FAQs

1.       When should I apply?

The application process for the ACA and ACCA professional training schemes starts on 1 June each year and runs according to our Lines of Service needs. It is highly recommended that candidates apply the earliest time possible as these schemes are very competitive. 

2.      What are the minimum entry requirements for applying to PwC’s professional training schemes?

In order to apply to PwC's professional training schemes, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Meet the following academic criteria:

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in Greek will be considered an advantage
• Computer literate (i.e. MS Office)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Team oriented

3.       I do not meet the minimum entry requirements. What are my options?

In case you do not meet the minimum entry requirements, unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply for our professional training schemes. However, you have the following options:

• Undertake a postgraduate degree and apply for next year’s trainee intake
• Apply for an ACCA student position. For more details, refer to Question 4.

4.      I have already started the ACCA on my own. For which position can I apply?

In case you have already started the ACCA on your own, you can apply for an "ACCA student position". To apply for this position, you must first complete at least the fundamental stage of the ACCA exams (i.e. F1-F9 papers) or in case you are exempted from these papers, to pass at least two papers from the professional stage examinations (i.e. P1-P7).

Once this is achieved, you can apply for an ACCA student position by completing an application form and by sending us the status of your ACCA exams (e.g. number of attempts, grades achieved etc.). 

In case there is an open vacancy for an ACCA student position, we will invite you to a personal interview and if your interview is successful, you will receive an offer for employment but not a training contract. This means that you will be responsible to finance your own ACCA studies and as a result have a greater flexibility in terms of your ACCA exams (eg. when to take an exam, how many papers to take at each sitting etc.).

In case there is not an open vacancy at the time you apply, we will keep your details in our recruitment database and inform you accordingly should a suitable position arise. 

5.      Does PwC offer a summer internship programme?

Yes, PwC offers a Summer Internship Programme during the summer months. Through this programme, high calibre university students have the opportunity to develop their employability skills, by working for a few weeks in our Lines of Service. The programme is designed to give students a real-life experience of what a graduate career with PwC would be like.

For more information visit http://www.pwc.com/cy/en/careers/summer-intern.jhtml

6.      I do not have an accounting background. Am I eligible to apply for one of PwC’s professional training schemes?

Yes, you are eligible to apply if you hold an undergraduate degree from any field of study and meet the minimum entry requirements mentioned in question 2.

7.      Do I need to have a postgraduate degree in order to apply?

No, you do not need to have a postgraduate degree in order to apply. The requirement is an undergraduate degree in any field of study with the minimum grades indicated in question 2. Additionally, having a postgraduate degree will not affect your starting salary as a trainee accountant.

8.      I am a non-EU citizen. Can I still apply?

In case you are a non-EU citizen, you should have a work permit to apply. This is due to strict restrictions imposed by the local Cyprus authorities regarding the employment of non-EU citizens.

Special cases:

• If you are a Russian citizen and would like to apply for one of our professional training schemes, you can apply through the PwC Moscow office for the Cyprus Programme.
• If you are a Ukrainian citizen and would like to apply for one of our professional training schemes, you can apply through the PwC Kiev office for the Cyprus Programme.

9.      In which town offices can I apply?

You can apply for a professional training scheme in all PwC office locations i.e. Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos.

10.      In which Lines of Service are trainees employed?

Trainees are employed in Assurance, Tax or Advisory services. In case a trainee has a special preference, we can keep a note of it and may take it into consideration when the departmental allocation takes place, as the allocation of trainees to departments is based on current business needs.

11.       What is the application process?

All applicants receive a response within 20 working days from their application submission date.

12.      Where can I find an application form?

• Go to our application forms page
• Under “Section A”, please type “ACA or ACCA Trainee – Intake YYYY”, and the relevant office (e.g. Nicosia)
• Once the form is completed, you can send your application online, by email or by post, following the guidance and contact details provided on the application forms.

If you have any queries after reading this section, please contact our Human Capital professionals through the "Contacts" box on the right, or call +357-22555143/8.

1.       How many years does it take to become a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA)?

It takes three years to qualify as a Chartered Accountant (ACA) with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) or as a Certified Accountant (ACCA) with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

It takes five years of work experience to gain a practicing certificate from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus (ICPAC).

2.      How many years is PwC’s training contract?

PwC’s training contract is for five years. Upon the completion of the 5-year period, the employment contract continues for as long as one decides to stay with PwC.

3.      How do the ACA and ACCA training schemes differ? 

4.      How can I find out if I am exempted from any ACA/ACCA examinations?

ACA examinations

You are eligible to apply for a maximum of eight exemptions from the ACA examinations, if you can provide evidence that the learning outcomes have been met as part of your academic or professional studies. The eight modules for which you can obtain an exemption are as follows:

• Business and Finance (B&F)
• Management Information (MI)
• Accounting (ACC)
• Law (LAW)
• Assurance (ASS)
• Principles of Taxation (POT)
• Business Strategy (BS)
• Financial Management (FM)

To find out if you are eligible for exemptions, please visit this ICAEW page

ACCA examinations

You are eligible to apply for a maximum of nine exemptions from the ACCA examinations, if you provide evidence that the learning outcomes have been met as part of your academic or professional studies.  The nine papers for which you can obtain an exemption are as follows:

• F1 Accountant in Business (AB)
• F2 Management Accounting (MA)
• F3 Financial Accounting (FA)
• F4 Corporate and Business Law (CL)
• F5 Performance Management (PM)
• F6 Taxation (TX)
• F7 Financial Reporting (FR)
• F8 Audit and Assurance (AA)
• F9 Financial Management (FM)

To find out if you are eligible for exemptions, please visit this ACCA page.

5.      Can I postpone my entry for a year?

In case you have an offer but either decide to continue your academic studies with a postgraduate degree or cannot accept our offer for any other special circumstance, we can consider postponing your offer for next year’s trainee intake.

If you have any queries after reading this section, please contact our Human Capital professionals through the "Contacts" box on the right, or call +357-22555143/8.

 1.       How to complete an application form?

Remember, first impressions count. The application form is an opportunity to stand out. Please find below some tips for filling in your application form:

• Read and follow guidelines carefully
• If it is handwritten, use clear handwriting and capital letters
• Fill-in all sections
• Check your grammar and spelling
• Provide full details of your secondary education, current university results and expected results, if applicable
• Include any work experience, summer jobs or internships under “Relevant Work Experience”
• Proofread everything you write
• Send us a copy of your latest university transcript and any other qualifications obtained

2.      How to prepare for the interview?

Interviews are an important part of the process, and being well prepared can enhance your performance during the personal interview. Please find below some tips for preparing for an interview:

• Learn key facts about PwC Cyprus and the global firm
• Visit the ICAEW and ACCA websites
• Be aware of what a professional training scheme entails
• Be updated on current affairs, by reading newspapers or financial magazines/journals
• Use actual examples from your past experiences when answering questions to demonstrate your skills and competencies
• Answer all questions honestly and concisely
• Think of questions you would like to ask at the interview
• Be punctual
• Behave professionally at all times
• Dress professionally
• Before the interview, remember to turn off your mobile phone

If you have any queries after reading this section, please contact our Human Capital professionals through the "Contacts" box on the right, or call +357-22555143/8.