I joined the Accountants For the Future scheme in September 2004. My previous experience was with an aggregates firm in the private sector, where I gained skills in commercial project research and development and general business. These skills have been useful to me in my placements as a trainee, even though my roles have been quite different.

 

My route through the scheme has involved working with many different people on a wide variety of projects. I have worked on closing the accounts at year end at Islington Council, and have been responsible for explaining complex changes to pension policy to Hackney Council's Pensions Sub-Committee. Most recently, I have been working with a team of management consultants to implement a change project that will affect the Metropolitan Police's financial and resources infrastructure. Being able to change placements every six months and see the workings of three organisations is a real strength of the scheme.

 

Along the way I have learnt a great deal about public sector financing and policy, gained first hand experience of answering Audit Commission queries and contributed directly to the final published accounts. I have learnt more about how to communicate change effectively and have improved my presentation and group facilitation skills.

Studying towards a CIPFA qualification has been interesting and also relevant to my work, and I am pleased with how quick my progress has been. Although juggling work and study has been a real challenge, we are well supported, with day release, revision courses and study leave for each exam, and our managers are also conscious of our study commitments.

 

I am now in my final year of study, and I have just secured a permanent position with one of the three organisations in the scheme. It has been hard to decide which direction to go in, but seeing so many different aspects of finance in the last two and a half years has definitely widened my horizons and encouraged me to pursue a career in public sector finance.