Taking the work out of networking: Big 4 sponsored majors
A number of UK universities offer degrees that are sponsored by Big 4 companies.Students will have the opportunity to fast track towards the ACA qualification while completing their degree and undergoing paid work placement.
These strategic partnerships provide excellent benefits for both students and employers, and are therefore highly desirable programmes for ambitious individuals. Employer Affiliated Programmes are those exclusively tied to an employer, with work experience integrated within the programme, enabling students to combine academic studies and ACA training.
Pros **(this is from the program at my university, others could be different)
- Paid work placement ( Jan -March)
- Exemptions to most tests required to be a chartered accountant (you need to get a certain grade)
- No summer placement
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Con
ALL work placement activity is with the assurance team. No direct exposure to other business lines like TAS/Deals/Advisory
As someone who goes to a university that offers this degree, I feel like this is a good way to break into finance. Yes you will be in audit;however, there is no one stopping you from networking with other people from different service lines. Also Big 4 -> IB is not uncommon in the UK. I feel that an undergraduate student can leverage his/her work placement into summer IB internships (i.e. apply for a summer internship in PwC Deals)
As a US-centric site, what's your opinion? Will this work in the US or is this just a glorified on-campus recruitment program?
