GENERAL
NEW GRADUATES
GENERAL
What opportunities does the Firm provide to upgrade the skills and knowledge of experienced staff?
Each individual staff member is continually monitored on the level of training that he or she receives. Apart from in-house courses, staff members are also sent for external courses from time to time.
Can I gain exposure in other service lines/departments?
Staff can be seconded to other service lines/departments for short periods to get a better understanding of the work they do. Transfers will be effected based on your experience and performance, as well as the needs of the service lines or department.
What support does the Firm provide for those who wish to gain membership to the Institute of Certified Accountants in Singapore (ICPAS)?
Staff will be given leave to attend the pre-admission course (five days). PwC also pays for the course and membership fees.
Is there a good social side to life at PricewaterhouseCoopers?
Definitely. We have a very active Sports Club which organises sporting events for all staff. Inter-firm and inter-office games provide a platform for staff to socialise and compete across levels and departments. Other social events include department bashes, Christmas parties and the Annual Dinner and Dance. Where PwC Building is located, you’ll also find convenient access to shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and fitness facilities.
NEW GRADUATES
What qualities are PricewaterhouseCoopers looking for?
We’re looking for people not only with intellect, motivation, enthusiasm and commitment but also confidence, maturity and creativity. A strong academic record, while important, is not the sole consideration.
How soon after joining will I be given responsibility?
Almost immediately. But don’t worry, you’ll not be left to your own devices. In Assurance, for the first couple of months, you will be attached to a team. You will be guided by a mentor, who will be with you on the field to advise and guide you. Thereafter, when you have gained enough confidence and can work independently, you’ll be given small audit projects to handle on your own.
If you join our tax and legal service, your initial responsibility will be to assist in carrying out compliance work. Again, apart from the training provided, your seniors and managers will guide you and monitor your progress regularly.
What kind of industry exposure can I expect?
Every kind. The Firm deals with a wide variety of industries and you will be exposed to a broad range of experiences with many varied opportunities.
Is there much foreign travel?
PricewaterhouseCoopers encourages and accommodates global travel, but it very much depends on the service line you join and the location of the client. Each line of service offers scope to travel, but obviously some jobs require it more than others. Foreign travel may come via training courses or client work, and more opportunities tend to come after you have achieved your professional qualifications, as do secondments at our offices around the world.
What is the workload like?
From January to May, the workload in the Assurance division will be fairly heavy; the busy period for tax division is generally between May and September. Overtime can vary from one to five hours each day depending on professional deadlines. The workload in the other divisions/ departments will depend on the demands of the job.
What sort of training does PricewaterhouseCoopers provide?
PricewaterhouseCoopers runs specific in-house courses for all professional staff to help them meet the performance standards of their grade, as well as to prepare them to assume the responsibilities of the next grade. The courses will also enable them to keep up-to-date technically. When you join us as a fresh graduate, you will be put on a course that will equip you with some of the basic skills required in the profession. We strongly believe in training and developing our staff and we expect staff also to have the same commitment towards their development.
How is career progression monitored?
We have in place a series of personal performance measures and post-project feedback designed to see exactly where your career is headed. A designated counsellor works with you to shape your career, while a mentor provides useful, more informal tips on a day-to-day basis. At the end of each assignment, the team in charge will appraise your performance. This will be discussed with you and documented in the appraisal report. At the end of six months, your counsellor will summarise all your appraisals and review your performance for promotion purpose.
As the Firm is such a large entity, is there a danger I’ll feel like a tiny cog in a massive machine?
With more than 146,000 employees worldwide, we are indeed a large organisation. But our success stems from the fact that everyone is treated as an individual. Graduate joiners are constantly appraised, exposed to different people in different sections of the Firm, in different countries, and benefit from a network of training and reviews, as well as the encouragement of their mentors, counsellors and peer groups.
Will I have the opportunity to work in other network offices and at the same time further my qualifications?
Yes. Those who demonstrate potential will be given opportunities to work in our network offices in the United Kingdom, Australia or the US and pursue other professional qualifications at the same time. You are normally required to serve the Firm for at least one or two years before you can be considered for the programme. Additionally, opportunities for furthering your professional qualification are also available in Singapore. For example, the Firm sponsors staff in their studies towards obtaining the Australian CA in Singapore. This way, staff will continue to have relevant work exposure.
Will I have the opportunity to work abroad even if I do not wish to further my professional qualifications?
Yes. We participate in several secondment programmes world-wide whereby promising staff who are considered to have long-term career prospects with the Firm are seconded overseas. These programmes involve staff from senior associate to the manager grade.
We also have occasional short-term overseas secondment programmes. These vary from two to three months and is dependent on the overseas firm's requirements.
