Published on 12, July, 2020
Any thoughts? What about the 'Big 4': PWC, EY, Deloitte, KPMG?
Fraud wasn't particularly bad as a unit in the organisations I worked in. It was a pity that we had to share a building with some of the *** from places like collections, (those are real psychopaths, mostly), sales and some of other more insane departments. The thing that pushed me out was the fact I wanted to remain in the role I had. They tried to make me go for the team managers role after they moved. I said I didn't want it and I was lumbered with most of their work anyway. I snapped. It was ugly and that was that. I left finance altogether. Going from what I'm reading you would have a deep distain for collections. I did and I didn't try to hide it.
Civil service sounds good if they do flexible hours! A lot of food for thought, thank you
These are really informative replies. Thanks everyone! I don't like the culture in finance either. I wanted to earn a bigger wage so I could stockpile it for later in life and do a less well paid job that I would at least enjoy and not have financial fears particularly if I found myself in mental crisis as if already amassed the money from the financial job. I would be good in an AML role but if the people and cultures in finance institutions attract the same sort of hard nosed dog eat dog individuals I want to avoid, then I know it will be a huge price to pay. The types of interactions with these types of people would be more difficult than usual with zero chance of enjoyment because I know I'm far more ethical than they are and prefer to work hard rather than schmooze and brown nose my way to get noticed. They're all attention seekers and want to get to the top at all costs I think. There should be a blood test for psychopathy. Pity the decision makers in this world all seem to have the narcissistic traits seen in standard financial institutions.
Yup. I'm the same. I work in a complex needs school as support in the maths department. I started off as a volunteer 16 years ago and through on the job training manged to achieve a level 4 in learning support and now often teach in the absence of the teacher. Its a great place to work for all the reasons outlined above by Emma
You might usefully get some ideas from Tania Marshall's list of Aspienwomen characteristics:
Moving towards an adult female profile of Autism/Asperger Syndrome
"3. Career/Work
Often drawn to the helping, artistic or animal professions, and often an “expert” in her chosen field. I know of many Aspienwomen who are successful in the following careers: Artists, singers, actors, poets, writers, teachers, psychologists, psychiatrists, special needs teachers/consultants, horse trainers/whisperers, doctors, scientists, accountants, authors, childcare workers, models, comedians, artists, computer-related specialists, animal handlers or zoo keepers, university professors, nurses, psychics/mediums, entrepreneurs and photographers.
May miss days of work due to social exhaustion
May find great difficulty attending/participating in staff meetings, lunch breaks, work social events
May make up excuses for not attending work/staff functions
May have a history of being unable to cope with work/employment environments, often moving from job to job, especially in younger adult years
Hard-working conscientious worker
May get stressed if have a lot of work to do in a short amount of time
May become frustrated/stressed if asked to do too many things at once
Tries very hard to avoid making mistakes, forgetting things
Tries hard to please others
May burn bridges (for e.g., walk out or quit jobs or relationships without notice)"
I also teach, so I know what you’re saying.
ideally, my dream employer would pay me an give me space to flourish
I work in care with autistic people, which is hugely rewarding in one sense. Not financially, though. Because it's day service, too, my hours are set: 9 - 4.30. Perfect for me. Throughout my 40-odd year working life, I've generally stuck to those kinds of hours, with weekends free.
If you're looking for something more financially rewarding, though... do you have any computer skills? Coding, web developing, CRM systems, etc? I used to be a self-employed recruiter for that sector. The rewards can be high for the right people. Short-term or long-term contracts for self-employed, or salaried positions are available - some with home-working arrangements.
Then there's the civil service, which suits many. I was a civil servant for a few years. Great benefits, flexi-time working, very accommodating to staff seeking a good work-life balance. And the salaries aren't bad, even for Administrative Officers such as I was. Their pension scheme is gold-plated, too. I only worked in the civil service for five years. Even so - and with cashing my pension in five years early, at 55 - I got a handy lump sum, and I now have a small monthly pension which enables me to only need to work 4 days a week now. What drove me out was the work. I simply had enough of desk jobs. I wanted to do something that gave me a greater sense of job satisfaction - even if it meant a salary sacrifice. That's where I am now!
Finding that balance between the kind of income you want and the kind of shift/hours structure you want might be your main challenge. Often, the careers that offer the highest financial rewards will be those that demand the most of your time: multi-tasking, high-pressure work, long hours, etc. Great if you can manage those challenges. Not great if you can't.
I find education (as support staff in a small-ish school) ideal from an AS perpective.
I really lucked into my niche when I left university!
It depends on what type of role you'd want to do. They are all pretty ethically shady, especially Deloitte. The other 3 have been involved in some scandals which led to job losses but Deloitte are into some more "weird" stuff. EY are probably the more stable firm when it comes to reshuffles and avoiding "mishaps" that lead to job losses, they are imo the best of the bunch ethically. I've posted before here about big business (It doesn't get much bigger than the Big 4 power wise except probably Deutsche Bank within finance) and their sudden interest in employing Autistic people. I'm very sceptical about their motives.
If you do want to work for one of the Big 4 -
-Don't expect a 9 to 5. At least 50 hours a week is the norm.
-Expect to start in audit. Try to move away from audit. TAS, valuation, risk management are better. Audit is hard to move away from or progress.
-If you have the credentials try and get in at a smaller firm in any accounting field other than audit and use it as a side door to get Big 4 money.
I've worked in a lot of jobs including the financial sector. I didn't find finance particularly healthy. Long hours, I didn't like the culture and I found it stressful.
Best job I ever had was welding or unloading lorries. In the financial sector it was in Fraud. AML is supposed to be a pretty good job or so I've heard.
Good luck!
Other sectors as well. Reliable secure jobs that are intellectually stimulating
Hi AsperWoman,
Are you focusing solely on financial/professional services companies like these or are you interested in other employment sectors?