This week we bid farewell to Jaskaran Mehat, who comes to the end of her placement year with us. As she returns to the University of Lincoln to complete her degree in Accountancy and Finance, we thank her for her enthusiasm, energy and the contribution she has made to our team over the last 13 months, whilst also wishing her the very best of luck for the final year of her degree and future career.
On leaving, Jaz provided us with some thoughts and reflections on her time with us. Her words as follows:
My Story:
My name is Jaz, and I have spent the last 13 months working at Shorts, from July 2024-July 2025, during the third year of my Accountancy and Finance degree at the University of Lincoln. Although my placement has not been exceptionally long, I have learnt so much about the industry and have gained and developed many key skills required for working in a professional environment.
Why I chose a placement year:
The main reason why I chose to pursue a placement year was the opportunity to gain practical experience in the accounting industry and to have the chance to apply my academic knowledge in the "real world" and to gain employment experience which would leave me better prepared for the professional world. Furthermore, I believe that a placement will help provide further clarity as to which career path I wish to pursue in the future.
Why Shorts for my placement:
Before starting my placement, I knew I wanted to work with a firm that not only had a strong reputation but also one that valued the development of its people and offered a broad range of experience. Shorts stood out to me not only because of its longstanding reputation, but also because of its innovative approach and collaborative culture. I knew I would be learning from professionals who were both technically excellent and committed to mentoring the next generation of accountants.
"There's a real team spirit throughout the firm, and regular training sessions, catch-ups, and social events made me feel like a valued member of the team rather than just a placement student."
What I learned during my time at Shorts:
Over the course of the last 13 months, I have had the opportunity to work in two departments (OMB and Corporate), each offering valuable insights and practical experience. This included:
- Accounts preparation - I gained hands-on experience of preparing financial statements and working papers for various entities. This involved reconciling accounts, identifying discrepancies and ensuring compliance with accounting standards. Through this, I developed good attention to detail and an understanding of the importance of accuracy in financial reporting.
- Digital software - I had the opportunity to work with accounting tools such as Xero, Sage and other cloud-based platforms. This experience improved my confidence in navigating modern accounting systems and understanding their impact on the efficiency and future of the profession.
- Audit fieldwork - I attended stocktakes, visited client sites and supported the audit team with tasks such as testing controls, verifying transactions, and documenting findings. These experiences helped me understand the key responsibilities of auditors, the importance of professional scepticism, and how thorough audit procedures contribute to the credibility and reliability of financial information.
What stood out to me the most was the level of trust and responsibility I was given. Rather than observing from the side-lines, I was actively involved in real client work from early on. The team was always supportive, and I was encouraged to ask questions, contribute ideas, and get involved wherever I could.
Supportive Culture:
One of the most rewarding aspects of my placement was the culture at Shorts. Everyone - from partners to new starters - was approachable, professional and genuinely supportive. There's a real team spirit throughout the firm, and regular training sessions, catch-ups, and social events made me feel like a valued member of the team rather than just a placement student.
(Pictured L-R: Stuart McDermid, James Snipe, Jaskaran Mehat, Louis Johnston and Katie Watson)
Impact on my future:
This placement has not only confirmed my interest in accountancy but has also given me a clearer sense of direction for my future. I've developed technical and interpersonal skills, built professional confidence, and gained insights into how accountancy firms operate beyond what I could have learned in a lecture theatre.
Final Thoughts:
I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Shorts Chartered Accountants for such a rewarding and enriching year. I've enjoyed coming to work each day, largely because of the amazing people I've had the experience of working with. I genuinely couldn't have asked for a better team and placement experience over the last 13 months.
Tags: Team News
