Trainee salary question

[Stupidlikeafox]

I've been lucky enough to be offered a contract with a an accountancy practice starting in September to train me to do my ACA qualification. I had my contract sent to me yesterday and it outlined my salary whilst in the position of a trainee.

Does that imply that my salary won't increase as I progress through my training? As a starting salary in private practice straight out of Uni it's really not too bad, but if I haven't progressed 3 years down the line I think I'd be a bit miffed!

I must make it clear that I'm not complaining/looking a gift horse in the mouth here, and will 99% sign the contract anyway. I was just interested to hear whether this is a usual situation (to stay at a flat rate whilst training) or whether there should be an increase with each exam pass or something.

Oh, and I know I could ask them, but I don't want to look like a money grabbing mercenary!

Cheers ears.

[samu23]

I work for a large accountancy practice on the south coast, training for ACCA, and I get a salary rise per exam that I pass first time. But its not mentioned anywhere in my contract. Good Luck!

[vescaegg]

Whilst I'm not in accountancy so don't know how it will translate, I started 5 years ago as a surveyor (being put though uni by them) and my salary has increased each year and I had a salary defined at the start with no confirmation it would actually increase. However, I work for a small company and am not so much a 'number' per sé - friends who are doing the same for big companies have had no pay rises since they started. Its likely to be quite different between companies. Good luck with it anyway!

[Mojooo]

I thought it was the norm in accountancy to get a small rise with each exam pass.

In my job you get no rises at all with exam passes, or ecen when you qualify. But its non related to finance.

[fergywales]

Surely it is entirely dependant upon the level of salary being offered?

It is obviously low, but if you are 99% committing to signing it, it must be of a level that you are comfortable with?

[cailean]

I am an audit partner in a medium sized firm in London. Our contracts for graduate contracts (ACA) state only the first year's salary. It is a three year contract (until you complete the ACA exams). The salary goes up every year but those amounts are not stated in the contract you get to sign before you join. The year 2 & 3 salaries are not decided until each year as it will to some extent depend on the economy and overall salary rises across the whole firm. We do not pay an increase for exam passes as everyone in each of the 3 years will get the same salary. If, however, you do not pass the exams then...we give a second chance (some bigger firms do not and show you the door on any exam fails)...