What makes an exceptional newly Qual?
In order to be considered ‘exceptional’ you must stand head and shoulders above the rest. Passing the exam is sometimes only half the battle – you will need enthusiasm, passion, and initiative to succeed.
Securing your first role is the one that can determine your future career progression; your personality and culture fit to a business are crucial at this level. Larger organisations are increasingly conducting various interview stages that include skills testing and competency based questions. It is worthwhile making sure you know all about the different styles of interviewing in order to be well prepared.
It’s all too easy to say 'I want to be an FD', but evaluating what skills gaps you need to resolve, and acting on those areas of development is all-important. You need to have a long-term and medium-term career plan towards a Finance or Managing Directorship. Start working on your network of contacts – maintain contact with your peers at training college and get to know the audit firm staff, banking staff and counterparts in other firms. This will build a solid career platform for later progression.
First time passes and a good degree from a well-respected university are obvious but great selling points for a newly qualified accountant. Strong A-level and GCSE results also bode well, with specialist skills such as IFRS, US GAAP, staff management, ERP systems experience and advanced Excel skills high up on the list of ‘attractive attributes’.
As well as having technical knowledge in place, an exceptional newly qualified will expand on their commercial knowledge through reading executive targeted press regularly, such as the FT. Sunday Times and the Economist.
For more information about Hays Senior Finance, go to our senior finance jobs and qualified accountant jobs section.
Notes to Editor
Hays Senior Finance has been developed from Hays’s established Accountancy & Financebusiness to provide a specialist service for qualified accountants and clients. Hays has a national network of experienced Senior Finance consultants. Hays Senior Finance recruits qualifieds accountants across commerce and industry, financial services, practice firms, public services and not for profit organisations at all levels, up to finance directors and partners in practice firms.
Hays Senior Finance team is a subdivision of Hays Plc, the FTSE 250 Company which employs7,753 staff operating from 376 offices in 27 countries across 17 specialisms. Hays Plc placed circa 68,000 candidates into permanent jobs and paid circa 46,000 temporary workers weekly during the year ending 30 June 07.
For further press information please contact:
Sarah Swailes
PR Executive
Hays Senior Finance
T: 020 7222 8575
E: sarah.swailes@hays.com
