Should I turn down a job offer or wait to interview for another role?

Anonymous wrote:

Hi,

I have recently been offered an ACA training contract at a top 50 accountancy firm, and will be working on not-for-profit audit where this firm is pretty specialist and have clients ranging from large, well-known, international aid agencies down to smaller religious orders. At the same time I also have a final interview for an ACA trainee role at a top 5 accountancy firm based regionally (unlike the previous role which is based in London).

My problem is that I have decide whether or not to take the first role before I have the opportunity to go to the latter final interview. First of all do you think its sensible in this current economic climate to turn down the first role for the interview at the latter role, even though it is possible I may not get the job, and I would be quite happy training at the first firm. My only fear in taking the first role is for the longevity of my CV; or is this thought ridiculous. And secondly given that I get 1st time passes in my ACA, and with my current academics of having a 2:1 undergraduate masters of science in a physical science subject from a top 5 UK university, A-levels of 320 UCAS points, and non-financial work experience at a FTSE 100 company; would my work experience in not-for-profit audit hinder one of my possible aspirations of moving into a commercial/industry role as a business analyst/financial controller after qualification. I was thinking specifically on the latter note, that a move to the big 4 after qualification might help with these objectives, are upwards moves like this feasible with work experience from the first role.

Many Thanks


A consultant at WH Marks Sattin replied:

I think in the current market it is not advisable to turn jobs down. If at all possible try and drag out the process a little bit with the first firm and inform the Big 4 company about your situation and see if they can bring the meeting forward. Until the contract is signed you can still change your mind.

Normally it is quite easy as long as you have first time passes to move from a smaller firm to a Big 4 environment or even a top 7 firm will still give you access to the larger firms. At the moment it is a bit tough but in three years time these moves should be easy to do again.

All the best regardless of which decision you make

WH Marks Sattin


Click to see our latest practice accountancy jobs