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Original poster

I'm going to have to turn down this offer aren't I?

128 replies

Accounting101 · 09/02/2021 12:04

I'm in a dilemma and I'm desperate for some kind of reassurance. I've got an offer for a graduate scheme at a good accounting firm to start later in the year.

I'm mid-20's and a lone parent. I was concerned before applying whether I would be able to manage with accounting being prone to long hours and all the studying involved. But, I'd got in touch with someone at the firm who assured me that this particular office pretty much never goes beyond 9-5 for my department (fine, as my LO will be in nursery). I'm also very used to studying nights and weekends so that isn't much of a problem.

I thought I had it all planned out. Yesterday, however, I spoke to someone in the firm who in conversation mentioned the bock study leave I'd need to go on for the training courses. Probably very naive of me but I had assumed these would be local. They're not, it would be a 2 hour journey to a different city and would require me to stay there for 2 (or more) weeks at a time.

I don't have a supportive family so asking them to watch DC isn't really an option. I'm going to have to drop the offer won't I?

Just gutted because I really wanted this opportunity and I feel like I'm going to end up trapped in a NMW job because of my circumstances (very aware this is a sitaution I've got myself into, but it doesn't make it any easier). The firm don't know I have a child. I know the courses were remote this year due to Covid, but having asked, they think these will be back to normal should things with Covid clear up. Even if that isn't true of this year, I'm assuming it will at some point throughout the 3 year training period, in which I'll be stuck in the same situation.

Aghh I'm just gutted, I really wanted this job (was up against a fair few so I was also very lucky) and it would be a great opportunity for me and my LO. I'm not sure why I'm really posting, Its just so frustrating and I feel rather hopeless at the moment! Sad

OP posts:
Mumski45 · 09/02/2021 13:25

@Aprilx that's strange you haven't heard of block study for accountancy as in the 90's there was an accountancy training centre in North Wales which did each annual exam course full time over a 3 month residential block.

Actually maybe I'm showing my age it was early 90's and I forget how old I am.

Sarahandduck18 · 09/02/2021 13:27

Don’t turn it down.

There will be other options.

Mumski45 · 09/02/2021 13:28

@Accounting101 which qualification are you training for? Eg if it's ICAEW then you can google to see who provides the training and what flexibility is available.

www.icaew.com/for-current-aca-students/exam-resources/aca-tuition-providers

trilbydoll · 09/02/2021 13:29

There are so many course providers and so many options. Whichever course provider they use will have other options, so they won't necessarily have to look for a new college just for you. I did my Advanced Stage ACA on block release with BPP but I could have done it remotely, day release, mixture of all of them, and that was 10 years ago!

They might do the block release because it's easier for them to have the trainees out of the office in that pattern, whereas a day here and there is harder to plan around. But it doesn't sound like you're doing audit or corporate finance (because of what you said about the hours) so that's less likely to be an issue.

HelloThereMeHearties · 09/02/2021 13:32

Do not turn it down!

This is such a minor, short-term issue in the scheme of things.

There will be ways around it. Maybe there is creche provision somewhere close to the study centre? Or a local nursery, temporarily? Or home-study? It's fixible!

Respectabitch · 09/02/2021 13:33

Talk to them!

They may well already have arrangements for alternate ways to do the courses. They would quite likely be gutted to lose you avoidably when there were workarounds. Or maybe there aren't workarounds yet, but this is a golden chance for them to put their money where their mouth is on D&I. Two week residential blocks wouldn't suit a LOT of people, including those with disabilities as a PP mentioned.

Don't apologise for who you are and what you need. This would be a very small adjustment that is well within their power.

longestlurkerever · 09/02/2021 13:37

Seriously don't give up. I have been on residential training where there was an on site creche and a few people had young children staying in their rooms at night. Obviously not ideal but better than turning down a brilliant opportunity that will benefit your futures. Even if no crèche you might find a childminder of some kind in the vicinity who could take your child during the day. I'd just crack on Thu and assume a solution will have to be found. HR would be mad to let you slip through the net because of this one thing. It's a discrimination issue for one as well as in no one's interests

LaurieFairyCake · 09/02/2021 13:38

Don't turn it down!

When you say you 'can't afford' a nanny please remember it's a short term thing - accountancy is a well paid profession - you would be able to pay off a loan or credit card

There also may be other routes to do the qualification

Never turn down an opportunity like this because of childcare

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 09/02/2021 13:39

Read their D&I policy first and then phone and speak to someone in HR. Quote the policy back to them, do it as a 'how can we resolve this situation together' type enquiry. Say you'll be willing to help too, whether that's working with other trainees or whatever. Approach it positively, take the idea that you may turn down the opportunity out of your head completely. As far as you're concerned, you work there already, you are valued, and now you're going to raise this issue and get it sorted.

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 09/02/2021 13:40

Yep, temp agency nanny in the location would work - it would cost but over the long term it is better than losing a job!

78percentLindt · 09/02/2021 13:43

DS finished IACEW in the Autumn. He was with smaller firm, but did some training on line, some odd days or full weeks, either 30mins or 1.5hours away. Always travelled daily. He used BCPP and another company for courses. They seem to have loads of venues.
Speak to them,and Good luck.

longestlurkerever · 09/02/2021 13:44

They might even cover the cost of a temp nanny if the course is a requirement of the job.

Yellowfiledredfilled · 09/02/2021 13:47

Don't apologise for who you are and what you need. This would be a very small adjustment that is well within their power. It never hurts to ask nicely - people remember when you don't.

Original poster
Accounting101 · 09/02/2021 13:49

@Mumski45 so I will on the combined ACA/CTA route (tax trainee), first 2 years will be on the ACA route only I believe!

OP posts:
longestlurkerever · 09/02/2021 13:50

Also the residential training place was not so ridiculously far away in the scheme of things. The expectation was you'd stay there but I did sneak off and go home for a night just because I was getting cabin fever.

PegasusReturns · 09/02/2021 13:51

Do not turn it down!

First the chances of anything being back to normal in terms of residential training is slim. You might avoid the whole issue for at least a year or so.

Second it’s so much easier to find a compromise/solution when they know you and like you and are invested in things working.

Mumdiva99 · 09/02/2021 13:53

Definitely do not turn this down. I worked.
for a larger consultancy where we had to travel to the states for our training. It was on their massive training site. There is no way they would have discriminated against a parent who couldn't go. Big responsible companies want to ensure they encourage a diverse workforce. They will have solutions you might not even have thought of. (I wouldn't be surprised if they pay for solutions....e.g. a nursery at the venue, or a local nanny.) Please speak with HR. Good luck.

HelloThereMeHearties · 09/02/2021 13:53

(was up against a fair few so I was also very lucky)

No, you were not lucky. Not only has this large company offered you a job, but you say that a few other smaller ones did as well. You are in demand, because you are clearly very talented!

They want you! Companies need new, good talent! You can work with them on this, to enable you both to get what you want - they want you, and you want to work for them.

Mumski45 · 09/02/2021 13:54

That is a fantastic qualification to have. Please please (again) don't turn this down. Have a look here- this is one of the biggest training providers.

kaplan.co.uk/courses/aca-cta#courseAnchor

partyatthepalace · 09/02/2021 13:58

Don’t turn down a job over that OP!

It’s such a small issue compared to your career. Firstly, talk to them to see if there are slightly more flexible ways to manage - could it be partly remote or a centre closer to home. If that’s not possible, you will be able to sort out a temp nanny to look after the baby while you do the course - even if you have to pay for a second room for her, it’s a lot better than loosing your career - in the end you may find a cheaper alternative - like a local child minder or nursery that has a short term place

Don’t let this stop you! Keep posting for help!

HelloThereMeHearties · 09/02/2021 13:59

First accept the job. Then discus the training issue, when it comes up.

Angryangry65 · 09/02/2021 14:02

Absolutely do not reject the offer!!
I worked at Big 4 on the training scheme, people with kids/responsibilities would just leave when they needed to, I worked from home once a week minimum too.

They are being so careful about equal ops and discrimination, so they will 100% find a way to make it work.

Charteredbeancounter · 09/02/2021 14:02

As another ICAEW qualified FCA, I'd echo - please don't turn it down!!

They are very likely to be able to make adjustments for you, even if they don't really want to they will love an opportunity to prove their inclusive attitude!

Block accountancy courses are common but the big accountancy course providers have various methods of course delivery, it is definitely worth investigating.

The ACA/CTA combined route sounds fantastic and will stand you in really good stead to go on to other things if you want afterwards. I have been running my own practice for 15 years now and the flexibility is amazing!

TigerDrawers · 09/02/2021 14:03

@Aprilx

I have over thirty years experience in the accountancy world, I have qualified myself and managed many others through their qualification.

I have never heard of anybody going away for two weeks of block study. Never.

Don’t turn the opportunity down, research other options for study, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking this, but I've only worked in smaller firms so wasn't sure if this is the norm in bigger firms nowadays.

Unfortunately OP, despite them being all about "inclusivity" they've just proven that they're inadvertently ageist. They expect all their graduate trainees will be young, free and single and delighted to be sent away and put up in a hotel for weeks on end.

I imagine there's a group of trainees that go together so it's a bit of a teambuilding exercise at the same time, but being able to provide you with remote study support would save them so much money.

We work with First Intuition as a training provider and they always had an "online" option available, even pre-Covid. I can't imagine colleges going back to classroom courses properly this year and even then I imagine they'll keep the remote options available for even longer.

I agree with the PPs - all you can do is speak with them. If they won't accommodate you (which I'd be surprised given their reputation for inclusivity) then there will be plenty of other firms who will able to provide more appropriate study support.

IloveFebruary · 09/02/2021 14:04

Maybe not a popular view but I’d think carefully about what you want to do.
I worked for a similar type of firm. I was expected to work away a lot. Training courses in other countries at short notice. Clients in different cities. For months and months. I didn’t have a choice, we went where the work was.
When I fell pregnant I knew instinctively I wouldn’t return. They were very encouraging about having me return to work, promised to adapt my current role etc but I knew I couldn’t make it work. I wanted to leave with my head held high and an amazing reputation.
I just felt like if I’d stayed everyone else would have had to carry my slack and I didn’t want that. The role required long hours, working away from home and a lot of networking. I couldn’t commit or compete with those who could.