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A big decision that any aspiring CA faces is deciding where to complete their three year training contract. There are so many options, making it a difficult and sometimes overwhelming decision. Here are some considerations to take into account when making your decision:
Don’t let ego drive your decision
In the audit, finance and banking industry there is a sense of ‘snobbery’ amongst professionals according to the ‘names’ of the industry. Don’t let a big name be your ultimate determining factor when looking at different firms. Every single firm has its ups and downs. No firm is perfect and just because a firm is a ‘big’ name doesn’t mean you won’t face obstacles or that these obstacles would be less. You need to look at a firm that is the best fit for you.
Determine your corporate personality
This might sound strange but I feel it is an exceptionally important consideration. You need to consider what your personality type is and how you will fit in at a company.
If you are an individual who requires a very set structure with an extremely professional environment as well as set responsibilities with predetermined expectations of your professional growth (stage by stage and year by year), you would potentially be a great fit for a big four firm.
If you rather prefer feeling like you are part of a family where the firm has a more intimate environment and everyone knows your name, as well as being willing to carry more responsibilities than the average first or second year trainee at other firms, then you should consider your smaller firms.
If you are reading the above and feel you are a combination of those personalities then you should consider a medium sized firm.
Consider audit versus finance
Look at the difference between completing your training contract at an audit firm or a bank. Then you can determine if you would prefer being an audit clerk or whether you would prefer having a training contract with a financial focus at a bank. It is important to know the difference before you make this decision so that you don’t spend three years feeling you should be somewhere else.
Be informed
Know your industry, know prominent people in the industry and educate yourself on the different firms within the industry. Research considerations such as the degree of experience you would gain during your training contract, the level of salary offered, past employee reviews on a firm and their trainee programme or any achievements that the firm may have attained.
It is an important decision that needs careful consideration as you want to spend your traineeship having a ball of a time after the hard slog of achieving the much coveted CTA.
Kirsten Viljoen
Trainee Accountant, Johannesburg
