Shareena

Office: Manchester
University: 
Degree: 

In what ways do UHY Hacker Young support your development?

Training to be an accountant is rewarding but it is certainly not easy. There are days when I have a heavy workload during the day and when I get home there is studying to be done. However, there is plenty of support from managers and more experienced colleagues to make it just that little bit easier. Each trainee is assigned a line manager who oversees their development so there is always someone I can talk to about my progress or any problems I may need to resolve.

At the moment I have just completed my first external exam for the AAT for which I was fully supported with an appropriate training package and study leave. I have regular meetings with an AAT assessor and my training manager to ensure that I can cope with the study program and that I am meeting targets for assignments. In addition, the training manager is always available to talk to if you have any queries or problems. One of their key roles involves ensuring that each trainee is able to cope with their professional studies. There are many trainees at different stages of their professional exams so there is always somebody available to talk to or to help you with your exams or your practical work.

Why UHY Hacker Young?

UHY Hacker Young has a wide client base ranging from sole traders to limited companies so you can gain experience in different situations. As well as dealing with a lot of different types and size of businesses, UHY Hacker Young gives you the opportunity to work in different departments. AAT trainees are seconded to different departments in their first year so there is a lot to learn about the various functions of an accountancy firm. At Manchester there are three main departments: Audit & Accounts, Tax and Turnaround & Recovery (T&R). Currently I am working in the Audit & Accounts department after which I will be working in the Tax department and then T&R.

Do you work late into the evenings or are you home in time for 'Hollyoaks'?

At the moment I work a fairly regular 9 – 5.30 day, however, people in more senior roles working in a more demanding environment, for example, being involved in the finalisation of accounts to meet specific deadlines, are required to work longer hours. As I gain more experience I expect to be involved in similar work and my working day to be less regular – but at the moment although I may be ’home in time for Hollyoaks’ I have study to do so, although I may not be working late in the office, I am still working.