Business Advisor

How I found this job:
Good job with a structured career path. Excellent opportunities to work with some of Ireland's biggest companies. Varied work, ample time off to study for accountancy exams.
Bad points - low(ish) starting salary, bureaucratic org.

Training provision in this company:
Employees can train in tax or accountancy exams (although if you make a case for other courses you may also get them too). Exam/course fees paid for by company. Ample study time given (for tax & accountancy exams only).

Career development / progression in this company:
Structured career development:
Year 1 - Junior
Year 2 - Semi-senior
Year 3 - Senior
Year 4/5 - Manager (depending on opportunities.

Most important skills and knowledge I use in my job:

• Time Management.
• Communication.
• Project Management .
• Report Writing.
• Client facing skills.
• Researching skills.
• Technical IT/accountancy skills.
• Presentation skills.

Most interesting part of my work:

• Varied project type work.
• Travel opportunities
• Meeting new clients.
• Working on cross-departmental teams.
• Meeting challenging deadlines.
• Working with other young graduates.

Most challenging part of my work:

• Long hours (the better you are the more hours you do).
• Multi-tasking / many projects on the go at the same time.
• Internal bureaucracy.

Advice for current TCD students entering the employment market:
Do as many interviews as possible. Get as many offers as possible. Don't just take the first job you are offered. Look at all the pros/cons of the jobs you get offered (salary, holidays, study opportunities etc) and pick the one that suits you best.

Trainee Chartered Accountant

How I found this job:
I completed the milkround applications for all the Big 5 accountancy firms when I was in my final year in Trinity. I went through 2 interviews and was offered a place which I accepted and then started work in October 2001.

Training provision in this company:
I am a trainee chartered accountant. So I have been studying with the Institute of Chartered Accountants while working in PwC. I have completed Prof 2, Prof 3 and will be sitting my Final Admittance exams in September 2004. It is a training contract and it runs for 3.5 years. Once I get my FAE (Exam) I will be qualified.

Career development / progression in this company:
From being an audit team member when I started I have now progressed to leading audits under the supervision of senior management. I have been training in the audit department of PwC throughout.

Most important skills and knowledge I use in my job:
The audit and accountancy exams which I have been studying for contain the main body of knowledge that I use on the job. Knowledge of audit standards, and financial accountancy reporting standards apply to all audits. Also good communication and interpersonal skills are developed especially when training staff below and when receiving training.

Most interesting part of my work:
Working in many different companies in the IFSC and seeing how each company operates. I also like the people that I work with and deal with in the companies I audit, and in PwC. They are all young and good fun.

Most challenging part of my work:
Busy season is from November to April and can be quite demanding on time. Long working hours to meet deadlines are the norm and managing other people can be quite a challenge.

Advice for current TCD students entering the employment market:
Entering into a training contract in PwC or any of the accountancy firms is a great opportunity to meet lots of great people, learn a lot about other companies. Experience can be gained in many different areas of Business. I would recommend it highly as a great way to start into business and it opens up a lot of opportunities once qualified.

Trainee Accountant

How I found this job:
Through the Milkround.

Training provision in this company:
Training as chartered accountant. 3 years of exams.

Career development / progression in this company:
Progression from an audit assistant to audit senior. High levels of responsibility and supervision and guidance of junior members of staff.

Most important skills and knowledge I use in my job:
General business knowledge, accounting knowledge, computer skills, professionalism.

Most interesting part of my work:
Work on a varied number of clients. New challenges arising with each audit job.

Most challenging part of my work:
Time restraints / meeting of deadlines. Ability to pass exams and apply technical knowledge to the workplace.

Advice for current TCD students entering the employment market:
A high average grade as well as extra curricular activities are essential.

Trainee Accountant

How I found this job:
I wanted to work in one of the big four accounting firms, so I downloaded an application form from the Ernst & Young website.

Training provision in this company:
Excellent training provided, both upon starting the job and regularly throughout your training contract. Training provided in the core skills required to do our jobs as well as in 'soft' skills, such as Building Personal Effectiveness and Building Professional Effectiveness.

Most important skills and knowledge I use in my job:
Teamwork, ability to learn quickly through on the job experience, good organisational skills.

Most interesting part of my work:
I work in Financial Services Audit, so most of my work involves the audit of Hedge Funds and Banks. It has been interesting to gain an understanding into how the Financial Services market in Ireland is developing.

Most challenging part of my work:
The most challenging part of my job is combining the demands of the job with studying to pass my professional accounting exams. It is certainly possible to balance these two but it does require a bit of planning!

Advice for current TCD students entering the employment market:
Do not let your under/post graduate degree limit the areas you feel you can work in. I have a Music Degree and Masters and I don't think my lack of business education has proved to be a significant disadvantage.

When applying for jobs be very clear on the areas that you wish (or don't wish) to work in. If considering entering into an accounting training contract with a Big 4 firm, be clear when you apply whether you want training in Financial Services or Industry. It is important to look at what experience the firm will provide you with and decide if this is the direction that you wish your career to move in.

I can certainly recommend EY as a place to work. For me, it provides the challenges I am looking for from my job.

Tax Trainee

How I found this job:
Initially I found out about working in Ernst & Young on the internet, I applied for an internship position and after I had completed it I was offered a training contract.

Training provision in this company:
The company provides a lot of training for its employees

Most important skills and knowledge I use in my job:
Time-management is essential, plus an attention to detail. Knowledge in the area of accounting is very important also.

Most interesting part of my work:
The area of tax planning and how to solve problems and money for clients is one interesting part of a career in tax. I am only a trainee at the moment however so I'll be doing this in the future!

Most challenging part of my work:
Trying to combine studying for exams while working full-time is certainly a challenge. Although we are given study leave coming up to our exams it is tough to go to lectures as well as carry out a week at work.

Advice for current TCD students entering the employment market:
Make sure to research your career thoroughly and ask people who are working in the area.