Should I switch jobs after completing 2 years of my ACA training contract?
Hi everyone,
I’ve recently completed my second year of my trainee contract and I’m considering switching jobs, but I’m not sure whether this is the right time to make the move.
When I started my contract, we were told that if we moved firms, our training experience wouldn’t necessarily be transferred, so I’ve been a bit hesitant about leaving before completing the full contract.
I’m currently working in audit and studying towards the ACA. I’ll be sitting my CAP2 resits in September, but I’m honestly not sure whether I’ll pass all of the exams this time. As far as I’m aware, nobody in my current firm has been dismissed for failing the resits, so I’m not particularly worried about losing my job because of the exams.
However, I’m increasingly feeling like I’d really like a change. I’ve been in audit for two years now, and I’m also being paid close to minimum wage, which makes me question whether staying is worth it, especially given the workload and the fact that I’m progressing through my professional qualification.
Would it be a bad time to move jobs given that I’m partway through my ACA and have CAP2 resits coming up? Or would it make more sense to start looking now, even if it means potentially changing my training arrangement?
I’d particularly appreciate advice from anyone who has switched firms after 2 years of their ACA contract, or moved from audit into an accounting/industry role before qualifying.
Thanks!