How did you get your job at haysmacintyre?

After applying for the role, I had to pass a face to face interview and was then invited to attend the assessment centre. This involved a team building exercise and a networking session which allowed me to get to know some of the members of the Firm before being invited to join the Firm. I thought the whole process was both relevant to the job and useful as a learning experience.

Why did you choose Audit?

I chose audit because of the amount of scope and exposure we receive to different companies and individuals. We have the opportunity to audit several different types of companies in varying industries giving us a wider understanding of the business environment and how firms operate. This allows you to have an all-round experience with several aspects of the business world.

What’s it like working at haysmacintyre?

Haysmacintyre is a welcoming, supportive and exciting Firm to work for due to both the range of clients in the Firm’s portfolio and the nature and culture of the staff members. Everyone is very engaging and welcoming allowing people to develop their understanding of accountancy in a supportive and friendly environment while also building strong and rewarding relationships.

What are your main duties/roles in your current position?

My main duties are supporting the relevant audit team by completing income, expenditure and cash and bank testing. I am also responsible for discussing the relevant organisation’s control processes and determining whether or not they have changed year on year and if they are sufficient. I am also responsible for assisting the audit team members with any ad-hoc tasks they may have.

What skills have you found to be particularly useful in this sector/profession?

I have found communication skills to be the most useful skill in this profession. Most of the issues we encounter can often by solved by either discussing them with your team and/or speaking to the client. This allows you to gain a greater understanding of the purpose of the work being performed and also develops relationships easier with both your team and the client.

How do you see yourself progressing from your current position in the next 2-3 years?

In the next 2-3 years, I plan to progress through the graduate programme into more senior roles completing all of the required training and exams that I need to continue to succeed. I plan to make the most out of the many learning opportunities that I will have throughout the programme in order to maximise my development.

What challenges have you come across and what support have you received?

In the early stages of my role, I found it challenging to balance the workload that comes with both the job and the requirements of the ACA qualification. However, I have found that this becomes routine and easier to manage the more experienced you become. I have received a lot of support from both the Firm and the tutors for ACA which has helped me to progress to my current position.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to work at haysmacintyre?

The main piece of advice I would give is to put in a lot of effort getting to know as many people you can and to network with as many people possible from all functions of the Firm. This will allow you to develop a strong network of connections which will make your life at haysmacintyre more enjoyable and successful.

What is your daily/weekly schedule generally like?

Due to the number of clients we work with, the schedule depends on where we’re booked for a specific week/month. If we are booked to a client, we would work through the week on all the required matters and finalise the audit working papers at the end of the week. If we are booked to a manager in the office, we would assist with any tasks they provide us with which can range from anything to reviewing accounts to finalising audit fieldwork from the office. Personally, I find that the variety in the schedule is one of the best aspects of the role.