27 Aug What it’s like to be a graduate accountant
JACAL’s graduate accountant from University of Auckland, Will Elston, explains what it’s like to be fresh out of university.
The transition from university to the workforce has always been a widely discussed topic, personally I never made much of it and thought that it would be very manageable. However, having been through it now I can safely say that it is a big change and I would advise graduates coming through to not underestimate it.
The freedoms of University are quickly taken away and replaced with a fairly rigid structure and expectation, although I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing because after the initial shock you start to build your own routine and ways of overcoming challenges that get thrown at you on a daily basis, which ultimately develops not only your career but you as a person.
After nearly a year with JACAL, I am still very much in the development phase and the team here have helped me a lot. The team are all very accessible and willing to drop what they’re doing to lend a hand, which is something I firmly believe I wouldn’t have had access to elsewhere. All of this has provided me with a very solid grounding whereby I now feel like I am able to continue to take my development to the next level by beginning my Chartered Accountancy exams.
In talking to my friends from different firms it’s become evident to me that they get thrown into CA exams quite early on, I don’t necessarily think this is a good thing because everyone develops at different rates so it ends up having a seriously detrimental effect on those who are not ready for the added pressure. JACAL has enabled me to be able to gather a knowledge base and experience in managing my workload before beginning my exams which I firmly believe will stand me in good stead because working full time whilst undertaking reasonably high level study is a tough ask for anyone let alone when you’re new to the workforce.
Lastly, I’m very thankful and glad I took the opportunity to work at JACAL as it is a great firm with an awesome bunch of people who I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and build relationships with, I’m definitely looking forward to what the future holds!
Will Elston, graduated from University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce.