Guernsey assurance associate profile - March 2011

Laura Embrey, trainee accountant with PwC - We have a 'Buddy' system which supported me when I started. Now I am a Buddy, looking after two of the first years to help them get into the flow of work and study

After University I decided to go and see some of the world before settling down to a career. I travelled for six months through Asia and Australia and ended up working in Melbourne for 18 months for a Recruitment Company. During my time there I saw firsthand the loss of jobs when the financial crisis hit. The only team that remained busy was the financial services recruitment team. It was then I realised how attractive the job security of becoming an accountant was.

I have now been at PwC, Channel Islands for 18 months and am already half way through my training contract. There are two main exam routes to becoming an accountant, and resolving the ACA / ACCA dilemma was one of the first of many things our very informative and supportive HR department were on hand to help with. I personally decided to take the ACA route and after being at PwC for such a short time, I am already part qualified with just my final three exams left to full qualification.

I have worked with a wide range of clients since starting at PwC, mainly in the Private Equity and Banking Industries. Being thrown into working in an industry you have very limited knowledge of can be daunting, but from the day I started I’ve been supported and helped to steadily build my understanding and capabilities. I love the fact I learn so much more about my job each day and that every Friday I cannot believe how quick the week has gone.

The learning curve is huge when you first start, but PwC invest a great deal of time and effort into ensuring that you settle in quickly. I particularly liked the fact we have a ‘Buddy’ system which supported me when I started, Now I am a Buddy, looking after two of the first years to help them get into the flow of work and study routines and be on hand to answer any queries they have. This is such a rewarding part of the job, good fun and shows just how far I’ve come since starting.

One of my favourite things about PwC is the fun personalities around the office. PwC is a young and energetic office full of culturally diverse, yet like minded individuals.  There is a great work ethic and team-focused approach around the office which I find extremely motivating. PwC’s focus is on ensuring we have a good work / life balance. For example, the overtime we work in busy season we get back in time in lieu or as cash which for me was a great bonus.

We also have a very busy Sports and social calendar with an event organised every month for us to go along to. The Sark day trip, Annual Ball, hockey tour, Rugby day and Friday night drinks are some of my favourites. I’m also part of the PwC Hockey, Netball and Touch Rugby teams which I love being involved with.

The Channel Islands Firm also have well developed relationships with many other PwC firms around the world, and I have recently seen fellow colleagues embark on secondments to Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and the US. With these close contacts and links to the whole PwC network, I am looking forward to seeing what comes next in my career.