The Exeter’s Post

Where do good internal auditors come from? Increasingly, the answer is “everywhere” – all parts of the business and at different stages in their careers. As the scope of organisations’ assurance requirements widens, and requests for other forms of input and management support increase, internal audit teams must draw on a variety of experiences and expertise. A diverse mix of internal auditors has never been more important. By “growing their own” internal audit talent, chief audit executives (CAEs) can search a wider pool, knowing that recruits will get a thorough grounding in internal audit theory and practical skills. Trainees learn on the job, so contribute to the team from the moment they join. Aptitude and attitude are more important than experience and professional skills. Read more about the value of #InternalAuditApprenticeships in Audit & Risk Magazine: https://bit.ly/49nVkuW #NationalApprenticeshipWeek2024

Over the past few days I've reviewed almost 2000 applications for our Risk & Compliance Management Trainee Programme, and what's clear to me is that there is some incredible talent out there at the moment waiting to be snapped up! However, there seems to be common mistakes in lots of these brilliant CVs, so i thought I'd put some helpful ideas out into the ether! If you're a grad, or have recently graduated these are my top tips for getting noticed amongst the masses: 👀 Make the relevant stuff super visible: if the job is asking for a certain set of educational or work skills - they should be top of the page and eye catching! 📅 Work in reverse chronological order: if you've been employed from 2016 -> now, I want to see your most recent experience first, especially for grads. 📖 Ensure your CV is in the right language: if the job specifies that it's looking for business English, make sure you apply with an English CV (the same goes for any language requirements!). 👊 Be punchy: if you've improved something, over achieved or smashed a goal...write about it! Be concise, include the figures, shout about it! * Also personal preference but I really hate Comic Sans.

For the past 2 months, I have completed an audit internship at BDO in East Africa This experience offered a comprehensive and priceless exposure to the accounting domain. During the internship, I was able to put the theoretical information to use while going out into the field to conduct audit projects, which improved my practical abilities and understanding of auditing procedures. The practical aspect of the internship deepened by understanding different organisations' financial systems, internal controls, and overall operations. During my internship I worked on the following tasks: • Documentation Review: Conducted detailed examination of financial documents to ensure accuracy and completeness. • Testing Internal Controls: Assisting in the evaluation of internal controls to ensure compliance with regulations and company policies. • Sampling and Testing: Participating in the selection of samples for testing. Conducting tests on financial transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance. • Financial Statement Analysis: learned how to interpret financial statements and compared them with industry benchmarks and prior periods. • Risk Assessment: Identifying and evaluating internal controls/risks that could lead to financial misstatements.  • Compliance Checks: Ensuring that the company's financial practices comply with relevant laws and regulations. From this internship I gained/enhanced the following skills: • Attention to Detail: Being precise whilst reviewing and verifying financial information, documents.  • Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze and interpret financial data. • Critical Thinking skills: Applied critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address audit issues and recommend improvements. • Communication skills: Worked closely with clients to gather necessary information, understand their business processes, and assess potential risks.

The three things that are proving to be the most enjoyable about the third year as a trainee accountant: 1. That introductory email where you are referred to as the ‘audit senior who will be leading the audit team’ Listen, the honor and privilege that comes with being cc’d on those complex matters emails ? - absolutely underrated. 2. The new found (not sure from where) ability to comprehend what is required and what needs to be done in the context of those complex matters emails? It feels like newly discovered superpowers - you may need to see a seamstress about the design of your cape. 3. The ability to give support to the team, by providing logical solutions that stem from your own prior experiences on the job. The rest? Nothing a good laugh or cry can’t fix (yes, you might have already done both, possibly, a greater deal of the latter.. but, we move! :)

If you're serious about becoming a "Chartered Accountant", you're going to love these tips. Balancing Studies and Career Growth as a CA Intern 🌱 1. Plan and Prioritize - Create a structured schedule for work and study. - Identify key tasks and deadlines to manage your time effectively. 2. Efficient Study Techniques - Utilize active reading, summarization, and mnemonic devices. - Break down complex topics and create a study plan aligned with work. 3. Seek Support and Mentorship - Reach out to your principal, supervisors, mentors, and colleagues for guidance. Always ask questions. - Cultivate relationships with fellow interns for support. 4. Stay Organized - Keep track of assignments, deadlines, and study materials. - Use digital tools or planners to stay organized and reduce stress. 5. Continuous Learning Mindset - Apply knowledge from studies to your intern role and vice versa. - Embrace a mindset of continuous learning for professional growth. 6. Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care - Take regular breaks to recharge and avoid burnout. - Engage in activities promoting self-care, exercise, and hobbies. Apply at SBM & Co | Chartered Accountants for your CA Internship. Email your resume at: nishchit@sbmco.in admin@sbmco.in Remember, balancing work and studies as an intern is an investment in your future success. Share your experiences and insights to inspire and support fellow interns on their path to professional growth. #articleship #intern #audit #tax #continuouslearning #charteredaccountants

Today in our trainee bootcamp we covered 2 big Cs; Communication and Commerciality. Both really interesting concepts to introduce to the trainees. Communication: Why is it so difficult? Realistically communication is just speaking, listening and understanding the other person, so why do we find this so hard in a professional environment. Today we used the workshop to test various emails and teams messages, along with co-pilot to suggest improvements to develop their professionalism. Commerciality: What is our product? In the accountancy world its very difficult to identify our overall product but in essence it is just time; and the value of that time depends on the knowledge of the person. The trainees now have a better understanding of how they can support their teams and the wider company in a commercial sense.

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞🌟 Attending board meetings is always special for any CS management trainee. While it may seem routine for those with 3-4 years of compliance experience, but for a trainee, It's not just a task; it's a celebration, it’s a festival of knowledge and insight.✨ I understand the importance of confidentiality, but every CS trainee should have the chance to attend a board meeting. Let a CS trainee attend a board meeting, and see the change in his attitude toward work.🚀 When I attended my first board meeting, I was smiling all day, I called all my friends and flaunted that even my name will be recorded in the minutes. 😇 I still remember my first board meeting experience and I was amazed by 1) how the Compliance team conducted the meeting, the planning, the execution, everything was just perfect!!!!! 2) the collaborative approach between the compliance team and finance team. 3) Witnessing the CFO effortlessly tackling questions from the Board of Directors I think there should be a practice where the best-performing trainee of the quarter gets the opportunity to attend the board meeting. This would motivate trainees to work hard and learn extensively. Let's empower our trainees! 💼🚀 #BoardMeeting #Cstrainee #CareerDevelopment #icsi #cs #corporate #internship #work #job #recruiters #respect #caarticleship #CS #icai #icsi #trainee #csinternship

Since June, I have been working on various projects at Alif & Co Chartered Accountants, London Branch, as a Trainee Accountant. I am fortunate to have a very friendly and supportive trainer who has been instrumental in helping me complete these tasks accurately. The learning process has been much easier thanks to his guidance, and I am deeply grateful for his invaluable support. During my internship, I have gained experience in BANK RECONCILIATION, CREATING ACCOUNTS in accounting software, INVOICING, PAYROLL, TAX, VAT submission, VAT claims, TRANSACTION checking, and many other tasks. (Please note: I have not yet completed my internship, so there is still much to learn in the days ahead). As I prepare to enter the competitive job market in the UK, I recognize the challenges ahead. Observing many students on LinkedIn, I see that success often follows numerous failures. There are rarely first-attempt or overnight successes; instead, repeated failures teach different methods to try again. As Iman Gadzhi wisely said, "First or overnight success will build ego, and slow success builds character." I believe that I am gathering the experience and qualities necessary to pursue my dream. Sooner or later, it will come to fruition, In Sha Allah. Please keep me in your prayers. <3

Navigate the world of Finance and Accounting as a Management Trainee? This is for you.

MY INTERNSHIP EXPERIANCE IN AMARANADHA REDDY & CO Internship at Amaranadha Reddy & Co has been a great experience, an essence of accounting profession for me. The first week, I was oriented about the firm’s mission, values, history, and services which gave me a strong ground to practice on. Interaction with my colleague and dealing with different departments increased my awareness about the firm and I got better professionalization. Typical activities at the workplace during the first days entailed trying to understand organizational chart, reporting cases of computer problems, and other general procedural requirements at the company. One of the strenuous tasks that I was exposed to during my internship was to learn Tally. ERP 9 and Tally Prime 3 both software is integrated with advance accounting system. I acquired data entry skills, and record-keeping, report writing skills, and skills for preparing and analyzing simple financial statements as required for my responsibilities. The internship also established a great deal of concern with GST laws and regulations. I am dealing with registration to the GST and creation e-invoice and filing the GST returns both practically and theoretically. This phase refined the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that are found in a business environment. Finally, in the semester’s last weeks, I covered general accounting and audit policies including the preparation of financial statements and audit work. This was indeed one of the most useful experiences in that I got a first-hand feel of real-life financial feel. All in all, I had a good experience working at Amaranadha Reddy & Co, and feel equipped to pursue the profession in the field of finance and accounting. I acquired important competencies, vast comprehension of the profession, orientation, and assurance; thus, it was an unforgettable and fruitful experience. I THANK AMARANADHA REDDY & CO AND PES UNIVERSITY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY