09-10-2006, 05:58 AM
The way it works is that charge rates for trainee accountants are not comparable to those of qualified accountants (who earn salaries instead of stipend). Not going into the ethics of the 'stipend' method it is reflective to the charge out rates. That is primarily the reason why it is possible to use large audit teams in Countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa and still maintain low charge out rates as compared to the UK, US or even the Gulf countries.