Silvia Ehigiator - BSc Finance, Accounting and Management with placement year
Silvia Ehigiator completed a placement year from September 2023 to 2024 with Grant Thornton UK LLP in Chelmsford, part of a global network of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. During her placement, Silvia worked as part of the audit team reviewing financial statements, internal controls, and compliance with accounting standards to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Silvia’s responsibilities included examining financial records, carrying out audit tests, attending stock-takes and completing audit files. She also engaged directly with clients to understand their business and build relationships, enabling her to network with various stakeholders, gain knowledge of many sectors, and collaborate to find answers to challenging problems.
Training, development and support
To help develop her skills while on placement, Silvia took part in monthly training sessions available to all associates. Before beginning each job, she met with her manager to outline the areas she would be working on.
She said: “After each audit, I would seek feedback and discuss areas for improvement. I also had monthly welfare calls with the Placements team at Nottingham University Business School where we had open and honest conversations. They also kept me up to date with university-related news.”
Challenges and solution
Silvia faced several challenges during her placement, including managing multiple audit engagements and tight deadlines. She explained: “I learned that if I was feeling stuck or stressed, it was best to communicate with the team and ask for help when needed. Conversations with the managers of both audit engagements helped me understand their expectations and create a work tracker to monitor my progress.”
Dealing with client delays was another challenge: “I had to remind myself that client delays in audits are normal as they also face tight deadlines” she added. “It was important to keep my manager updated on my progress, as they could provide guidance on prioritising tasks. I also took the initiative to follow-up with clients.”
Key skills development
Silvia developed a range of key skills during her placement, including the importance of teamwork in promoting work efficiency. This involved being proactive, coordinating with other team members and offering support in various areas as needed.
She said: “I identified issues and their causes using my problem-solving and analytical skills to recommend a course of action.”
Advice for future placement students
Summarising her placement, Silvia said:
The placement helped me with the experience of applying for jobs and interview practice. I gained more technical and transferable skills to take into the final year of my degree and help me succeed in graduate role applications. These skills include planning and effective time management, teamwork, interpersonal and communication skills.
For students considering doing a placement year, even if you think you lack experience, go for it. Employers are aware of this and want to help you gain that experience. Research the company and role thoroughly and speak to students in similar positions for advice on the application and interview process.
Once on placement, never be afraid to ask questions - you’re there to learn. No question is a bad question.
The good news is they’ve offered me a graduate job so I’ll be going back in September after graduation.
