Zac Moughton
Audit Junior I Second Year Graduate Trainee
History I University of Lancaster
Internship
Job Offer
Start date
ACA Qualified
My Story
What first inspired you to pursue a career in accountancy?
As a student, I did some financial services work experience at my godmother’s firm on the Isle of Man. I enjoyed it, so I organised a summer internship with another firm and started looking at graduate audit positions after that.
What appealed to you about SRLV and its audit course?
When I saw SRLV on LinkedIn, I was still slightly unsure about what I wanted to do as a career, but when I joined, I liked the relaxed culture here. I have a friend at another accountancy firm, who works late nights, and I wouldn’t want to trade places with him!
SRLV’s audit course is also four years (instead of three), which allows you to choose when you’re ready to take your exams, rather than having a day chosen for you. This gives graduates the flexibility to study at their own pace and plan around anything unexpected. Alongside having a career, SRLV understands that ‘life happens’ and it feels reassuring to work for a company like this, which thinks and cares about its people.
How did you find the application process?
My immediate impression from the assessment day was how personable and polite everyone was and how easy SRLV’s team were to chat to. My final interview was at the office a few weeks later. The only interviews I’d done previously were online and as I hadn’t done that many and it was my first in-person interview, I felt very nervous beforehand. I remember going in and feeling immediately at ease; it was an enjoyable interview and more like a nice conversation. It’s funny looking back at the shift I went through from feeling intense nervousness about the interview to being completely fine, but I know many graduates experience this, so hopefully it’s reassuring for others to hear.
Do you have any advice for the assessment day?
I didn’t realise how important the assessment day lunch was, as everyone gets to meet and chat with SRLV’s staff. Having the confidence to talk and get to know their team influences things, as does getting on well with your fellow attendees. I know now that SRLV places a lot of emphasis on building relationships with clients, so they look for these skills in their graduates. It’s not just about academic achievement.
Alongside having a career, SRLV understands that ‘life happens’ and it feels reassuring to work for a company like this, which thinks and cares about its people.
Zac Moughton | Audit Junior I Second Year Graduate Trainee
My Training
When you first joined SRLV, was the training as you expected?
To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect! Initially, graduates are given time to focus on revision and getting their exams done, which is good as other firms don’t always allow for this. Graduates are eased into the work side of things gradually here.
What sort of work can you expect to do as a first-year trainee?
To start with, I was asked to help with smaller workbook tasks. You can be working with anyone in the team, but often it’s graduates who are a year, or even a couple of years, ahead of you in training. All staff are encouraged to ask questions here (whether they’re a graduate or not) and everyone helps each other out, so rather than asking the person who’s given you a task, you can ask the person sitting next to you. The audit partners, Linda and Richard, sit out in the office so graduates get to spend time with them on client work as well, and similarly, with managers and directors.
What sort of clients do graduates work with?
The first client I helped audit was a book publisher. Most of our clients are in London, but I had the chance to do a site visit in Ipswich, which was a great first experience. I also worked with restaurant clients and clothes retailers early in my training and have also had experience of music royalties, so it’s really varied and interesting.
Can you work from home?
New graduates are expected to work in the office Monday to Friday from 9.30am-5.30pm, but there is some flexibility. After six months, there’s more opportunity to work from home if you want to; however, to be honest, I like to be in the office as I know the team will be there if I need any help.
My life at SRLV now
What’s your career progression been like so far?
I’ve certainly noticed a ‘step up’ in responsibility over the past year. When I joined in September, I was mainly helping other staff, but by Christmas I was getting booked out for client work that’s usually done by Juniors. Graduates are only given tasks that they can handle, so over time, I’ve been involved with larger group audits, as well as simpler, single company audits.
I didn’t know anything about how to do an audit when I first started my training. Day-to-day, you don’t realise how much you’re learning, but when I look back over the past couple of months to where I am now, the difference is very noticeable.
What’s the social life like?
It’s good and starts from when you first join. You’ll have the chance to meet other graduates and staff at SRLV’s summer party and there’s another social soon after you start in September. We felt welcomed very quickly and there’s also a large group of interns on their placement year from university.
There are a mix of social events throughout the year, which can vary according to the activities staff want to do. In my first year, for example, these included Oktoberfest, sixes cricket, clay pigeon shooting, bingo, pub outings and rooftop socials. It’s also very inclusive for anyone who doesn’t drink.
Where would you like to take your career next?
To be honest, I’m not completely sure, but I’m learning as much as I can at this stage. Training in audit is a good place to start and I’m getting to see other areas of accounting that I could specialise in further down the line.
What do you like most about working at SRLV?
There are many things, but the people and work environment really stand out for me, and I feel lucky to be doing my training here.