Any accountant/auditor in the house? I was wondering what you guys think of CFE, CISA, CIA, FCPA certifications. Are these jobs well paid? I will start working with a big 4 firm next year. As of now my plan is to get a few years experience with the firm which should help me get a good job in any industry. I don’t think I will be able to stay with the firm for long. It takes a special kind of person to devote 12-14 hrs a day 5 days a week (sometimes 7 days) to do this kind of work. That’s not me. All I know is I won’t stay for too long… but the longer I stay the better my chances of landing a new job (a well paid job that is), big 4 experience will be invaluable. So I have been thinking about CFE and CISA certifications in particular as alternatives. Perhaps with 4-5 years experience in AERS I will make a good fraud examiner. According to my instructor who is also a CFE, it’s a pretty hot field. What other options do I have? What would you guys advise me?
Re: Accountants/Auditors
IMO spend some time in audit first to get a good understanding of financial reporting etc. Then venture off to fraud etc That will a lot more doors open for you. Also from what ive heard deloitte is a good firm - u will have ample oppourtunity to learn.
Re: Accountants/Auditors
Thanks for your response lussi. I will definitely spend 4-5 years with the firm. Just the other day I was talking with a KPMG senior (AERS) who is working 80-90 hours a week! And so I imagined myself working that many hours and wondered what kind of life I would be living. As another friend of mine who works for KPMG consulting rightly said "dude you have to be a fking introvert to do that kind of a job" :(
And yeah Deloitte is a great firm to work for, it's also the 2nd largest in terms of annual revenue right behind PWC.
Re: Accountants/Auditors
it's going to be a rough life...whether it's worth it or not..thats just ur personal call..though u wont always be working 80/90 hours during busy season..depends on the client/offices..if its a fortune 100 client with multiple restatements or an IPO and you're in a small office with only 5 people on the engagement, then yeah it most probably will be a lot of hours. On the other hand, you might be working a little over 50 hrs/week. So again just depends on your client/office.
Re: Accountants/Auditors
I worked 8 years with PwC, and am now with another Global 8 accounting firm. There are several things which I will like to point out.
I agree with lussi that initially it will be good to have some basic audit experience. Building on to that with fraud, IT, consultancy, risk advisory etc will be much better than just diving right into one of the specializations. By doing basic audits you will understand fundamentals as well as get exposed to various buisness and managements.
Secondly, working hours. Initially in all Big-4 you work extra-ordinary hours. However, as you progress through the career ladder, the amount of hours you work are more dependant on your personality and work ethics. I have seen Managers/Senior Managers/Partner who do put in an insane number of hours, but there are many who develop a much more productive work-life balance at that stage.
Big-4 is good from a resume stand point. All of them have good systems to groom young staff. But once you have several years of experience with them, its not necessary to stick with them, even if you intend to stay in public accountancy. Majority leave for industry jobs as they tend to be more lucrative in terms of money.
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I have nothing to say in this thread than advise. Accounting, as a profession, requires just practise.
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lussi that KPMG guy IS working on restatements perhaps that's why he spending long hours, Thanks Faisal for your feedback and SuperMe thanks for your advice as well.
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My advice is just ordinary which everybody knows. Technically, Accounting is not hard and if someone wants to be accountant, that person can accomplish by practising it. Usually it is boredom which some people feel lack of interest. But once people start knowing things deeply, they gain enthusiasm.
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Im just starting my acca, ive done my degree in a different field but now and I wanna be a CA. Do you people have any tips for me as a beginner?
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There is no other tip than practise.
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My exp as well - although I’ve only been in the field roughly 4 years.
Which PWC faisal bhai?
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price water house cooper
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Okay do you ahve to be a real idiot to not understand and do accounting?? 
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Pakistan and Singapore.
Sara516.... say again?
Re: Accountants/Auditors
Sara, it doesn't make you an idiot if you don't get it or like it. Many of these accountants won't like chemistry or they might have issues with the subject but obviously that won't make them dumb or idiot.