Hi, my name is Tom. Just before my graduation, I reached out to Beaufort Chancery in hopes of building my professional experience through the SME Internship Scheme.
They were very open to the idea, and the process of getting them on board was surprisingly quick and easy to follow. They are a well-established accounting firm, which offers specialised services to sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies.
The role.
I had the opportunity to join Beaufort Chancery as an Assistant Accountant. The business experienced significant growth and the role was very ‘all hands-on deck’ from the moment I joined. This was perfect as I was able to learn on the job and feel like a part of the team. I always felt my work was valued and I could observe the effects of my work on the team.
My main job during the internship was to ensure the team was running as efficiently as possible. As Beaufort Chancery is a medium-sized business, I had plenty of exposure to senior management, and I regularly received valuable feedback on my work. The tasks I took part in included:
- Preformed balance sheet reconciliations and recorded daily business transactions into the system
- Assisted in preparing financial documents such as invoices, bills, and accounts payable and receivable
- Maintained contact with clients to ensure their needs were met and their accounts were in suitable standing
- Reviewed and maintained storage files for vendors, clients, and employees
- Worked and became familiar with various accounting software including ClearBooks, BTCsoftware and VT.
What did you learn?
As much as the internship was challenging and time-constrained, I had plenty of opportunities to learn more about the industry and network with a range of staff with decades of experience. The work allowed me to develop my communication, problem-solving, time management, and team-working skills. Undoubtedly, these soft skills will prove to be incredibly valuable for my career going forward.
The SME Internship Scheme is a fantastic initiative, and I would recommend any University of Bristol student to take the opportunity. Small businesses are always looking for bright students who can help their business grow. I found accounting to be a good fit for my skill set, and I’m looking forward to seeing where my career might take me.
Get involved in the SME Internship Scheme
As Tom found, work experience is a great way to improve your understanding of a role, develop your skills and earn money.
Interested? We are now advertising internship opportunities through mycareer.
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