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

[Accounting101]

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!

I did ACCA and didn't attend any training courses, just did it using books at home myself. you can also get online courses. If you can't find a solution with this employer could you send your CV to the firm's you turned down with a cover letter explaining the situation. They might still be looking or had someone drop out. Also don't wait for graduate schemes next year. When I graduated I just sent out speculative applications to about 8 medium sized firms and got an interview for 2. As I was doing ACCA I just started it straight away as it's very flexible.

The large accountancy firms and banks will have strong policies on diversity and inclusion. Speak to them and i am sure some kind of solution can be reached. Accountancy qualifications can be done remotely so they may just have to use a different provider for you.

@Accounting101 Speak to HR (rather than a line manager). They should be able to fix it. I have a family member who used to deliver these courses and I don't think it would be a problem. Ultimately the training provider works for the company, not the other way around.

Could you find a local au pair type person who could travel with you and your child when you have to go on these courses? They can stay at the hotel with you, and the au pair looks after them while you are on the course. You would still get go see your little one in the evenings.

Definitely don’t turn it down !
This is a fantastic opportunity and well done for getting offered it.

I did AAT then CIMA as a single parent with very little support from my family. Yes there were hurdles along the way, it wasn’t easy, I was never one to watch tele and chill, it was lots of juggling but you sound more than capable OP, and remember it’s only temporary anyway, you’ll fly through your modules with huge motivation to get them finished !
You’ll find a way & make it work I know it

@NoProblem123

Thank you and well done to you too, it's good to know that others have been in a similar situation and have managed. I haven't watched TV in years and no one understands why I can't seem to 'chill' . I work very hard (overwork I think) so I am confident in that aspect.

I'm feeling more positive that maybe there will be some options after starting this thread so that's a step forward at least!

@itsgoodtobehome it's something I will look into, I'm just unsure of the financial feasibility of it given that I won't start off on the best wage!

@HelloThereMeHearties

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

This. I work for a Big 4 firm. D&I and social mobility is HUGELY important to them and they will be incredibly flexible for you. This could involve remote learning, attending the training course for shortened hours, fewer nights away, etc.

Take the job and then sort it out.

Between accepting my role and starting my DH got a new job which meant that there was a huge timing issue for school runs. I ended talking to my manager in my first week and we agreed 10am-6pm hours to allow me to do the am school run while my DH did the pick ups. Worked beautifully. I didn't tell them of the issue before I started - just presented it as a fait acommpli that I was anxious about and how could we come up with an acceptable solution together.

A good employer will try to make reasonable amends. It's best if you offer the solution that will work for them and you. Both sides should be prepared to compromise - there might be a dinner at the training course they would like you to attend, for example.

A rubbish employer will tell you it can't be done.

Really hope it works out.

I would also add that the last 12 months has made professional services rethink their business and training models. So for everyone saying that these firms would have been flexible prior to Covid - we're now in a virtual workplace where flexibility is required. There will be a number of solutions to this. The main risk is that the first person you talk to won't be the right person to help you.

And congratulations - it is a competitive market out there. These are great qualifications, and it is an interesting field to work in.

you will be a diverse hire for them
your situation needs to be taken into account
mention this

Distanced learning is a good idea to suggest to them, given you’ve managed university which I’m sure included some considerable study at home you can clearly evidence how this might work. I’m sure that lots of training providers have had revert to online/remote learning in the past year so hopefully this won’t be too difficult a stretch for them.
Another idea is to explore whether they would fund childcare in the area that your course is in.
If they will then maybe you could find a childminder who might be prepared to cover the time you’re at your course. Then you can pick up your daughter after your course to stay at the hotel with you each night.
I’m guessing training dates will be published pretty far in advance which will help planning hopefully.
Offering them two solution focussed suggestions for how you could make it work will hopefully reflect well on you.
Let us know how the conversation goes!

@Accounting101 What are the terms of the training contract? DH turned down a job with a big company a few years ago as if you failed more than one paper you were fired. The pass rate for some papers is less than 40% for CTA so that seemed very risky. Its an awful lot of pressure to put on yourself.

[quote superduster]@Accounting101 What are the terms of the training contract? DH turned down a job with a big company a few years ago as if you failed more than one paper you were fired. The pass rate for some papers is less than 40% for CTA so that seemed very risky. Its an awful lot of pressure to put on yourself.[/quote]
But completely denying yourself the opportunity of succeeding because you're so afraid of failing you don't even try is sad.

The pass rates are much higher for people who study with the big training providers. Plenty of people sit exams without adequately preparing - for instance because they're trying to rush through the qualification in their own time or they've underestimated the challenge - or enter for exams they don't attend.

They're tough but achievable.

Besides which, other firms will take trainees who've left a TC and/or take a less hardline approach. It's not like you get blacklisted. People move around mid-TC all the time for different reasons.

@superduster I've already had a dilemma over this and came to conclusion, as @Logistria has mentioned, I would give it a go and if it really is beyond my means (after trying everything), then I will have no other option but to look elsewhere.

Having said that, I'm more than prepared for it to be a challenge, and more than prepared to deal with that.

I've spoken to a member of staff who I'll be working closely with and they said they'd failed a module and had an opportunity to re-take, and that they don't know anything in that particular office who has been sacked. Ofc I'm assuming that's very much down to each individual, but I can only hope it's somewhat manageable and try the best I can. Would hate to give up the opportunity without ever trying!

@Logistria That was really my point- its not just a job with the big 4 or nothing. There are lots of potential benefits to working for a smaller firm including more flexibility and shorter hours.

Fair enough. I don't disagree with you on that and that may well be where the op's future leads. But op has this opportunity now. Fear of exam failure just seems a really sad reason not to pursue it to me, is all.

OP, please don’t turn this job down. I used to work for one of the big 4. Accountancy firms are known to be some of the most accommodating and flexible workplaces. As others have said, there WILL be a way of managing this.
Good luck - you can make this work!

Don't say you are a single parent without childminding available. Say you have 'caring responsibilities'. Most big firms have a policy for those with caring responsibilities and as part of their equal access policies, have to make adjustments to cater for them. Good luck!

I had a nanny when my kids were very small. She used to regular do over nighters for people she had worked for previously. They had a business trip or whatever and she would pick up a child from after school care, take them home and drop them off first thing and come to us. As and when you relocate it's worth looking for a decent ofsted registered babysitter. Many will do overnight care and are licensed and can be reference checked.

I've also done the residential courses thing from time to time. They're set up so you can study in your room at night time with no distractions and sit the exam as soon as you leave. They're rarely compulsorily residential though.

I've also worked for a city firm that would offer emergency childcare through a proper temp nanny agency. I think we could call on it for two weeks a year (for a chickenpox event for example) free of charge. Only had to use it once and it was a lifesaver.

So take the job!!! You've figured out everything else so far and it can't have been easy. You can do this.

Just accept the job. Everything else can be worked out afterwards.

I'm currently doing the ACA/CTA joint qualifications as a single parent, took mat leave in the middle of my qualification. It is 100% possible to study for the exams without going on a residential my firm don't offer them. I have college on work days with a training provider about 30 mins away, currently all remote learning due to covid. I would definitely talk to them there should be a work around, it's very common in the accounting industry for mum's to come back part time from mat leave (in fact I only know of two including me who went back full time) so flexibility on travel for training shouldn't be a problem. If they won't be flexible one of your other offers will.

Your company may pay the additional childcare fees. It may be worth mentioning to them. Accountancy firms are loaded, this would be spare change to them, particularly if it makes the difference for you to be able to do the course or not. Like others have said, I'm sure there is a solution to this, it's a great opportunity !

@MrsPnut

There may be other places to do the training, ACA and ACCA courses are held as on demand online courses as well as in person. Definitely speak to them regarding the training. Accountancy is a good solid profession to get into and you’d be doing yourself a disservice to not explore workarounds.

Was also going to mention this my husband is a CA and did all training remotely and just exams at a venue.