A placement year at Carpenter Box: Eiman Hussain
Placement student, Eiman Hussain, gives us an insight into a placement year at Carpenter Box.
Eiman has been on a placement with Carpenter Box since June 2022 and works in the Crawley office. She is currently working towards her degree with hopes of becoming a chartered accountant.
My name is Eiman, and I am an undergraduate studying Accounting & Finance and Economics at the University of Kent. I chose to do a placement with my course to give me an insight into what skills and responsibilities would come with the field I am studying. I wanted to gain exposure and more experience to what is expected in the industry as well as apply my knowledge to practical life.
When did I start my placement and how long will it last?
I started on 6th June 2022 and I will be finishing on 15th September 2023. Originally, this was a year long however I had asked for an extension so I could carry on learning the significant skills needed to thrive at university.
What are your key roles during the placement?
I have rotated between three different departments – Audit, BSG (Business services group) and Tax. Each department has different roles and responsibilities
Audit
My key role was to ensure letters were completed and to plan for the audit we were carrying out. Additionally, I was responsible for reviewing the working papers on-site to ensure they accurately matched the evidence we had. E.G. making sure that the bank reconciles.
Tax
This a lot of learning which I loved! Some of my roles included assisting managers with report writing for a client, carrying out research for different clients with different tax issues, reading valuations, working out CGT Liabilities etc.
BSG
This is where I have worked for most of my time in my placement. My role in this department is to make up the accounts. I would usually check if the client has given bank statements or if they are on software such as Xero. We then analyse what is made up in the trial balance and then adjust some numbers accordingly. We then put the figures in CCH which generates some draft accounts, which we tweak according to what the business does. Lastly, we complete the corporation tax for the client. Other key roles I have undertaken are completing some VAT returns, personal tax returns and calls for HMRC.
What skills have you learnt so far?
The skills I have developed during my time here at Carpenter Box:
- Confidence – Studying and working in practice is very different. I felt as if everything I had learned was different to what work is. The practice has made me much more confident and has made me link this back to my studies – it has also helped me choose my options for next year when back at university.
- Problem-solving – This is a key skill that I developed. An example of this is sometimes when certain figures do not agree with what it should be and I have had to find differences. I have learnt how to come up with solutions to common issues clients face.
- Attention to detail – scanning through figures – paying attention to detail was key, especially in an audit.
- Time management – ensuring that accounts are done up to a certain date – everything is ready for a senior/manager to review so we can efficiently get the accounts out
- Communication skills as I have spoken to some clients on audit field trips as well as asking peers for support
How supportive are the people you work with?
The help has been outstanding. I have occasionally grappled with difficulties at work, but every time I asked for help, someone was there to guide me through the situation and explain how to proceed.
What were you studying and where? Or what are you hoping to study?
I am currently studying Accounting & Finance and Economics at the University of Kent.
What are your future ambitions? Have Carpenter Box helped you with these?
In future, I wish to pursue a career as a chartered accountant. In addition, by pushing me to achieve my objectives, Carpenter Box has assisted me in gaining the crucial experience I need for this. I now know what I enjoy and dislike about my profession, as well as what is most effective for me.
I’ve had the opportunity to experience three separate departments at Carpenter Box, each of which requires overlapping skills. I’ve enjoyed working there, and it’s helped me choose my accounting module in the final academic year of university.
Furthermore, the skills and knowledge I have learnt through my rotation of different departments will help me understand the theory in my modules. As I have picked business tax at university – The skills learnt in TSG and BSG will help me as I already have the knowledge and is a matter of expanding on this knowledge and applying this to practice
Would you recommend an internship/placement with Carpenter Box to others?
A placement or internship with CBX is something I would advise! Every department encourages you to reach your potential and offers a lot of help. You are exposed to work that is not merely scenario-based; instead, you learn much more while working and are in charge of your own work.