Graduate Accountant Trainee Review

I am currently situated in the Management Accounts team. I am the management accountant for Academic Registry and Student Services. This involves monthly reports for budget holders, quarterly reforecasts and setting budgets for the next academic year. I will change departments within finance at the end of my first year of employment. I am also studying for my ACCA at the same time and sit exams every quarter

Yes- almost everything I do in my day-to-day role within management accounts I have learnt on the job. This experience has been invaluable and will be exceptionally useful in future roles. My studying has also provided me with the technical knowledge which I have had opportunities to put into practice at NTU.

I am thoroughly enjoying working at NTU. My line manager set aside a great deal of time in the beginning to explain my day-to-day tasks and what was expected of me as a management accountant. I now have a thorough understanding of my role and am confident in my accounting decisions and advice for budget holders. I also love the atmosphere at the office and the grad/placement students all get on exceptionally well.

Quite well structured. There is no set time to be with any one department but NTU do make sure that you get the required experience needed to pass the apprenticeship scheme. Day-to-day you report to your line manager of the department you are situated in but you also have a grad-scheme line manager who oversees your development.

Lots. When it comes to studying I get one afternoon off work a week to study and I also receive the day before an exam off to revise. My line manager also provides me with lots of support in my role in management accounts. There is always someone you can call and ask for help if you are unsure- everyone was new once!

As mentioned above. NTU are generous with their time off surrounding studying needs. We get one afternoon a week off work to study and the day before an exam off to revise. I also have catch-up sessions with the Finance Project Officer who oversees where I am in my studies and sets attainable targets

Studying my ACCA provides me with the technical knowledge to understand the reason why I have to do certain tasks in specific ways. Staying organised in my studies also helps me stay organised with work. I have had to manage my time effectively which is a good life skill.

As I work at a University there are loads of extra-curricular opportunities for staff as we can take advantage of the facilities. There's sport (competitively or the 'play-for-fun' scheme), the gym, orchestra, choir, walking groups or networking events. As I started my role in July 2020 I haven't yet had the opportunity to attend many activities as it has been against government guidelines but I look forward to when I can.

Yes

A great place to work for personal development- NTU take care of their staff. The staff are also incredibly friendly and even whilst working from home I already feel part of the team.

You can never be over-prepared for an interview. Do as much research as you can about working in higher education and draw on relevant personal experiences which relate to the role you are applying for.