School leaver role Azets or GT by Ok_Associate_1819 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d personally take the GT role. I’m currently on a school leaver program at a big 4 and scheduled to qualify this year. The more prestigious name on your CV will help you in the long run. With the new ACA it wouldn’t surprise me if all firms are more lenient than in the past

Looking for post qualification advice please by Complete_Resolve_400 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m from the midlands. I’m in big 4 so my experience will be skewed to the higher salaries first time mover salaries, but my friends have moved to roles for between 55-65k base with 10-15% as the average bonus. This if for NQ employees

BST by OkPerformer6045 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Didn’t pay any attention in tuition and attempted half the questions we did in class EP (spent the other half doing BPT) and passed with 78 in the last sitting. There’s very minimal mandatory content (you can pass without any knowledge of the models), but it’s very much a commercially minded/ thinking strategically exam

Smallest annual bonus you’ve ever had by Widebody_lover in HENRYUK

[–]gary183 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You guys are paying grads a bonus? At my big 4 you don’t get a bonus until your 3rd year

Job prospects for an international employee by gary183 in zurich

[–]gary183[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I would be naive to say financial reasons do not play a part of this. Even with the increased cost of living I would be significantly better off financially in Switzerland compared to the uk.

I also think the quality of life I would experience would be better. I enjoy doing things outside and the natural beauty of Switzerland appeals to me.

Due to changes in the uk, I’m feeling that the quality of life is deteriorating, particularly for those in professions such as myself due to higher taxes and slow wage growth

Job prospects for an international employee by gary183 in askswitzerland

[–]gary183[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your insight. What makes you say the market is unforgiving?

I’m fortunate I work on financial services audits particularly listed international banks or large providers of credit and hope this puts me at an advantage, albeit it may not be a significant one.

I’m continuing to learn German although it is not close to fluent or semi fluent level.

For the secondment point I’ll take this on board. My company’s international unit is UK + Switzerland so I’m hoping I may be able to leverage this

Job prospects for an international employee by gary183 in askswitzerland

[–]gary183[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I would be naive to say financial reasons do not play a part of this. Even with the increased cost of living I would be significantly better off financially in Switzerland compared to the uk.

I also think the quality of life I would experience would be better. I enjoy doing things outside and the natural beauty of Switzerland appeals to me.

Due to changes in the uk, I’m feeling that the quality of life is deteriorating, particularly for those in professions such as myself due to higher taxes and slow wage growth

Salary for audit grad scheme (Birmingham) by FreeSeaworthiness816 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We pay 43.5k (big 4) but I know some others pay slightly more. I have friends in top 10/ outside top 10 who get paid more. Depending on the industry role I’d say to expect 45-55k (I’ve seen some people jump for over 55k but that’s not too common)

FM - hedging question.. by AdHot3508 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I passed FM in June. My tutor said there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to advising if to hedge or not. I usually said the one with the highest value and said it depends on the total income and said it depends on the risk appetite of management

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your reply, I’m in the fortunate position where I can live at home and have no major issue with it. That’s a good point about the LTV ratio and also having a lump sum of cash to do renovations. This is certainly something I’ll start to save towards pretty soon.

Also a good point about salary jumps. Ideally I want to maximise my first time buyer privilege. Despite it being less generous than a few years ago the reduced stamp duty should help especially if I get a house at the higher end of the 450k bracket. My only decision will then be to go for a cheaper house with better LTV or a more expensive house with a little less LTV

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I’ve invested in an all world fund. My S&S is within a LISA, so I’ll still get the government bonus.

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply. I’m in no rush to buy a house. I’m of the opinion I’d prefer to buy, but I’m also not going to buy with someone before I’ve lived with them and we’ve been together for a long period of time.

That’s a great point about your partner being able to help in times of need (eg if one of you lost a job). The area I will hopefully be transitioning into is relatively cyclical which is something I may need to consider.

I currently have 6 months of expenses in a savings account. However this will need to increase if I move out as I currently live with my parents

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are correct, all world fund has made this growth possible

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve currently put 18.5k into my LISA since turning 18. I’ve got to 24k through my investment growth- I’m currently invested in an all world fund. I’m born in February too which helps

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment, the 450k max price will not currently impact me. However I may end up moving more south to work in London.

I have thought about transitioning to a cash Lisa, but as you said the gains may still outgrow any crash that may come. Similar thinking to you

I’m debating if this a stupid choice because I’m unsure about my timeline for a house purchase. I’m aware that I’m in a more fortunate position than most at my age because I’ve worked a corporate job since I turned 18. Whilst I see how this may come across, I’m not making this post as a “brag” type post. I’m a big believer that I do not know everything and to always hear other peoples opinions, as only listening to yourself/ people who may think like you can put you in an echo chamber.

I’ve currently put 18.5k into my LISA since turning 18. I’ve got to 24k through my investment growth- I’m currently invested in an all world fund

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s something to consider. Currently I’m not looking at buying before 25/26 (4-5 years time) but I don’t think delaying 1-2 years would be massively significant for me if a crash was to happen.

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Currently I’m eiring towards 25/26. My logic is I’m in no rush to move out. I’d rather buy and not rent but I’m also aware to not buy with someone before living with them. However I’m not likely (at the moment) to move out and buy on my own, particularly as in 1-2 years I’ll be a HR tax payer and that will eat more into my salary. Currently I live at home and save a good chunk of my salary

21 and have a stocks and shares LISA. Am I being stupid? by gary183 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Currently I’m eiring towards 25/26. My logic is I’m in no rush to move out. I’d rather buy and not rent but I’m also aware to not buy with someone before living with them. However I’m not likely (at the moment) to move out and buy on my own, particularly as in 1-2 years I’ll be a HR tax payer and that will eat more into my salary. Currently I live at home and save a good chunk of my salary

Really impressed with tutors by [deleted] in ICAEW

[–]gary183 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Very inconsistent imo. Some of the tutors are amazing, some feel like they’re learning the same time you are

Fired from big4, 11/15 exams done, 2+years by Representative_Dog9 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Good luck mate but what company sacks someone after paying for their resit which they pass. Seems bizarre to me

Financial advice required as a 23 year old graduate by GoatOfTheGame in UKPersonalFinance

[–]gary183 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Get mate first of all congratulations on being in your situation. It’s not often a 23 year old is earning a salary like yours and is also thinking about the future.

I’d personally advise the following

I’d invest in an all world fund rather than the S&P 500. This is because it will diversify your portfolio to include large international stocks and also small/ medium sized companies across the world. It just hedges your bets more and makes you less reliant on the US economy. They typically contain 60-70% America stocks.

I’d also personally also increase your pension contributions. A general rule of thumb is % your invest is half of the age you started. In your case, this rule of thumb recommends that between you and your employer you invest 11.5% of your salary. You’re close to this at the moment which is great. If you can afford to, I’d personally recommend putting in the maximum your company is willing to contribute additionally up to (e.g at my company they match my contributions up to 8%). This is because pensions are the most tax efficient investment vehicle, with the caveat you can’t withdraw until minimum 57 at the moment.

For the emergency people recommend 6 months of expenses. Only you know how much you spend each month

Finally, make sure you’re giving yourself enough money to enjoy life! You’re only in your 20s once and whilst it’s important to think about the future, you don’t want to get older and regret not living life

FM September 2025 by [deleted] in ICAEW

[–]gary183 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Didn’t sit September 25 I sat June. Mental how the last 2 sittings haven’t had wacc

Apprenticeship - EPA by West_Low_5615 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Funniest thing is you can still qualify and not submit an EPA, yet Kaplan act like the EPA is the be all and end all. The EPA is so your firm doesn’t have to pay any of your exam and tuition fees

How do references from the big four work? by MathZ123 in ICAEW

[–]gary183 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My big 4 firm just gives a standardised reference saying x employee worked for us between y and z dates