It is needless to tell CA aspirants that EY is one of the most prestigious CA firms, and it is also counted in the Big Four as well. If you are a CA aspirant, then the odds are, that you too, dream to be an EY article.
An articleship from one of the big 4 means a great stepping stone that can help you be highly successful.
This article contains all that you need to know about applying for an EY CA articleship at one of the big four.
Let's focus on the company for a moment. EY exists to help create long-term value for clients, people, and society, as well as to build trust in the capital markets. Data and technology enable diverse EY teams in over 150 countries to provide trust through assurance and assist clients in growing, transforming, and operating.
Also read, how to apply for an articleship at KPMG.
There are certain steps to follow for applying for an EY CA articleship They are given below, but before that, let us read a bit about the CA exam pattern. There are two reasons for mentioning it, and they are:
- These are the requirements to apply for a EY articleship.
- Generally, there may be students who are preparing for just CPT and will need to clear IPCC to pursue EY articleship.
Coming back to the topic at hand, the ICAI requires three levels of exams to become a Chartered Accountant:
- The first level of CPT. If you enroll in the CA program before graduating, you must take this exam. After class 12, you can enroll for CPT.
- Second-level IPCC exam. There are two groups: Group 1 and Group 2.
- CA Final: This is the final level of the CA exam, and it has two groups: Group 1 and Group 2.
So, to apply for an articleship at EY you need to pass the first two levels CPT and IPCC. Only then can you apply for article ships in any firm.
The internship is now held between the second and final levels. This starts after you've cleared IPCC, either both or any of the groups. It is three years long and can be completed in two years. For the remaining year, CA candidates can choose industrial training. It is entirely up to you whether you want to continue with your CA articleship or do industrial training, which has a completely different procedure.
How to Apply for Articleship in EY?
There is no one direct path to apply for an articleship in any firm, much less the Big 4. Here are listed almost all the possible ways by which you can apply for article ships at EY.
You can apply for an EY articleship with:
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Direct application, means you just need to go on the website and submit your updated resume with some formalities and fill out a simple form with general information about yourself.
- You can also drop your CV directly at the physical office of EY.
- A reference person can greatly help you out. It simply means that if you know someone there at EY, you can ask him to pass your CV to HR.
- College placement cells are very helpful. EY executives visit some of the very famous colleges and universities to hire articles.
- LinkedIn, as we all know, is a good source for job seeking and it may be helpful for your EY articleship as well. (To get access to a kickass LinkedIn strategy to leverage your profile, check this out.)
So these are some simple ways in which you can apply for an EY articleship.
Once you have applied, you will have to go through an intense selection process. There are some steps to be followed. Maintaining calmness, positivity, confidence, and a learning attitude is an important aspect right from the start.
But before going to the next step directly, you need to know about some misconceptions about the EY articleship program.
Here are Some Common Misconceptions Prevailing Around EY Articleships:
- The candidate should have a reference from a firm employee or partner.
- The candidate should secure a rank or at least clear both groups on the first try.
- Candidates should not be transfer cases (transfers occur when a CA trainee moves from one CA firm to another). Transfers are typically permitted only in the first year of articles).
So, these are just myths, not facts, so there is no need to worry about them if you do not have a reference. If you have, then utilize the opportunity, but if not, then there is no problem at all.
No need to worry if you have passed your CPT or IPCC on the second or third attempt. But you should try to clear these exams on the first attempt. But even If you could not, then you could also apply for a CA articleship at EY.
There is no issue with transfer cases as well, so there is no need to worry about such myths.
Now that you know that you carry a chance to pursue this EY articleship, let's proceed further.
The CA Article Selection Process:
The online test: This is an online written test where your mathematical skills, reasoning, and English skills are tested. You must have a fine general awareness and general accounting concept and aptitude test. This is the first and most important part, as it evaluates how smart you are. Your present wit, acumen, quick learning attitude, and problem-solving personality traits should be reflected here.
Reading newspapers and updating yourself with the affairs of the world and nation is a pro tip to boost your confidence in this field.
HR round:- It is a very calm and relaxing round. As there is only a general discussion about the qualifications and the firm's policies, regulations, and so on.
They may ask you for a brief history of your career till IPCC, questions like: "What makes you fit for this EY articleship here?" “What drives you to go for CA, and not any other professional course?” “Your vision if any?” There may also be a discussion over the expectations of the company, and vice versa.
Technical round: It is the most important round and is also the deciding factor. It covers all the knowledge gained in IPCC (2nd level CA exam), such as Accounting Standards, Taxation, and recent trends and changes or expected changes in the accounting framework.
This is where you feel like a real interview, something for which you have been studying and preparing yourself for weeks or even months. Your raw knowledge of accounting and auditing, along with different standards will come into play here.
Your intense knowledge plays an important role here in this round. Make sure you answer well with confidence and a positive attitude. This is the final round. If all goes well, you will get your offer letter with good news by evening.
So, this is how the article hiring process at EY for CA articleship takes place, moves, and ends. At the end of this process, there starts your real test which is the articleship itself. But one thing is very clear: you are going to enjoy thisEY CA articleship experience a lot. There are various things that make CA articleship at EY a memorable experience.
But its not all rainbows and colors!
It is difficult to stand out in such a large organization. No matter how hard you work, if you do not socialize and interact with others, you may find it difficult to adjust. To meet new people, smile, talk and interact with them.
Don't be picky: Always be open to new clients and opportunities. Doing the same thing over and over will make you comfortable and will bring your learning curve to a halt. So, even if it sounds and feels uncomfortable, always try to seize new opportunities. Remember that you chose a Big 4 to grow, not to unwind!
A melting pot: Yes, the big four can be rightly called a melting pot. They are the big four because they are big enough to give a chance to everyone who has certain good qualities in a certain field. This is the place where you will find something for everyone. There are no restrictions on which personalities can join the Big Four. Once inside, you'll notice a diverse range of people. You just need to go there with an open mind and some confidence!
To put a long story short, EY is one of the best accounting firms for CA articleship. You need to follow the procedure strictly and professionally. Do not focus on irrelevant myths. There are various ways to apply and you can choose the most suitable one for you.
Thanks for Reading!
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