At Shorts, we are passionate about helping members of our team develop new skills and progress their careers, whether they are just starting out or have years of experience in accountancy already. We also offer work experience placements for younger professionals and students.
This July, we welcomed Sophie to join us for a week for some valuable work experience. As she wanted to gain a lot of insight into how a chartered accountancy firm works, she worked with several members of our team across many departments, from reception, to marketing, to wealth management. After spending a week with us, she decided to write a blog about what she learned and what’s it like working with the Shorts team.
Monday
"My week started at the front desk with staff from reception. Here I was shown how to do small tasks like sorting the fruit and the post, I then helped to check the location of some files. In the afternoon, a lot of time was spent working on the laptop to pre-register documents and files. I had never had the opportunity to use a scanner before, so I found it beneficial to complete this task and gained a new skill in doing so."
Tuesday
"On day two, I visited the Sheffield office to work with the marketing team. Having been interested in not only finding out what they did, but also how they did it, I enjoyed spending time with them. I learned about digital marketing and content writing. With this knowledge, I completed my own blog about A-level psychology since they wanted my work to be useful, but also relevant to me and my life.
With guidance, after a little research and planning, I began drafting this blog. This furthered my understanding of how research would be applied in a genuine situation, and how they use it to the company’s advantage."
Wednesday
"I was also working with marketing on day three, this time back in the Chesterfield office, accompanied by Lottie the dog. I was shown how to use some software that is used by their graphic designers to make graphics for their advertisements in magazines and social media posts. For example, I was allowed to use the software independently and I familiarized myself by re-designing some pre-existing graphics.
Afterwards, the team had to attend some catch ups in which I sat and listened to discover what sort of details were discussed. Throughout the day, we followed Lottie around with a camera in the hopes of obtaining enough content for a potential TikTok video. For her, this consisted of her usual rummaging in bins for snacks and running around the office floor seeking attention."
Thursday
"On Thursday, I observed a meeting between a client and an adviser, which I found interesting. I enjoyed this because I was intrigued as to what was spoken about as an adviser and so it broadened my previously minimal knowledge on the role of the wealth management area here at Shorts."
Friday
"For my last day I continued to shadow a wealth management team, with a break in the middle to observe another meeting with an adviser. Overall, my experience at Shorts was informative and enjoyable and I appreciated the opportunity to gain an insight into the different aspects of the business."
Would you like to work at Shorts?
Every year, a number of apprenticeships and postgraduate placements are available at Shorts, through our program of continual recruitment.
We are an ICAEW and ACCA approved training employer, but our placements do not only apply to those looking for a career in accountancy. We also provide training for careers in payroll, administration, IT, Tax, and Private Client.
Tags: Team News
