Introduction Flashcards
Tell me about yourself ?
So yeah ( insert name) i am a british pakistani from bradford and i chose to study biomedical science at the university of Bradford now the reason i chose to study this course was that i was unsure on what career path to take so i thought you know what why dont i study something i actually enjoy.
Now a really interesting fact about me is that during my university commitemnets i decieded to open my takeaway business. This did end up coindining with the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown. As youll be aware business at the time were struggling so top open my own wasnt a decision i took lighlty However ultimately it was an oppertunity i couldnt pass up on. It allowed me to lead and manage others whilst i simultaniusly developed my communication skills as i served a diverse community.
Presently i am a Laboratory Analyst. i joined as a junior analyst and quiet quickly i progressed to becoming a senion analyst. This promotion was a performance promotion. The role itself is client facing but has also has allowed me to develop and utlize my data handling and analytical skills on a daily basis.
My career experinces so far are a testemnet to the type of individual i am. Comitted to my chosen persuit whilst always looking towards how i can develop my self.
This extends into my personal life into my interest and hobbies where i have been the captain for my sunday league football team for over 7 years now. Playing and watching football is something i really enjoy so I ensure its something i take part in on a weekly basis. Ive also taken an interest in blockchain technology and more recently AI driven technology as i understand the importance of keeping up to date with new and emerging technologies. For example in my own buisness i decieded to allow customers to pay through cryptocurrency as i wanted to utlize the quick and low processing fees that came with it.
Why the career change ?
Yeah if I’m honest with you studying to become a chartered accountant wasn’t initially on my career list however what did peak my interest was the fact that from conversations in my personal circle as well through finding posts on LinkedIn I came to understand the accounting industry and the graduate program. I became aware of the key achievements such as peoples intials acceptance onto the programmes or promotions within it or their success when it came to examination aspect.
What really intrigued me was that a large percentage of the conversations I had, two key aspects were continually highlighted. Firstly the progression structure and secondly the training opportunities. As someone who wants to change careers these two aspects really aligned with me.
But then I thought what business does a Laboratory analyst have in the accounting industry. After an investigation piece into this I quickly came to the realization that their were a list of transferable skills that I had been utilizing and developing on a daily basis.
Some of the key ones being the ability to communicate effectively with clients or other departments to obtain key information.
Or the ability to ethier work independently and in a team towards completing and managing workloads ensuring specific deadlines are met.
Or the ability to handle and analyze a set of data or tests
Ultimately what really sold it to me was a conversation I had with a drama graduate who had a secured a position on a graduate scheme. She outlined how even though she had little transferable skills she was able to make that transition and didnt feel overhwhelmed.
It’s funny because the more I research and discovered about the career the more it became a no brainer. Id be exposed to a range of clients whilst having the framework to progress and upskill myself as id obtain a well recognized qualification, the ACA. And most importantly id be personally persuing a career that Id be proud of and want to go far within.
Why the specific firm ?
So if I am honest with you most top accountancy firm will provide excellent training opportunities, varied experiences, diverse teams and the ability to have excellent progression and id say this is what interests me about the industry as a whole however what did really draw me to apply to X company
I’d say there’s a few specific reasons.
What really backed the idea that BDO is a company id be proud to work at is through networking with current trainees through LinkedIn I don’t think there’s a better way to find out what working life is like than asking current trainees as there’s only so much you can retrieve from online. The insight I received from these individuals was incredibly valuable. They spoke highly on the culture and working environment which really sealed the deal for me.
Why the Audit Service Line ?
I chose to persure a career in the audit service line as what I came to find is that its mix of other service lines and what i mean by that is even though youre an auditor youll do some form of consulting because youll have to manage relationships with clients, idenitify areas for improvemnet and give feedback. Youll also have exposure to tax as well due to having to reviewing certain taxes such as PAYE, VAT, Corporation Tax as part of the financial statements and definentely accounting because the main part of the role is reviewing the financial statements. Audit is great a area as id gain a hollisitc understanding of other service lines as well.
Id also say from a personal standpoint i felt audit would suit my current skillset. One of them being communication. My role as a scientist was a client facing role. I would have to a manage relationships with client as well as other departments in order to retreive samples for testing. Im exicted at the oppertunties to build on this skill through presenting to senior managment and through meeting clients on a face to face basis.
Ive also devoloped the ability to work effectively independently as Id often manage my own workloads to meet specific deadlines. I also had the oppertunity to work in larger teams so i have also developed the ability to work collabratively in a manner which will lead to the work being done to the highest quality. Im excited at the oppertunity to progress both skills
Also lastly what i found the most intreguing was the systematic approach that is in place for audits, it shares alot of similairities to the approach that would be taken when in a laboratory. The idea that a set of data or within audit the finacial accounts have specific tests perfomed on them this would be to ensure that it fits within certain parametres or in audit we would be taking a look at the materiality. These values would then ultimately provide resolution to the whole testing.
What specific reasons make you stand out from other candidates ?
Why should we hire you ?
Why do you think youre the right person for the job ?
Id also say from a personal standpoint i felt audit would suit my current skillset. One of them being communication. My role as a scientist was a client facing role. I would have to a manage relationships with client as well as other departments in order to retreive samples for testing. Im exicted at the oppertunties to build on this skill through presenting to senior managment and through meeting clients on a face to face basis.
Ive also devoloped the ability to work effectively independently as Id often manage my own workloads to meet specific deadlines. I also had the oppertunity to work in larger teams so i have also developed the ability to work collabratively in a manner which will lead to the work being done to the highest quality. Im excited at the oppertunity to progress both skills
Also lastly it is less of a skill and more of a discovery this is that the approach that was is in place for carrying out audits, shared a lot of similairities to the approach that would be taken when in a laboratory. The idea that a set of data or within audit the finacial accounts have specific tests perfomed on them this would be to ensure that it fits within certain parametres or in audit we would be taking a look at the materiality. Ultimately providing meaning and analyses to any testing that had taken place.
The role as a analyst did require me to manage my own work load and prioritise straight away. The result of this is that I got a sense of ownership over my own work, and a level of independence from the start.
The ability to juggle a number of priorities which is needed on the program.
