Accounting Controls Undergraduate Review

You will report into the Controls Accountant and contribute to the production and follow up of a number of key monthly control balance sheet reconciliations to support the product portfolio and the investigation of balances and reconciling items. Supporting the Accounting Controls team members with the emphasis on learning the financial products we support, and the systems used. This will create the opportunity for cross functional working with other departments and stakeholder management is essential.

My interpersonal skills have developed over the course of the year, having worked in the same spaces as directors and managers in industry - seeing how they interact and work. This has allowed me to collaborate with people at different levels and given huge insight into what it is to be an accountant at VWFS. While I have become more rounded in general as a result of my placement year, you never stop developing Excel capability!

You are treated like one of the team, and given tasks an Assistant Controls Accountant would have, with less responsibility - but in the context of a year's placement I was pleasantly surprised with how much responsibility was given to me in a lot of tasks, while a few tasks are not hugely impactful (like most jobs). There is a fair bit of independent working, but great support is given and help is always there .

LifeSkills sessions are ran throughout the placement that focus on lots of things like powerful presentations, email etiquette, Excel, personal brand etc. which have in truth accelerated my development, where I now feel headstrong in applying to graduate jobs in the coming year, as I feel like I have the necessary competencies to start in my desired career path, however we will see! Industry knowledge from this scheme is interesting and beneficial for automotive careers.

VWFS is trying its best to be inclusive, e.g. the reciprocal partnership scheme to talk about workplace challenges, and has a friendly atmosphere. There is a well-being centre, which I have taken full use of, with the health consultations on offer to keep track of my physical and mental health. In short, everyone I have come across is happy to do an overview or help in some way, once the ice has been broken.

I have enjoyed my placement having moved to a new area and had the independence of a full time job. My team has invested a lot of time into my development, in the contexts of industry / on the job learning, and the company provides undergraduates lots of opportunities for personal development - both crucial parts of my placement and by extension have lead to my enjoyment. This year I wanted to develop, which I have done.

Yes

VWFS look after their undergraduates and can be a strong stepping stone for early careers in lots of different business areas. It is crucial that your personality comes out in the recruitment stages, so try and be open minded, well rehearsed and above all, yourself. The hiring-managers are human at the end of the day, which means they are friendly but also give and take; be the person that you would want to work with.