17
Nicola Snape, Tim Jackson, Aida Ali,
Finance Analyst, Auditor, Assistant
GE Money Grant Thornton Accountant,
Nicola, 25, from After graduating with a CineWorld
London, studied 2:1 degree in Classics Cinemas Ltd
Maths at the University from Cambridge Aida graduated in
of Leeds and gained University, Tim decided June 2007 with a 2:1
a first class degree. he wanted to pursue a degree in Finance
She says: “The idea career in accountancy. and Accountancy
of working in finance He applied to from Thames Valley
seemed logical – working with numbers Grant Thornton and after a series of University (TVU) in Ealing, West London.
had always been what I enjoyed. As well interviews and an assessment day he At 23 years old, Aida, landed a job as
as problem-solving and working as part got the position and started a three-year an assistant accountant with CineWorld
of a team, finance seemed the perfect programme in auditing. Tim, 24, who Cinemas soon after graduating. Working
fit for me.” Nicola took her third year out works at the firm in London, says: “I’ve in the finance department at head
of university and did an internship with always enjoyed maths and had every office, Aida is enjoying her first graduate
GE Money, working as a cost analyst. intention of one day pursuing that interest. role in accountancy: “I love working
After graduating from university she Being an auditor means you’re always with numbers, especially working out
joined GE’s finance graduate scheme – being stationed in the offices of clients problems and solving them,” says Aida.
the financial management programme. analysing their accounting processes and “Part of my reason for choosing to study
This meant she spent two years working speaking to everyone from the directors finance at university was my enjoyment
in different areas of GE business and down. of maths and equations, together with
finance picking up a wide variety of skills the importance of having good career
before taking a financial analyst role at “It’s amazing being exposed to such a prospects at the end of my degree.”
headquarters. wide variety of businesses from every Studying at TVU prepared Aida for her
industry, each with its own internal new role, but she also worked part-time
“There are many different aspects to my job policies. It gives you great insight into at an accountancy firm whilst studying.
– from analysing internal data such as our how a business really operates – how After graduating, Aida applied to a
quarterly trend and planning data for coming to maximise strengths and combat range of accountancy jobs through
years, to considering external market weaknesses. This is invaluable for anyone an agency and got an interview at
conditions including competitors and how who’s looking to excel in the business CineWorld Cinemas, who offered her
different conditions affect the performance world. I had done little in terms of work the job.
of the businesses within GE Money. experience before joining Grant Thornton
but the training we get here is top notch. Aida found the work quite challenging
“I love being part of a team that really is at We get a lot of internal training – it’s pretty at first but quickly eased into her
the core of not only analysing results but intense but it’s fun as well, which makes it work surroundings and is enjoying
also planning and decision-making. Other an enjoyable experience. her career, after nearly a year in the
functions really look to you for support in role. “Although my studies prepared
many different areas of the business. “Every job has downsides and I have me through education, my work has
to admit that auditing can be a little given me experience of team work,
“Additionally with finance being such a monotonous from time to time – professionalism, responsibility and job
specialist area, there’s always something especially when companies have 200 satisfaction. I’m enjoying keeping up to
to learn so you never get bored. Things to 300 accounts that you need to sift date with current affairs and the market.
can be a little hectic – you can never through. With all the new technology Working in finance keeps you educated
really plan more than a week in advance that accountants use though this is and aware of changes in the financial
what you’ll be working on. But I do enjoy much easier now than it used to be. situations around the world.” Keen to
the challenge of always being involved We work hard but we’re encouraged improve her knowledge and further her
in something different and new.” Nicola to stick to working hours and have a career, Aida is taking an accountancy
plans to build her career within GE, fulfilling life outside of work, which is qualification, ACCA, which is being
with the aim of eventually going into unusual in this profession. I hope to go funded by CineWorld Cinemas. “It has
senior management. “There are so many on a secondment abroad one day – I’ve helped me to feel secure in my job
different career paths within GE and always wanted to travel and see more of and has given me self-belief that I am
finance in general.” the world.” moving up in my career,” she says.
www.gecareers.com/europe www.graduates.grant-thornton.co.uk
www.tvu.ac.uk and
www.cineworld.co.uk
GradJobs Magazine | Autumn 08
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