Accounts Assistant studying ACCA exams
Discussion
I am about to offer somebody the role of Accounts Assistant. I know I am going to offer them x salary and x benefits but they also would like a "study" package. The candidate would like to complete around 3 papers per year and is keen to find out what level of support we can provide. Does anyone know if there is a "standard" level of support that a company should give? Should we pay like 25/50% of all fees? Also, what about time off for studying? 2 days per paper (inc exam)?
Many thanks in advance.
J
Many thanks in advance.
J
Edited by JADF on Tuesday 14th June 13:51
Not ACCA, but my co. pays for the study course (includes books at BPP) and a revision course. 3 days leave (including exam day), and a 2 year 'lock-in' period after I qualify.
If you're a small firm then you may wish to negotiate by paying less towards study but increasing pay with each exam passed? Oh, and 6 exams a year seems to be the norm, but 2 at each sitting should be easily manageable (so 4 in a year).
If you're a small firm then you may wish to negotiate by paying less towards study but increasing pay with each exam passed? Oh, and 6 exams a year seems to be the norm, but 2 at each sitting should be easily manageable (so 4 in a year).
It varies from employer to employer. Scale of support varies as follows
None
Study leave/Exam Leave/Revision Leave (unpaid)
Study leave/Exam Leave/Revision Leave (paid)
Course Fees/Exam Fees/Revision Fees (paid)
Professionals subscriptions paid
Graduate Trainee Scheme with one of the Big Four would probably provide the best overall package (with passes linked to promotion/pay rises). At the other end of the scale you would have employers who feel they pay you £x for x amount of work, and that's it!!
It depends how keen you are to retain this person/how easily replaceable he is. I'd also suggest some kind of tie-in clause where he works for you for a period of time after completing his exams, rather than buggering off at the first opportunity
None
Study leave/Exam Leave/Revision Leave (unpaid)
Study leave/Exam Leave/Revision Leave (paid)
Course Fees/Exam Fees/Revision Fees (paid)
Professionals subscriptions paid
Graduate Trainee Scheme with one of the Big Four would probably provide the best overall package (with passes linked to promotion/pay rises). At the other end of the scale you would have employers who feel they pay you £x for x amount of work, and that's it!!
It depends how keen you are to retain this person/how easily replaceable he is. I'd also suggest some kind of tie-in clause where he works for you for a period of time after completing his exams, rather than buggering off at the first opportunity
Just to add, during my time in the NHS I got
50% of time off for study (I had to make the rest up via flexi)
Half a day for exam leave plus half a day for revision (per paper)
First attempt esam fees paid in full
£40 allowance for books
I had to repay if I left within two years of qualification. It was a tapered amount, ranging from 100% immediately after qualifying, reducing by 4.5% per month.
HTH
50% of time off for study (I had to make the rest up via flexi)
Half a day for exam leave plus half a day for revision (per paper)
First attempt esam fees paid in full
£40 allowance for books
I had to repay if I left within two years of qualification. It was a tapered amount, ranging from 100% immediately after qualifying, reducing by 4.5% per month.
HTH
Cheers all.
In the end I offered:
Salary
Bonus
Pension contribution
Wpa (healthcare)
25 days holiday
9 days off paid (per year) for course/exams
All course related fees paid
Think it's like £33k, which I think is more than fair for a fairly basic role.
Cheers.
Edited: 50% of final years course cost will be owed to company if you leave within 18 month of qualifying.
J
In the end I offered:
Salary
Bonus
Pension contribution
Wpa (healthcare)
25 days holiday
9 days off paid (per year) for course/exams
All course related fees paid
Think it's like £33k, which I think is more than fair for a fairly basic role.
Cheers.
Edited: 50% of final years course cost will be owed to company if you leave within 18 month of qualifying.
J
Edited by JADF on Thursday 16th June 20:39
Edited by JADF on Thursday 16th June 22:08
Countdown said:
JADF
If you're going with an Agency surely they will give you a list of candidates with the hourly rate chargeable for each candidate ?? i.e.
Tim Nice-but-Dim £6.60ph plus a packet of KP dry roasted peanuts
Rupert Willington-Smyffe £50 ph plus 2 hours per day with your secretary?
Indeed. I have been offered £25K perm candidates at £20.00 per hour if they are to temp. I understand that there will be a margin (agency admin etc), but I am not sure at what rate is acceptable. It's a small business, just over 30 people.If you're going with an Agency surely they will give you a list of candidates with the hourly rate chargeable for each candidate ?? i.e.
Tim Nice-but-Dim £6.60ph plus a packet of KP dry roasted peanuts
Rupert Willington-Smyffe £50 ph plus 2 hours per day with your secretary?
Many thanks.
J
Edited by JADF on Thursday 23 June 17:27
Countdown said:
"Seems" reasonable. At the moment we're paying £14ph for a Purchase ledger Clerk (which I thought was on the high side). Previously I've employed "Trainee" level accountants at £15ph, I'm not sure if that's the level you're appointing at.
Btw are you using Adecco by any chance?
Not using Adecco. Large recruitment agency in City of London. So, the £20 ph is probably not too bad.Btw are you using Adecco by any chance?
We are looking at candidates that have more practical experience than specific qualifications. One thing I have found is that most candidates only have limited hands-on experience. Most have either just worked on Purchase or Sales Ledger. I want someone that's worked for a small company and has an understanding of the whole of accounts and how things work. Maybe I am asking too much ...
I am interviewing 5 candidates on Tuesday so I am sure we'll offer someone the job.
Cheers guys.
J
JADF said:
I am about to offer somebody the role of Accounts Assistant. I know I am going to offer them x salary and x benefits but they also would like a "study" package. The candidate would like to complete around 3 papers per year and is keen to find out what level of support we can provide. Does anyone know if there is a "standard" level of support that a company should give? Should we pay like 25/50% of all fees? Also, what about time off for studying? 2 days per paper (inc exam)?
Many thanks in advance.
J
My company paid 100% of all fees, all food i ate and paid for all my mileage too...Many thanks in advance.
J
Edited by JADF on Tuesday 14th June 13:51
If you invest in them, they will stick around...
JADF said:
Cheers all.
In the end I offered:
Salary
Bonus
Pension contribution
Wpa (healthcare)
25 days holiday
9 days off paid (per year) for course/exams
All course related fees paid
Think it's like £33k, which I think is more than fair for a fairly basic role.
Cheers.
Edited: 50% of final years course cost will be owed to company if you leave within 18 month of qualifying.
J
In the end I offered:
Salary
Bonus
Pension contribution
Wpa (healthcare)
25 days holiday
9 days off paid (per year) for course/exams
All course related fees paid
Think it's like £33k, which I think is more than fair for a fairly basic role.
Cheers.
Edited: 50% of final years course cost will be owed to company if you leave within 18 month of qualifying.
J
Edited by JADF on Thursday 16th June 20:39
Edited by JADF on Thursday 16th June 22:08
I don't get anything near that!
I get 3 days study leave (When my contracting role ever becomes permanent).
I had to use 3 days holiday for that instead, I don't even get any part of my ACCA paid for, it all comes out my own measley wage, mind you I do work for a charity.
That's a very good package.
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