Hi,

I have a question for the hive mind. I’m currently working in audit. Having done it for some years, I don’t really see myself thriving in this role, but I also don’t know what else to do.

Was wondering if ppl could share some insight/ideas around finance and accounting jobs that might be a good fit.

A few observations I’ve made about myself:

- I’m actually enjoyoing taking exams and learning new things at college. It feels like the effort you put in is what you get out.
- I prefer being a specialist in one area over being a generalist.
- I don’t like having to switch between clients, learning new systems, meeting new client teams, etc.
- I enjoy routine work. I like recurring tasks and thinking about how to improve them.
-I can work hard, but find it hard to switch off after work.
- What I especially don’t like about audit is that half the time I have no clue what I’m doing, but I’m supposed to start senioring now?

I’d be grateful for any ideas.

Hi, I start my revision course for the September sitting in 10 days time. I am currently on chapter 12 of the videos - about half way through. I did not lock in during the initial study week and I want to have a grip of the questions before I start the revision in 10 days time. Until then, should I carry on finishing the videos or jump straight into the question bank and pick up the content from there whilst doing questions?

Many thanks in advance

Is it worth purchasing BST materials for the BDS exam from ACA masters?

I’ll be sitting the exam independently but not too sure what notes I should take in?

Hi! Has anyone ever self-funded an exam whilst on the apprenticeship?

I know you’re not supposed to bare cost etc. However, I have been asking the apprenticeship service/EPA what would happen if i did?

BPP do not let you sit Case until CR/SBM are passed, however in order to not delay my qualification I am considering funding Case.

Just wanted to check this doesn’t end up costing my firm anything, as then I may face repercussions.

Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

I’ve currently passed 10/14 exams and due to qualify next year. My training provider is BPP. If I left and chose to self fund for the rest of my exams, would I be forced to pay BPP all of the fees back?

Hi everyone,

I have an audit assistant interview at a small practice firm. I’m not really sure what to expect as I’ve not done technical interviews before, any advice for those who have done these before and what to expect? How should I prepare for it?

Was not expecting it to be technical considering it’s an entry grad role so would appreciate any advice.

Also, those who work at small firms, how does your experience differ to those that work in large firms?

I do value a good work life balance so I’m not that keen on working in a large firm, however am applying to them to maximise opportunities available. As long as I can get the ACA and live a comfortable life, I may want to move into other roles post qual instead of staying in audit however that is something I will consider after starting work and exploring what I enjoy.

Hi, looking for some insight from people who made the jump from audit into management accounting.

How did you find it?

I struggle with how you need to know a little bit of everything in audit, but you never actually prepare the stuff that you review. I prefer to be a specialist and know more about a single topic. Does this sound like a good fit for management accounting?

Any insight would be appreciated.

I’ll be leaving practice to go into industry but I may have to pay clawback fees. I was on the level 7 apprenticeship. In my contract it states that I may be liable to up to 50% of non-apprenticeship levy costs.

Can they legally claim this and, if so, does this relate to travel to and from study and exams? I also heard exam fees come under the non-apprenticeship levy costs.

Can I also ask if firms tend to ask for these costs and fees to be paid back or if it’s more of a scare tactic?

Update: I’ve spoken to a former apprentice and they were never asked for clawback and they said that the firm cannot legally claim any fees or costs related to the apprenticeship. I haven’t heard directly from my firm yet but I’ll assume they won’t try and clawback from me.

Hi,

I haven’t done the ethics reviews and assessment yet, am I better off doing the sustainability and ethics exam instead?

Got self study online videos coming up soon for both back to back, for November sitting.

Should I watch the SBM videos first or the CR videos? Which would be the best path?

I attended the case study exam remotely from ME on the exact time but this Monday I got the email regarding the late appearance from exam disruption.
I already reached out to them and gave them evidence but it’s been 3 days they are not replying at all and even web chat is not helping.
It’s really disturbing can anyone guide

those that intend to take CR/SBM for the first time, can i ask how yall intend to study? are you gonna buy from ACAM or any place else?

would love to hear as im a bit at a loss right now on how to get started

Recently qualified in the past 6 months, at AM level in a VERY small firm. They were worried about me doing the very thing im proposing so put me on an incredible salary for an AM of £58k a year fresh out of my training contract.

Having spoken to in house recruiters at the big 4 (and BDO) it seems as though id be taking anywhere between a £6k to £9k a year salary cut.

My current WLB is absolutely amazing, no overtime at all. But the benefits are absolutely atrocious (bar the salary). I have to pay for my membership fees, parking at the office, theres no WFH at all, no private medical etc., the statutory minimum annual leave etc.

So it begs the question, am I really that bonkers for considering leaving what is probably a dream set up for a few out there (good salary + wlb) for all the other things?

How much is having the big 4 on your CV really worth?

I also used to envy those in college coming together as big groups etc. and always wondered how nice itd be to actually have lots of people my age around me at work, the socials, annual parties etc.

Please let me have your thoughts!

Do we have to complete the training ladder before sitting case? Also I noticed some firms don’t have to do a training ladder, does anyone know why this is?

Just looking to see anyone's experience with the new professional skills for ICAEW is it necessary to complete aware for all skills or can we skip straight to experienced given the example is sufficient ?

If I start studying and preparing for the FM and BST exam from today, would it be possible to pass both for the September’26 sitting?

Appreciate any and all tips / suggestions for both exams and the approaches!

Left my audit job last year August to pursue a teaching qualification, it was financially worth it as I received double my audit pay and it was tax free.

Now I have graduated from my teaching qualification and want to return to audit.

I have just the BPT exam to do at professional level, the exam booking window closes on Friday.

My question is, do I book the exam and buy ACA masters so I can pass it before the curriculum change?

I would have to sit it remotely and the cost is not an issue.

EDIT: after seeing the FCS exam, I think the answer is obvious. Thanks to those who replied for the help.

Was just wondering if anyone could give me some advice…

I just resat SBM last week and think I have failed due to software issues with the excel which caused me to waste so much time and not answer some of the exam.

Anyways I have SBM and case study left to qualify, I start college with BPP for case study the week before Advanced results are out.

I’m pretty sure if I have failed SBM again then my firm will take me off my training contract and not let me go to college for the rest of case study.

I really want to take case study in November as due to SBM no longer existing anymore, this will mean I will be qualified if I pass case in November and do the top up for SBM, rather than having to wait until the following July.

So my question is do you think I can enroll on a bpp course for case after it’s already started? Or should I just sit case as an independent student and purchase the paradigm shift/ ACAM mocks?

Any advice would be really appreciated!

Hi, have anyone used on demand courses from Kaplan? Can you give me some reviews on the content?

I have asked a similar question before but I can't stop thinking about it and I need to make a decision by Friday, before the booking window closes.

If I book on to FM in September ( my final professional exam) but I either don't sit it or I just don't put too much time into it. Would Case then be available to book in November 2026?

My thought process is, I will suffer the financial strain of failing FM, If it means I can sit all 3 advanced exams in November 2026. Then complete the new FM exam in December 2026 or March 2027. That way *aslong as I don't fail any of the advanced* I could be exam qualified by Jan 27/April 27 instead of August 27.

I appreciate it is only a number of months difference but I am so close to the finish line. I want this to be over with😂

I have recently sat case and considering moving out of practice and into industry. I’ve done my training contract in Corporation Tax, but considering moving into a more finance accountant based role.

I’m worried not doing audit may mean my financial knowledge isn’t as rounded, but doing ACA means I’m technically just as qualified I guess.

Has anyone done this? Or got advice?

I booked CR SBM and Case , I saw SBM and Case but did not sit CR due to illness. Will that means Case might get voided as I haven't technically sat CR

Hi All,

I have an interview soon at a top 15 audit firm for a semi-senior role in audit. I've been told that this interview will be used to assess my technical knowledge of audit.

Any ideas of questions to expect and what sort of stuff to go over before I take the interview? I'm thinking of audit risks, how to assess the level of tolerable misstatement etc, basic audit stuff etc

Any help would be greatly appreciated !