Job confusion, advice needed

ausmanpk2001 · 12-16-2008, 02:00 AM

Hi I'm ACCA student with some internship experience in telecom sector.

I'm getting offer from one of the telecom giants in pakistan in internal audit or finance.

I also have the option of joining some small firm and then later try moving on to some big4 after an year when I pass knowledge level (Part 2).

As I'm a Knowledge level (Part 2) student no big firm is willing to hire me until completing knowledge level (Part 2).

My problem is what option to choose. I'm really confused. Money is not an issue at this time for me. I want to make the choice which is best for my career in the long term.

One of my friend said that you'll get good pay in the beginning in mobile company but you'll come to a stop in your career progression after some time. And that you'll get less salary in firm but you'll progress very fast after completing your articles. Is this true?

Also I plan to try moving to middle east after completing my ACCA because ACCA's can have better career progression over there.

Can anyone please give some advice. It would be really helpful. What decision would be best for my career progression in the long term & also helpful in moving to middle east (or having an excellent career over here)?

Also if I join the mobile company which department would be better internal audit/corporate accounting/treasury?

Regards

Usman

Saracen · 12-16-2008, 04:31 AM

salam...to answer your first concern first..in my point of view (which is solely my understanding of the environment here in Pakistan and Middle East) your chances of progression are much better if you choose some audit firm over this job offer..as u said money is not a problem for you then u shud go for a career that is more rewarding over long term...if u wanna go to Middle East or abroad then the safest choice is External audit...I am not saying that other finance professionals dont move to ME..I am just saying that the number of audit personnel going abroad is far above than the corporate finance or the internal audit persons...one simple reason..audit is global due to ISAs (International Standards on Auditing)...However if u want to stay in Pakistan and are definite sure that u will seek your career in treasury only then goto this company..one last thing.it is never a safe move to start your career with Internal Audit.so rule that out...hope I was of some help....

ausmanpk2001 · 12-16-2008, 05:42 AM

Saracen, Thankyou very much for the detailed & quick reply.

Just out of curiosity; why is it not a safe move to start career with Internal Audit?

seesamad · 12-16-2008, 09:07 AM

Hello AusmanPK2001 ! I advise you to qualify your ACCA alongwith articles . You should have atleast 3 yrs of articles after professional qualification and doors of the world will be opened for you no matter its a telecom sector or else. As far as internal audits are concerned per me its good to go with and there is no harm to start career as IA . IA persons usually have more knowledge of operations so dominates,i believe the world is very big if you feel you are getting bored with internal audits you may easily move yourself in finance related assignments in same org. or else where.

I further advise you to not go for short-term benefit(telco job) and go for longterm benefits(articles / practice in public accountancy firm)
All the best , Abdul !

unseendemon · 12-16-2008, 09:59 AM

Firms are always preferable. You will get some on-job training if you start off with a job but its nothing compared to the learning you'll have while working in a firm.

Whether you intend to remain in practice or not, a firm would be a better option.

ausmanpk2001 · 12-16-2008, 10:42 AM

Seesamad, Thank you very much for the reply.

ausmanpk2001 · 12-16-2008, 10:44 AM

Unseendemon, Thank you very much for your reply.

ausmanpk2001 · 12-16-2008, 10:49 AM

Another thought...

What about accepting the offer of mobile company & working there until I pass knowledge level-Part 2(this may take up to an year) & then move onto a big firm?

At this stage only small firms are willing to hire me (from what I've gathered by visiting/contacting many firms).

Wouldn't it be better to have experience in a large telecom company rather than a small CA firm until I pass enough papers to get hired by one of the big firms?

I'm confused. What do you say?

hanifasif · 12-16-2008, 01:13 PM

Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia is good with atleast ACCA Part II. This is the hiring season in all big 4. Next time you should try in April 2009 but you need to be here to get in Big 4. All i can say is that life here is much much better for ACCAs (earning wise) than it can ever be in Pakistan. Mind it once you are here then there is no way back. I mean once you get settled here but after a couple of years you decide to go back to Pak for good, then pal you will have to start from scratch. ME, especially Saudi Exp is considered just trash in Pak.

Think a lot before taking any step, any wrong move will ruin your professional life. Just think long term.

All the best bro.

ausmanpk2001 · 12-16-2008, 02:29 PM

Hanifasif, Thank you very much for answering my question.

Would you be kind enough to answer few more questions?

1- Should I accept the giant telecom company in Pakistan's offer & complete my ACCA practical experience with them? What would be my standing in the Saudi/ME big4 or telecom market in case of having completed full or partial period of training in telecom sector?

2- Do big4 in SA pay enough after Part II to cover living expenses & save some money?

4- Can I apply online or do I have to be physically present there? And what about the job visa requirements?

I really appreciate that you took time to answer my queries.

hanifasif · 12-16-2008, 05:01 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ausmanpk2001
 
1- Should I accept the giant telecom company in Pakistan's offer & complete my ACCA practical experience with them? What would be my standing in the Saudi/ME big4 or telecom market in case of having completed full or partial period of training in telecom sector?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Well cant say anything about that.

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ausmanpk2001
 
2- Do big4 in SA pay enough after Part II to cover living expenses & save some money?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

yeah they pay pretty well in Saudia, you can save too.

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ausmanpk2001
 
4- Can I apply online or do I have to be physically present there? And what about the job visa requirements?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

you have to be physically present. Accountants visas are banned so you will have to buy your own visa and then get the occupation (Mehna) changed once you are in. EY and KPMG (Deloitte too) would do the rest once you are hired even with a fisherman visa. my occupation was electrician Wink

and I got the jobs and even signed the employment contracts with both EY and KPMG but could not join them coz of some personal reasons. my friend who was on a motor-mechanic visa is in deloitte and doing amazingly well. so visa is no issue once you are in Big 4.

kamranACA · 12-16-2008, 10:03 PM

Dear,

I have just seen your message in my e-mail inbox.

All the above suggestions are good and are reflective of personal experiences and understanding. Mine would also not be different than what I have deduced from my own exposure.

First of all I would never recommend you to think for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan etc. Although Saudi Arabia is better than others in the list, still, it should be least preferred. The reasons you can sort out from Hanif's posts. The only good thing of Saudi Arabia is that it is cost effective when compared to UAE etc.

In ME, you may have good options (for job) like UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman etc. At least you will not be bound to enter using fisherman's visa.

Now coming specifically to your query, I would like to mention that regardless of your exclamation of having least interest in money, you seem to have some inclination to telecom opportunity for such attributes. I may be wrong but to me, honestly speaking, the things strike badly. It's not bad in fact, so you can reconsider the things altogether.

Ignoring this factor I advise you to decide about what you want to do in the long-run. Do you want to choose a long route and become a very polished professional at the end or you simply want to do with some recognized qualification and get into job giving some reasonable returns. In both cases results could be good or bad. At the end of the day every thing depends upon your modesty, hard work, capability, capacity, intention to absorb more and inquisitiveness in acquisition of knowledge and exposure. Luck remains an important factor all the times as well. This is very delicate matter and all the responsibility of making the decision rests on your shoulders. I must advise you not to follow any one's specific opinion including mine. Think with your own mind after taking comments from others.

Depending upon the circumstances, had I been at your place, I would have choose to stay at home until the time I get knowledge level and then made my best efforts to join big 4. Had it been likely to be unachievable, I might have opted for the next good firms in the row. On completion of training required by ACCA and the training required to make me a good professional, I might have left for UAE or UK. Of course ACCA is not a good (rewarding) qualification within the boundaries of Pakistan.

Now you have to decide what you want to choose for yourself.

Finance is the best option. Then comes the Accounting and then Internal Audit or else.

Regards,

KAMRAN.

Pracs · 12-17-2008, 08:55 AM

Usman

Got your message on another forum, hope I can help, here are my two cents

I think I agree with Kamran, it could be my personal bias but I would prefer on chosing an audit firm myself, it will give you the depth and latitude about the profession in terms of getting a good controls background (audit) and accounting skills. Articles also provide you the opportunity of 'managing people' and actually getting Manager level experience in your third/fourth year.

An accounting internship might get you more money, but will restrict your exposure and provide no managerial experience at all. Even if your aim is to pursue a career in accounting/finance an articles in an audit firm will give you a head start (the price to pay is the tough 3 years with little monetary compensation) but is worth all its while. Despite the long hours and tough times an audit/accounting firm provides you with a better stimulus to 'compete' and pass your professional exams, plus its easier to get holidays for study etc.

Last but not least, if your aspirations are to move countries ie Middle east, UK, Australia etc. an accountancy background gives you an edge as accountancy firms are the major takers of expatriates in any country.

Of course, all of the above is my personal experience end of the day its hard work, qualification and dedication that will take you places in your career.. a spattering of luck as well so good luck with your decision

ausmanpk2001 · 12-17-2008, 01:21 PM

Thank you very much for the advice, KamranACA. You are right about my inclination towards the telecom opportunity.

Although, money is not an issue for me, still money has its attraction and I don't want to make any wrong decision on basis of that attraction.

ausmanpk2001 · 12-17-2008, 01:25 PM

Hi Pracs, Haven't seen you here on accountancy forum for quite some time; You haven't updated your blog either.

Thank you very much for the reply.