The Work Internship as an Accountant - Paper Example

The work internship that I choose is that of an accountant. An accountant is a professional who engages in duties which encompass the measurement and disclosure of financial information which is used to guide investors, managers, and government agencies such as tax authorities to make decisions pertaining the allocation of resources (Monster, 2018). From Gradconnections (2018), I have found a suitable internship opportunity at Citi, which is the consumer division of Citigroup that is financials services multinational. The company offers internship opportunities in numerous business areas such as Capital Markets, Trade Solutions, Markets and Security Services as well as Investment Banking.

Citi is in search of Analysts to join the Global Consumer Bank program. Interns who will join the companys Global Consumer Bank program as analysts will be provided with critical knowledge and skills. The interns will be taken through a structured 24-month program which will constitute development focused rotations, mentorship, and continuous training of skills. The company encourages students in their final year of their undergraduate or Masters degree in any field and studies in a credible academic institution. The internship requirements are that a potential intern should have analytical and quantitative skills, have the desire to develop a comprehensive understanding of the banking industry and have a genuine interest for personal growth (Gradconnections, 2018).

How the Role Matches the Desired Employment Career Path and Goals

The role as an Analyst in the Global Consumer Bank program matches my desired employment in the banking sector. In each of the business areas such as Capital Markets, Trade Solutions, Markets and Security Services as well as Investment Banking offered by Citi, the role of an accountant features in each of the business units.

Hence, work experience in accountancy closely matches my desired employment in the banking industry. An accountant can work in any firm in the banking industry such as Citi. Even so, many accountants work in the banking industry. The rationale for the assertion is that work functions in accountancy encompass the use of financial data while the banking industry has a firm that deals with voluminous amounts of financial transactions. According to Kelly (2016), an accountant can work in the banking sector as a loan officer, a branch manager, financial analyst or a financial manager. The reason is that their work functions are similar to accountant functions which include preparing and reviewing financial statements.

Current Trends and Changes

Fawcett (2017) shares that there are current changes and trends in the recruitment and employability criteria in the banking sector which is brought by government regulations. Financial institutions in the industry are continuously being challenged by uncertainties brought about by regulatory pressures. Even though regulatory changes are meant to streamline the sector through issuing checks as balances that are meant to protect consumers and other firms, they increase unpredictability and volatility. Thus, multinational firms such as Citigroup tend to consider applicants with overseas experience such as the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia as a real benefit since these countries are already accustomed to regulatory reforms.

Fawcett (2017) further adds that technology is another source of trends and changes in the recruitment and employability criteria. Technology is a source of disruption within the banking industry through the introduction of inputs such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and the cloud. As a consequence of digitization, companies have been looking for employees with great computing skills.

Hence, the trends have a partially negative and partially positive influence on the application process for the intern position at Citi. The positive influence will be as a result of the fact that I have impeccable computing skills and I am technologically savvy. On the other hand, the negative influence will be as a result of the fact that I have no experience with banking systems in the UK, Europe, and Asia that are accustomed to regulatory pressures.

How Technology Impacts the Interview Process

Technology is revolutionizing the way interviews are done by making the process less costly and more focused on verifiable candidate attributes. For instance, video conferencing has made the interviewing process less costly by reducing the need for candidates to travel to organizational premises or organizations to set up interviewing locations. Instead, one can be interviewed using Skype a convenient location. Additionally, firms can obtain verifiable candidate attributes through the evaluation of their social media profiles and the use of skill and behavioral testing tools such as Prism.

Hence, technology makes my interview process have more intense scrutiny avenues from social media profiles to latent and overt behavioral and skills. Hiring companies benefit from the increased accuracy in their applicant screening applicants while the window for an applicant to falsify information is narrowed. Also, technology is quite instrumental in interviewing processes in the banking industry since sector requires ethical, responsible and transparent employees to prevent fraudulent activities.

Task 2: Writing your Application

Cover Letter

[Your Name][Your Address][City, State, Zip Code][Contact Number][Email]

Date:

The Human Resource ManagerCitiCentre 2 Park Street Sydney NSW 2000

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing in response to an internship advertisement you recently posted about the role of an Analyst at Citi. I came across the advertisement on a website known as Gradconnection, and I was pleased to note that I satisfy all the necessary requirement attached to the internship position. I chose the internship opportunity you offer since the job description explained that it would be a challenging and rewarding engagement.

I am a student studying Bachelors in Accounting at Deakin University College. I have acquired skills in corporate finance, accounting, compliance with GAAP guidelines and compliance to SFAS rules. I am also skilled in time management, general mathematics, data entry and I am cognizant of the importance of confidentiality.

I also have a great deal of experience in business-related fields, and I am currently researching the implications of errors in the publicly published financial statements of a company on its share price and investor confidence.

I believe that I will be an instrumental asset to your program and this opportunity will greatly enhance my professional skills. I am looking forward to your consideration.

Yours Sincerely

[Name]

Resume

Personal Information

Name: [Insert Here]

Age: [Insert Here]

Sex: [Insert Here]

Nationality : [Insert Here]

Contacts: [Insert Here]

Address: [Insert Here]

Email Address: [Insert Here]

OBJECTIVES:

To work in a position that will allow fully exploit skills that I acquired through education. To apply interpersonal skills in an environment that provides me with the opportunity for personal, professional development.

To be professionally engaged in a challenging environment which will provide me with the opportunity to employ my skills, talents, and expertise in a way that would be beneficial to my employer.

To embrace the process of continuous learning within different work contexts with the aim of obtaining greater levels of expertise and experience in different accounting related positions and eventually enhancing my employability.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Institution: Deakin University College, Victoria

Course: Bachelors in Accounting

Merit: About to Graduate

WORK EXPERIENCE

Volunteer: Future Me, a non-governmental organization: September 2017- to date.

Data Entry Clerk: Siah Corporative Society: August 2016

Data Entry Clerk: Log In Investments: September to November 2016

PERSONAL INFORMATION

I am passionate, trustworthy and a consistent team player. I am also a reliable and devoted employee who appreciates the educational value of working in challenging environments. I have a great love for learning, and I easily adapt to new working environments. I am able to work in any circumstance for instance while under strict supervision or without supervision. I am also adaptable and flexible to change the organizational setting since I have learned to embrace dynamism in business-related fields.

Abilities and Proficiencies

Undertaking Research

Drafting Memos

Leading Colleagues

Managing Front Office

Educating Peers Managing Projects

Launching Projects

Supervising Subordinates

Public & Media Relations

New Product Launch

COMPETENCY PROFILE

I can demonstrate an expert level of skills and knowledge in accounting that is at par with current development and applied principles in the field.

I have the ability to employ effective approaches in decision-making processes for instance while considering alternative solutions to an issue or deciding on the most appropriate response to a dilemma.

I have the ability to effectively communicate information at the group and individual level as well as deliver presentations to an audience. I can clearly and concisely disseminate information orally and in writing as well as effectively listen.

I also have abilities in financial monitoring and analysis where I can monitor and collect data using high levels of accuracy. I can analyze the data while complying with applicable accounting standards such as the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

STRENGTHS

High level of interpersonal skills

Self-assured in the management and handling of any type of circumstances independently.I am skilled in working in a variety of dynamic conditions.

HOBBIES AND INTEREST

Travelling

Watching Documentaries

Playing Sports

Engaging in Social and Professional Interactions.

Task 4: Reflection

Reflection 1

I felt that I did exceptionally well in my self-presentation during the interview. I was confident, dressed appropriately and polite in my responses to the interviewing panel. Such level of self-presentation was sufficient to earn me higher regard among the interviewers since the first appearance is often a critical component in their selection criteria. Perhaps, I could have done better in my arrangement and presentation of my academic certificate and credentials. I noted that members of the interviewing panel asked for my papers in a manner that was prescribed in the interview guide we were provided with after applying for the position. Had I arranged the papers as per the provided format, I would not have fumbled and looked disorganized while looking for the papers I was asked for.

I did answer the questions fully, and I was comprehensive in my statements. I was also careful not to respond with something that was not needed. I also asked for a restatement of the question whenever the interviewer was inaudible. In future interviews, I will go through all assigned documents and information provided during the application. I will also conduct relevant research about the company with the vacancy for I noted that the interviewers also asked questions about the company.

Reflection 2

This unit has been instrumental and an eye-opener. It has enabled me to learn numerous concepts about myself such as my weaknesses, strength and natural abilities. For instance, I have learned that I have a strength in mathematical skills, but I am weak in self-organization. I also have a natural ability to communicate. The self-learning experience has influenced my career planning by encouraging me to pursue accounting which is a field applies communication and mathematical skills.

Since the start of the trimester, I have noted that I hav...