Whether You are an FAE student awaiting results in the months ahead or already a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) you will be glad to hear that the market has been improving since the start of the summer. A barometer for the current qualified CA market as a whole is that all of the Big 4 firms are seeking Audit, Tax and Corporate Finance professionals. They are working closely with experienced recruitment firms to find strong Auditors in particular, with large client experience either in the Financial Services, ICT or Industry areas.

Big 4 practice life may not be every Auditors ambition however it is certainly regarded as the pinnacle within the marketplace. To have a Big 4 branded employer on your CV will give you huge credibility and experience with Multinational clients. Bearing this in mind, let’s face it – it is the MNC’s and Global Financial Services organisations that are doing the lions share of the hiring outside practice at the moment.

Many Auditors are joining a Big 4 firm with the intention of getting the brand onto their CV and getting a bit of experience for a few years before going out into Industry. However with improving atmosphere and culture in many of the larger firms ‘Staff Retention’ has become a key focus. In fact, on a recent visit to one of my Big 4 clients an Audit partner highlighted that they have no problem with a CA joining them with the intention of only staying 18 months because the reality is “that it is up to the firm to invest in the individual and show them the benefits of remaining with the firm in the long term”.

Make sure you work closely with the right recruiter who has a strong relationship with the firm you are targeting and leverage that relationship to make sure your best foot goes forward.

If you think you have suitable experience, skills and acumen take on a new challenge with a Big 4…then contact Dave Riordan ACA dave.riordan@careers-register.com or 01 500 5904 who will review and confidentially discuss opportunities.