased, I think ey has an advantage in that their cadets return as seniors upon graduation, whereas pwc makes you a senior graduate (but I don't really know whether there are actual benefits attached to this)

But yeah, there's some things to think about. Good luck with your decision

Thanks for your response, as I mentioned earlier i think PwC offers the flexibilty to try a few different divisions if I want to, which I think is very important as i do have no experience what so ever. Both offers outline that I will be studying full time next year, then complete university on a part time basis during my second and third year and then complete my last year full time with the opportunity for casual work.

I suppose I wouldn't mind the tax side of private clients but I am thinking that specialist tax at PwC might give me a little more of a diverse/varied experience which may in fact help me decide what I want to work in later on. Either way though I am sure Tax is where I want to be working!

Is there a lot of difference between the "Senior Graduate" and "Consultant" title offered by Pwc and EY respectively?

Edit: also when they say the study grant is paid each month whilst you are studying, how many months is that exactly?

 

[tambam]

Edit: also when they say the study grant is paid each month whilst you are studying, how many months is that exactly?

Is this for PwC? If so its for 9 months, so in terms of the cadet grant there's minimal difference between the 2 firms.

Also with regards to the flexibility thing, dont go by assumption or what you've heard, if its an important part of the deal, talk to both firms and ask them about it.

 

[beckj]

Does anyone know when the KPMG assessment centres finish? Or when they started/will start making offers?

 

[Jinks]

Is this for PwC? If so its for 9 months, so in terms of the cadet grant there's minimal difference between the 2 firms.

Also with regards to the flexibility thing, dont go by assumption or what you've heard, if its an important part of the deal, talk to both firms and ask them about it.

Yeah it was PwC, thanks for that. I also had a chat to both firms and am aware of the flexibilty options, PwC seems to have greater room for movement that EY

 

[seremify007]

I haven't read everything but graduate = consultant = associate (i.e. entry level fresh from university position). As a returning cadet/trainee you may get a nicer title like experienced consultant, experienced associate, etc which basically means you are more knowledgable but not yet a senior.

Prefixing senior to any of the above titles is a genuine level up but keep in mind that different firms define it differently and hence progression can vary. e.g. KPMG (as far as I know) has automatic promotion to senior accountant upon returning from uni whereas the other Big 4 require you to work for 6-12 months in the experienced graduate role. That being said the senior salary in KPMG is significantly lower (and not much more than) the other firms experienced graduate level- that's a good indicator of where the role actually lies.

 

[Jinks]

Alright that makes sense thanks! so what do you think PwC or EY?

and if you dont mind could you pm a bit of background about how you came to be in your position today and the journey so far?

 

[BandarSingh]

Hey all,

LOL so i don't have the dilemma of choosing between EY and PwC; rather, I currently face the dilemma of having to choose between KPMG (audit) and PwC (assurance - same thing lol). I thoroughly and equally enjoyed the working environments at both firms. Quite overwhelmed right now and I'm not too sure which way I should go with this.

I'll have to turn to you BOSers to provide some insight into both companies to allow me to make an informed decision. So, any advice? Insights?

 

[aslhui]

hii there~~~~!!!!!
you guys r just amazing!!!!!
congratz
At this stage, your application has not made it to interview stage. However due to the competitiveness for candidates within the profession, your application will still be under consideration over the next couple of week
I will contact you if you have been selected for the next phase of interviews.

does this mean i still got chance?

 

[aslhui]

also anyone offered at moore stephens orr pkf orr grant thornton??

 

[aslhui]

Received an email today from pkf saying that they're still reviewing applications and will contact me next week. Think I still have a chance? >.<

LOL heyy me too~

 

[MichelleV]

hii there~~~~!!!!!
you guys r just amazing!!!!!
congratz
At this stage, your application has not made it to interview stage. However due to the competitiveness for candidates within the profession, your application will still be under consideration over the next couple of week
I will contact you if you have been selected for the next phase of interviews.

does this mean i still got chance?

. Oh I got this too.. it's basically a polite way of saying no, unless everyone else backs out..

 

[seremify007]

Seeing that we're at the stage of PwC vs. EY vs. KPMG, the question which must be asked then is what area do you want to work in? (assuming all three firms are equal in every other respect which is material to your decision)

Some firms are clearly stronger in some areas than others, so if that helps you make a decision then use that. For example, EY and KPMG allow you to specialise in an industry sector immediately whilst PwC puts all trainees/graduates into a division called Base Camp whereby you work on clients from all areas rather than specialising. This has both positives and negatives obviously.

 

[seremify007]

hii there~~~~!!!!!
you guys r just amazing!!!!!
congratz

I really hope you didn't write like that in your application...!

 

[OMGITzJustin]

I really hope you didn't write like that in your application...!

+1 hahaha

but anyways, anyone heard back from grant thornton, boroughs or pitcher partners?

 

[CharlieB]

Before I start I will just say i have been stalking this forum for a few months now but just decided to register!

I have been lucky enough to recieve an offer from both EY and PwC for a cadetship position, however I am completely confused regarding which offer I should be accepting, in terms of remuneration both are almost identical (PwC slightly more) and in both I would be entering the Tax divisions. In EY i would be entering Private Client Services (most likely) or possible Human Capital and for PwC in the Specialist Tax department, possibly R&D or transfer pricing, but that is just an educated guess.

Would appreciate opinions/feedback regarding my dilemma, thanks in advance!

Well I suppose the EY building is in a more "city" location (I am in Melbourne) but that really isn't a huge factor either way, I loved the people from both firms, all friendly and could see myself working at either. I also had the feeling that EY may be more restrictive in terms of moving around internally, however there is the option to come back as a graduate instead of a consultant and do some rotation, but I rather wouldn't sacrifice the cadetship advantage and start out as a graduate. PwC seemed to be open for movement, but that's just how I felt after all the information nights/AC's.

So you can see how i am partially stuck haha!

Thanks for your response, as I mentioned earlier i think PwC offers the flexibilty to try a few different divisions if I want to, which I think is very important as i do have no experience what so ever. Both offers outline that I will be studying full time next year, then complete university on a part time basis during my second and third year and then complete my last year full time with the opportunity for casual work.

I suppose I wouldn't mind the tax side of private clients but I am thinking that specialist tax at PwC might give me a little more of a diverse/varied experience which may in fact help me decide what I want to work in later on. Either way though I am sure Tax is where I want to be working!

Is there a lot of difference between the "Senior Graduate" and "Consultant" title offered by Pwc and EY respectively?

Edit: also when they say the study grant is paid each month whilst you are studying, how many months is that exactly?

So it seems that your heart is set on tax - a couple of things you should think about.

1) PWC R&D - From what I've heard their on a hiring blitz for this division given the new legislation which kicked in on 1/7/12. They've also pushed forward a couple of grads to start in July. Looks like it's in high demand - but what about exit ops (quite a narrow field)? Will this demand remain constant? What will happen if they repeal the legislation?

EY PC - Very narrow field. Working with SME's, high net worth individuals/families doing basic consulting/tax returns. Again - think about exit op's? Will this experience allow you to move into Corporate Tax? (My knowledge of PC is limited - read more on the whirlpool forums).

2) Take what PWC said about transferring with a grain of salt. They will say anything to get you to sign on the dotted line. The reality is - moving around a firm/divisions is not easy. You need to be experienced/talented/connected.

Hey all,

LOL so i don't have the dilemma of choosing between EY and PwC; rather, I currently face the dilemma of having to choose between KPMG (audit) and PwC (assurance - same thing lol). I thoroughly and equally enjoyed the working environments at both firms. Quite overwhelmed right now and I'm not too sure which way I should go with this.

I'll have to turn to you BOSers to provide some insight into both companies to allow me to make an informed decision. So, any advice? Insights?

Both are great choices - you've done well. PWC is very strong in audit. Cadet retention seems pretty good (compared to other firms). Although, be wary of base camp. Seems like a mess.

 

[smdd]

Hey, i'd just like to let you all know that PKF has sent out their offers.

 

[DR11]

Had a few offers lined up and have decided to take EY Tax

 

[Jekks]

Hey everyone,
Thanks for the thread, it's been really helpful.
I've got my assessment centre for KPMG on tomorrow! It's in IT Advisory.
Could anyone be able to give me some help for what to really expect (especially for the written exercise)?
Thank you!