16 working in accountancy
coMPany FocuS case studies
your performance and how flexible and Helen Jackson,
mobile you are. At GE, people find that Assistant
their careers are very fluid, with each job Auditor,
they do adding a new dimension to their National Audit
experience.” Office
For more information or to apply, log Helen, 28, is an
on to
www.gecareers.com/europe Assistant Auditor at
the National Audit
Grant Thornton Office (NAO). She is
Leading finance and business advice in the second year of
firm Grant Thornton UK LLP has the NAO’s graduate training scheme and
offices in 30 locations nationwide is due to qualify next year. She studied
and thousands of clients. It is the Philosophy at the University of Nottingham,
UK member of Grant Thornton where she gained both a 2:1 BA degree
International, one of the world’s and also an MA in the subject – she got
leading international organisations of the job after applying to its graduate
General Electric (GE) independently-owned and managed recruitment scheme.
Global giant GE operates in more than accounting and consulting firms.
100 countries and employs in excess Helen, who lives in London, says: “I was
of 300,000 people worldwide. Each The firm takes on about 250 graduates attracted to the National Audit Office by
year the GE financial management a year from all backgrounds and the variety of work it does. It has been
programme (FMP) takes on about looks for a 2:1, although it accepts said that audit is more of an art than a
100 graduate trainees across the a variety of degree disciplines. science and I think that’s true.
Europe, Middle East and Africa Good communication skills are
region. The firm asks for at least a 2:1 a must, as are solid teamwork “My job needs me to investigate and
degree, usually in a finance-related and leadership skills and strong make judgement calls all the time – you
discipline, but the recruitment process commercial awareness. For those really get to understand and explore the
is extremely competitive. GE says who are successful, full training workings of government. The NAO also
selection is decided by academic and and development is given and the offers you the opportunity to become a
personal achievements and qualities. firm sponsors trainees through a chartered accountant through the ACCA
International experience – perhaps variety of accountancy and actuarial professional qualification. The chance to
from overseas work experience qualifications depending on the develop myself was a real attraction.
or voluntary work – is also highly business area they join. Trainees are
valued. The FMP lasts two years and also given comprehensive study leave “My job is very varied. It involves looking
combines on-the-job experience with to prepare for the exams. at financial accounts and statements,
a structured study programme and taking a high level look at what’s going on
exams every six months. Sacha Romanovitch, HR Leader at in government departments and deciding
Grant Thornton UK LLP, says: “We look where to focus our efforts.”
Over the two-year period, FMP trainees for well-rounded individuals who can
take part in four rotations, each work across a wide range of clients of She adds: “It’s been a steep learning
time moving into a different role and various sizes and sectors. As such, we curve for me. One of the good things
location, even to a different country. look favourably on work experience of about the NAO is that you are given a lot
FMP graduates can go on to get a job all types where applicants show that of responsibility early on. Although you
in one of the GE core finance areas, they can work in teams, commit to get good training, you need to be able to
other business roles or the corporate an organisation and use transferable learn all the time – I’m still learning now.
audit staff programme for around two skills. Those that have undertaken I really enjoy the value for money audit
to five years, which will prepare them work experience or an internship or in investigations that we carry out. These
for taking senior finance roles after that the sector are often more likely to fully are studies where we examine how the
time. Montserrat Requejo, financial understand the industry and, as such, Government is spending money and
Management Programme Manager at make a more informed decision on make sure it is economical, effective and
General Electric Commercial Finance where to take their future career.” efficient. It’s really interesting and I’d like to
Europe, says: “The sky is the limit when For more information or to specialise there.”
it comes to career progression at GE. apply, log on to
Essentially it depends on two things –
www.graduates.grant-thornton.co.uk www.nao.org.uk/graduates
gradjobs.co.uk
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