13
However, you certainly don’t need to be Most big firms want a minimum 2:1 degree,
a maths prodigy and able to work out though many smaller ones will accept
the most complex formula in seconds, candidates with a 2:2, especially if this is
as modern computer software is used in backed up by solid personal characteristics
almost every business to take the crunch and good work experience. While any
out of number-crunching. holiday or part-time work is good evidence
of aptitude, team-working and commitment,
As well as raw talent and ability, a huge dose a position in a financial institution – or a
of commitment, motivation and perseverance financial department within a larger firm –
is also needed for those who will make the will be highly valued. At the very least you
grade. The day-to-day duties are tough need to be able to show that you can work
enough, but in most cases new finance and well within an office environment.
accountancy workers will also need to take
gruelling professional qualifications. Some companies and professional
service consultancies offer specific
This usually involves studying and taking a vacation work, which not only provides
series of tough exams while also working excellent experience but can also provide
the day job – with lots of evening and a shortcut to getting a job at that firm.
weekend study – and there’s no doubt Even if you haven’t got paid-for work at
the huge amount of time and effort a finance-related company, you should
involved can be exhausting. It’s also still try to get some sort of unpaid
not uncommon to fail individual exams, work experience to demonstrate your
which can be a crushing blow, though it’s commitment and build your skills and
usually possible to do re-takes following contact base.
some heavy revision. Once trainees get
“Also the demand
their professional qualifications – and Getting a job
there are many different sorts according
for finance
Be warned, competition for jobs at some
to the job you’re in – career advancement
professionals
of the bigger firms can be intense, with
can be swift, with more responsibility, thousands of applications submitted, often
management positions on offer and of
globally is
from excellent candidates. Careers fairs are
course extra pay.
increasing
a great way to meet potential employers
and gauge whether you could see yourself
Jobs available which means working for them. Ask lots of questions,
The sector is dominated by the and get some contact details of recruiters
so-called ‘Big Four’ multinational firms –
that graduates
you like so you can follow up later. Most
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, Ernst
literally have
large firms or consultancies have details of
& Young and KPMG, but there are also their trainee accountancy positions on their
many other large accountancy companies
a world of
website as well as online application forms.
offering excellent career prospects. There
opportunities”
are also many lesser-known small and If successful, applications are likely to lead
medium accountancy and consultancy to phone and face-to-face interviews, and
firms, as well as accounting departments accountancy and Finance Recruiter Nigel then possibly on to competency and ability
within large companies, including those Lynn (www.nigellynn.com), says: tests, as well as role-playing and teamwork
involved in manufacturing, industry, “Accountancy provides a route not only assessments. These may be carried out at
banking, insurance, retail, transport and into financial management and leadership an assessment centre, where candidates
energy. The public sector also has a roles but also into more general business can be observed over an extended period.
huge need for accountants and finance careers. For budding entrepreneurs, it Whatever the interview method, the
professionals, including national and gives an excellent grounding for running questioning will be rigorous and
local government, other organisations your own business.” interviewers will look into all aspects of
in the civil service and the NHS. As well a candidate’s performance, history and
as accountants, other associated roles Qualifications and experience overall aptitude. It’s crucial to have an
include actuaries, financial consultants, While graduates who have studied virtually excellent general knowledge of finance,
investment managers, risk management, any degree subject can become an economy and money-related matters.
insolvency and business advisory. accountant, those with maths, business Keep up with current affairs and read the
or economics degrees have a certain finance pages of the newspapers as well
For those with their professional advantage – if only because they’re as the FT and finance-related websites and
qualifications, the future should be very already highly numerate and know the magazines. You’ll have to demonstrate a
bright. Steve Carter, Managing Director of language of numbers. keen sense of financial context – how the
GradJobs Magazine | Autumn 08
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