Job hunting decisions and tips
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How do I get a graduate job in accountancy and financial management?
Everything you need to know about graduate jobs with accountancy firms, financial management employers and related organisations. Whether you want to know about professional qualifications, or which areas you could work in, you can find answers to key questions here.
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Which accountancy specialisation should you choose?
Can you practise discretion and build good working relationships based on trust? Perhaps you should consider a career in tax. Or do you have the inquisitiveness and sound judgment of a detective? Forensics probably appeals. How do you decide which will suit you best?
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The top ten student FAQs about accountancy careers
Find out the answers to the top ten questions most commonly asked by students about graduate careers in accountancy.
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The Big 4: how well do you know them?
How well do you know Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC?
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Accountancy working hours: will I have a good work/life balance?
What will your work/life balance be like during your graduate accounting career? We consider how to balance work and study, how to handle flexible working arrangements, and what sorts of perks and incentives to expect.
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The best and worst reasons to do further study in accountancy and financial management
Will a postgraduate degree increase your chances of getting a job in accountancy or financial management?
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11 graduate areas of work in accountancy
Graduate jobs in accountancy are most definitely not just about adding up numbers and balancing spreadsheets. The range of graduate jobs available in this sector is large. Here’s a snapshot of 11 of the main areas of work in accountancy and financial management:
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Which type of accountancy firm has the best graduate jobs?
So much depends upon what you're looking for from a graduate job in accountancy and financial management, from the size and nature of the organisation to the study package on offer.
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Accountancy jargon: a graduate's guide to jobspeak
You'll feel confident in graduate job interviews if you've got to grips with accounting and financial management buzzwords.
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Which finance career would suit me?
Discover which sector of finance would best suit your graduate career.
Applications
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Accountancy career insights from former Guns N' Roses bassist
Former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan has a successful career in hard rock, and another in accountancy - communication skills are at the heart of both.
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The Big 4’s entry criteria and your graduate job application
All the Big 4 firms have made significant changes to their academic entry requirements in recent years, giving hope to students whose applications in previous years would not have got through initial screening. How will these changes affect your chances of getting employed by EY, Deloitte, KPMG or PwC?
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How to demonstrate your accountancy skills during the application process
When it comes to applying for accountancy jobs, possessing the competencies that are valued in the workplace is not enough. You need to be able to identify and demonstrate them throughout the application process.
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Online applications to accountancy firms: how to be the best graduate for the job
Welcome to the world of competence questionnaires, ability tests, personality profiles and online application forms for graduate jobs in accounting and financial management. We're here to explain it all to you.
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Accountancy job application advice for students, by graduates
We asked graduates working at Dixon Wilson, KPMG, PwC, Smith & Williamson and UHY Hacker Young four key questions about the application process. This is their advice for graduates applying for accountancy and financial management jobs.
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Commercial awareness: a key requirement for a graduate career in accounting
It's possibly the most sought-after skill by recruiters in the City, but what exactly is commercial awareness and how do you show an employer that you have it?
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Wanted: the skills accountancy recruiters are seeking. Reward: a top graduate job
Here are five of the top skills that will get you a graduate accountancy or financial management job.
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How savvy research will get you hired by an accountancy firm
What do you answer when a recruiter asks, 'Why do you want to work for us?'
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Pre-application checklist: read this before you apply to an accountancy firm
Before you start filling out your online application form to an accountancy or financial management firm, make sure you can put a big tick beside each item on our checklist.
Interviews and assessment centres
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Assessment centres: putting would-be accountants to the graduate test
Most accountancy and professional services firms use assessment centres to select the best graduates. Here's what happens and how you can tick the big box called 'impressing recruiters'.
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Four common interview questions for graduate jobs in accountancy and financial management
You can't know exactly what questions you're going to be asked in an interview for a graduate job in accountancy, but there are some common questions that you're likely to encounter.
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Interview tips for graduate accountants
Don't be fazed by graduate recruiters when you're interviewed for an accountancy or financial management job. Solid preparation can make all the difference.
Internships and placements
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What to expect as an intern at BDO
Emma Simpson is a junior tax associate at BDO. She studied chemistry at Durham University and is now studying towards CTA qualification. We asked Emma five key questions about her internship.
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Why you shouldn't panic if you haven't got an accountancy internship on your CV
Are you worried that you haven't done an accountancy internship, or managed to line one up? What that will mean for you future job prospects? Stephen Clarke, training manager at HW Fisher & Company, offers the following advice.
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Getting work experience in an accounting firm
An internship can be a first step towards a graduate job in accountancy. How and when should you apply for work experience and how do you make the most of it?
Pay and progression
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Accountancy salaries and benefits for graduates
The salary and benefits you can expect to receive as a graduate working in accounting
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Where can a graduate career in accountancy take me?
A graduate career in accountancy doesn’t have to mean working for a Big 4 or traditional accountancy firm – you might be surprised by how many doors you could open.
Training and qualification
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An introduction to professional accountancy bodies
Your graduate career will include working towards gaining your professional accountancy qualifications. Here's a summary of the main professional accountancy bodies in their own words.
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The graduate guide to qualifying as a professional accountant
Find out why qualifying as a professional accountant is so important and how to get those important letters after your name.
Working life
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How I got hired by Smith & Williamson
Sophie Kelly is a trainee in business tax at Smith & Williamson. She graduated from Durham University with a degree in biology and chemistry.
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How I got hired by Grant Thornton
Richard Jones is an audit associate at Grant Thornton. He graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in accounting and finance.
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How I got hired by PwC
Haydn is an assurance associate at PwC. He studied accounting and finance at the University of Leeds.
Job descriptions
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Accountant: job description
Accountants are employed by organisations or private clients to audit accounts, provide financial advice and undertake accounts administration.
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Corporate treasurer: job description
Corporate treasurers undertake a range of risk, strategic and/or general financial management activities that enable companies to maintain or improve/maximise their financial position.
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Accounting technician: job description
Accounting technicians work for both private and public sector organisations, where they undertake a wide range of accountancy, financial and taxation tasks.
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Tax inspector: job description
Tax inspectors calculate the tax liability of businesses and individuals, check tax returns and identify tax evasion.
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Auditor: job description
Auditors perform (internal) financial and risk management audits and independent statutory (external) financial audits of commercial and public sector organisations.
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Financial manager: job description
Financial managers work within the public and private sector where they are responsible for providing financial advice and undertaking related accounts administration.
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Management accountant: job description
Management accountants aid managerial planning and commercial decision-making tasks by providing appropriate financial information and undertaking related accounts administration.
