Category Archives: Accounting and Auditing

Nivya, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, Business and Management

Nivya, Business Administration student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to learn about potential business opportunities, gain exposure to employment openings and enhance her current skillset. Through the scheme, Nivya was matched with an Accounting graduate from the University of Exeter who is now a Director at Starfield Management Ltd with responsibilities such as Chief Restructuring Officer.

Nivya tells us more about her experience below:

What objectives did you achieve?

Nivya achieved many objectives including:

  • Increased knowledge of effective interview techniques in this sector
  • Improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector
  • Increased knowledge sector entry requirements

Nivya also wanted advice in prioritising and researching the three career options that she was considering. Her mentor helped her do this.

What were your highlights of the scheme?

My mentor was very supportive and helped me regain my confidence in being able to prepare and face interviews.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the profession and its pros and cons in the United Kingdom.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The Career Mentor Scheme is very helpful. But, it depends on your own initiative in getting the most of it. I received insight about being able to choose the right career path by weighing the pros and cons of the options available. I could get rid of doubts that I had of my career options. My Mentor was very supportive and flexible with regards to time and dates as well.

Chloe, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics

Chloe, Economics with Econometrics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to improve her application forms, receive advice with online testing and gain a better understanding of the accounting and audit industry. Through the scheme, Chloe was matched with the International Accounting and Audit Director at Crowe Horwath International. This mentor is an Executive Director, responsible for global audit leadership of an international network of accounting firms.

“I would highly recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to anyone who is looking to improve their employability.”

Chloe achieved all of her objectives including a personal objective: “I really wanted to explore the different roles within audit and accounting. My mentor really helped me do this and also provided really good advice regarding what employers look for in potential candidates. I also wanted to improve my CV and LinkedIn profile.”

Chloe told us more about her experience:

What were your highlights of the scheme?

The best part of this scheme was the regular contact I had with my mentor. We arranged monthly Skype calls and I felt really comfortable talking to him. We arranged our meetings so that I had objectives to complete between each session and that I could update my mentor about my progress. We always had things to discuss.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The insight into accounting/audit was really useful. I was applying to industrial placements whilst on the scheme and so having my mentor’s help during the application form process meant that I was able to improve my applications.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

My mentor helped me to explore future career options, improve my CV and understand what employers are looking for in candidates. I would highly recommend the Career Mentor Scheme to anyone who is looking to improve their employability.

Sophia, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, , , ,

Sophia, a Philosophy, Politics and Economics student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to further her job prospects and possibilities through advice from an experienced professional. Sophia particularly wanted to gain confidence in her interview techniques and skills. Through the scheme, Sophia was matched with an Accounting and Finance Alumnus who is now a Global Sarbanes Oxley Analyst & CSA Operations Manager for Procter & Gamble. This mentor is certified in Internal Audit and has 11 years of experience in this role, working in over 20 countries.

“Advice that you would not have had the opportunity to get without the scheme.”

Sophia achieved all of her objective including improved knowledge of further education and professional courses related to this sector, increased knowledge of find internships and work experience in this sector and a increased knowledge of job hunting resources in this sector.

Sophia gave us some insight into her experience;

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into possible career paths and what they entailed and help with internship application forms and advice with confidence etc.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It is a really good source of information and advice that you would not have had the opportunity to get without the scheme.

Adrienne, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics, , , ,

Economics student Adrienne participated in the Career Mentor Scheme and was mentored by an Executive Advisor at KPMG LLP. As such his main responsibilities were to identify sales opportunities in Technology Risk and Assurance services and to develop those opportunities into sales. This mentor also managed the delivery of Technology Risk and Assurance services to our organisation’s Construction, Infrastructure, Transport and Public Sector portfolio of clients including agreeing contracts, planning, work on site (fieldwork), financial management and agreeing deliverables with clients.

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Adrienne had an extraordinary experience in the year in which she was part of the scheme.

How do you feel the career mentor scheme has helped you overall?

  • Improved my confidence to seek graduate level employment
  • Improved my personal skills needed for graduate level employment
  • Helped me prepare for my next steps – graduate level employment / further study
  • Professional contacts from networking
  • Made a friend / future professional contact in my mentor
  • Greater idea of what the career path involves (audit)

How do you feel the mentoring process has enhanced your employability?

Gained greater knowledge of the field (audit)(good for interviews), greater knowledge of the professional qualifications open to me after university, improved personal skills (more confidence in interviews) and CV enhancement.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insights into my chosen profession/sector, greater knowledge of the professional qualifications open to me after university.

Why should students apply to have a mentor?

Now I have a greater idea of the career I would like to go into, the possible qualifications that I could partake in after my studies, an insight into where said career could take me. Really great insight!

 

Simona, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics, Modern Languages, , , ,

Simona wanted to pursue a career in the Accounting and Auditing sector. As part of the Career Mentor Scheme she was mentored by a Non-executive director at BDO LLP. After completing his BA History and Politics and MA Modern European History with French at Exeter, this mentor also completed ACA and FCA. In 2005 he completed PMD at Harvard Business School.

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Simona shared an insight into how the Career Mentor Scheme was useful to her.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I enjoyed having constant personal support, whenever I needed it, and having it tailored to what I needed at the time. For example when I had an interview coming up, I just emailed my mentor and we set up a skype call where he coached me through it.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Getting one-on-one insight into the industry, being coached through an assessment day and interview.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

I would highly advise it! I think it’s one of the best ways, aside from interning, to prepare for the professional industry while at university.

Madeleine, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics, , , , ,

Whilst in her final year Madeleine was undecided in terms of whether she should apply to graduate jobs or go travelling. She applied to the Career Mentor Scheme in order to get more guidance and career advice and was matched with the director at the Old Mill Accountancy LLP. This mentor has had a varied career within accountancy, working in different sized organisations and both in and outside London.pic-01

Madeleine found the Career Mentor Scheme really helpful. It helped her improve her confidence and make the decision to apply for graduate schemes. She developed her interview techniques and learned more about what is good and bad about the industry. She also developed her commercial awareness significantly.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The thing I found most useful was what I learned about the accountancy sector. My mentor explained to me about the huge range of challenges facing the accountancy sector which meant that when I got to the interview stage of my assessment centres I was able to really impress the interviewer.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The mentor scheme is a great opportunity to get a deeper insight into a certain sector that you are interested in. What I learned from my mentor was very useful when I got to interview, as I had more of an understanding of challenges facing the industry. I discussed my professional experiences with my mentor which helped me develop my responses to competency questions and we also discussed the importance of and methods for becoming more commercially aware.

“By debriefing after interviews/assessment centres, I helped her to understand how employers view things and to refine her approach. She succeeded in getting a job offer from the best of the firms that she had applied to, which was a great result.” – Madeleine’s Mentor

Luke, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, Business and Management, , ,

Luke was mentored by an Executive Director at EY, as part of the Career Mentor Scheme. In his role this mentor’s main responsibility is to ensure quality of service delivery to EY’s clients and continued growth of the business.

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Luke had a superb experience participating in the scheme.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

During the scheme I was looking for an industrial placement and my mentor gave me a significant degree of support throughout each of my applications, being willing to read over my applications, give advice on what different companies will be looking for and helping to develop strong examples where I show the competencies they are looking for. I now feel like I am much more competent in the application process and when it comes to applying for graduate roles I should be in good stead.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into the industry I was applying for, which you wouldn’t get unless you speak to someone who is experienced.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The scheme is the best way to get a true insight into whatever field you are looking to go into.

 

Chang, Logistics, Supply Chain and Operations

Accounting and Auditing, Accounting and Finance, Logistics Supply Chain and Operations, ,

Through the Career Mentor Scheme Chang, studying Accounting and Finance was matched with a Network Development & Implementation Programme Manager at Fonterra. This mentor has experience in Operations, Consultancy and Purchasing and Procurement. His previous employment includes moving up from Analyst to Consultant, Senior Consultant and finally Manager at Deloitte.

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The Career Mentor Scheme brought many advantages to Chang.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Getting to know my mentor not only as a professional, but also an ordinary person. It was great to learn how a professional can achieve work/life balance and to find out more about my mentor’s view towards careers and various life experiences.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into my chosen sector & Guidance/advice on career options.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

The Career Mentor Scheme is a great way to boost your confidence and communication skill, and it also provides this invaluable opportunity to gain insights into your chosen sector/industry.

“Chang was great, lovely to reconnect with the University and what is happening, plus provide support and guidance to someone at the start of their career” – Chang’s Mentor

 

Chenyun, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, Accounting and Finance, ,

Chenyun wanted to get into the Accounting and Auditing sector. During her year of completing a postgraduate degree in Accounting and Finance she participated in the Career Mentor Scheme and was matched with Director at Old Mill Accountancy LLP.

After graduating from Accountancy Studies in Exeter, this mentor first worked at EY as Corporate Finance Manager for six year. He then moved on to hold the same position at Peplows Chartered Accountants.

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Chenyun found the scheme extremely useful.

I gained passion in my future career and become clearer of what I am after.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

I had very little confidence at the beginning. By listening to me talking about my experience, my mentor identified some of my natural strengths that I had never before realized I had, which greatly boosted my confidence. He also gave me a lot of encouragement during the process, and the encouragement from a senior professional really means a lot to me.

From the first meeting until my final work experience with my mentor, he was really passionate about his work, which inspired me greatly.

When I was about to take an assessment centre, I asked my mentor for some help in report writing. He then showed me a report he had just finished and briefly explained it to me. Not only did I gain a rough idea of the format and language required, I also got excited about writing the report and became more determined to pursue the career path I [have chosen].

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

The face-to-face meeting made our communication more effective and promoted deeper understanding of each other.

The two-week work experience gave me a real insight into what it is like to work for a UK accountancy firm.

My mentor’s rich experience in working in different sized accountancy firms and coaching has successfully helped me decide which career path I am after and gave me confidence that I can do well in my chosen profession.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Career Mentor Scheme gives you an excellent opportunity to establish a closer bond with an experienced professional in your ideal career and he/she can be a role model to inspire you in pursuing such career.

This mentor said:

“I felt that I did make a difference to how my Mentee perceived herself and her achievements, in particular, that she demonstrates leadership in all sorts of ways, not necessarily by being nominally the leader.
She came to our office for a couple of weeks work experience and was incredibly hard-working and committed. Most of all though, the staff became more attached to her than possibly any of the other interns we’ve previously had.” 

Rachel, Accounting and Auditing

Accounting and Auditing, economics, , , ,

Between May of her penultimate year and October of her final year Economics student Rachel was mentored by the UK/I Finance Controller at Unilever.

This mentor’s responsibility at Unilever is to lead a team of 80 people across all the key financial areas of the business. His has previously held various positions at Procter & Gamble, as a Financial Controller, Sales Finance Manager and Marketing Finance Manager. Prior to that he was a Tax Structured Finance Manager at Deloitte.

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Rachel discussed the advantages she got out of the scheme with us. Amongst other things their partnership achieved, Rachel received help with application forms and covering letters and developed her confidence to seek graduate level employment.

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Learning about what my career mentor did and getting advice on how to get there myself.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Advice from somebody who works in the industry and can give advice on how to do well in interviews.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

Make the most of the opportunity.