NEWS

Scroller on / off
Did you know this week (17-23 November) is Global ...

According to Sainsbury’s many graduates are ...

If you are a budding female entrepreneur intereste...

We know money is ALWAYS too tight to mention for s...

Want to find out what a career in Public Relations...

Was your university one of the winners in the Time...

While most students are more than happy for mum an...

Students are being urged to be extra-cautious and ...

Speculation about the credit crunch and economic d...

Due to the economic downturn, finding that ideal j...

FEATURED EMPLOYER

Enetrprise Feautured Employer

We might be an international car rental company with a multi-billion pound turnover. But more importantly, we're an industry-leading business that knows what to do with your talent. We don't want to nurture your expertise with a kettle or foster a positive working relationship between you and the photocopier. Why do that when we can teach you how to run a business and introduce you to senior level management? You'll learn everything you need to know, from Sales and Marketing to Customer Service and Finance...

FEATURED EMPLOYER

 

James Pritchard - Centrica - Corporate Accountant

James-Pritchard---CENTRICA---Corporate-Accountant

Name: James Pritchard, 26
Degree: Economics (2:1), University of Hull, Masters in Economics and Finance, University of York
Chartered Body: ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
Employer: Centrica


For someone who still hadn't decided on a career when he graduated, James Pritchard couldn't believe it when he was announced the 2005 Trainee Accountant of the Year by the industry magazine, Pass. "They told me I had a broad range of experience and that I was very good both technically and commercially," says James. Indeed, he is testament to the fact that accounting is no longer just about bean counting. "I'm doing my training with Centrica and my current role involves working for our downstream business British Gas, where I support their marketing, propositions and retention development. So when they are trying to develop new products, win new customers or retain old ones, it's my job to provide the financial support for that. It's really stimulating."

Having gained a 2.1 in economics from the University of Hull in 2001, James did a summer internship with HSBC in commercial and corporate banking. "That made me realise I wanted to work for a large organisation, but to help me work out exactly what role, I decided to do a masters in economics and finance at the University of York."

It was there that he concluded accountancy is a good entry into business, that it is challenging and varied and provides excellent opportunities to work internationally.James' next step was to pick out a handful of companies he liked the sound of from the Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters. 'I wanted to work in energy and managed to get onto Centrica's scheme,' he says.Usually, trainees at Centrica do three 12-month placements. "But I did about five or six shorter ones," says James, who joined the firm in September 2002.

"Now, I've moved into a more challenging roles than the previous ones and it's my first step towards a commercial role, which is what I'd like to do."Qualifying with ACCA is hard work, admits James, who is about to finish the three-year training period. "It's a big commitment because you study around your working hours, which means giving up lots of weekends and taking lots of exams. But it's well worth it because it opens so many doors," he says.

Add to Delecious Digg Reddit Stumbleupon Furl Simpy Yahoo myweb


You need to be logged in to vote.

Article rating:
  • 0/5 Stars.
Send it to a friend | Comments (0)
Thanks for rating!

Send to a friend

To:  


From:
 

  JCapture


Thank you for posting. You message will be moderated before going live on the site

Post a comment



Comments

Comments

No comments....



 

EMPLOYERS

Aspen Re The Aspen Group is a leading specialty insurance and reinsurance c... more
VT Group VT Group has been operating a successful graduate scheme since 200... more
Durham Business School Durham Business School offers a broad portfolio of Masters Degree ... more
Cambridge City Council Cambridge is a vibrant city and is a great place to live, work and... more
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) With a market capitalisation of over £50 billion, The Royal ... more
BUNAC BUNAC’s overseas work and volunteer programmes offer adventu... more
Grant Thornton LLP We’re the UK’s fifth largest accountancy firm, with 29... more
Government Legal Service The Government Legal Service (GLS) is the collective term for the ... more
Corus Corus metal is used globally in projects such as the new Grand The... more
Ernst and Young Ernst and Young has 114,000 people, in 700 locations across 140 co... more
View all Employers

LATEST JOBS

Title Organisation Apply by
PR Account Executive JFL Search & Selection 19 Dec 2008
Managed Operations Graduate Atos Origin 11 Jan 2009
Business Graduate Scheme Atos Origin 11 Jan 2009
Systems Integration Graduate Scheme Atos Origin 11 Jan 2009
Knowledge Management Coordinator Knowledge Transfer Partne... 30 Nov 2008
Work Canada BUNAC 05 Nov 2009
Engineering Graduate Nestle 14 Jan 2009
Supply Chain Graduate Nestle 02 Jan 2009
Industrial Improvement Engineer Nestle 14 Jan 2009
Graduate Quality Assurance Nestle 14 Jan 2009
View all Jobs

CASE STUDIES

Satkinder

Satkinder Gill - Technical Operations Graduate - Orange

I am currently on the graduate scheme within Orange. It is a two year scheme... more

Ruchdi Maalouf

Ruchdi Maalouf - Tokyo Projects Team - Herbert Smith

For a long time, I hesitated between a career in journalism and a career... more

Alex Hall

Alex Hall

There are far too many things to mention, though some highlights would... more

case-study-briony-law-preview

Briony Worthing - Trainee Solicitor - Lovells LLP

I am halfway through a two-year training contract with Lovells LLP, an... more

View all Case Studies

ADVICE

News-Brits-Abroad

BRITS ABROAD

As an island nation, the British have never been averse to travelling abroad... more

BEAT THE RECESSION – HOW TO GET THAT TOP JOB IN DI

BEAT THE RECESSION

HOW TO GET THAT TOP JOB IN DIFFICULT TIMES John Lees, best-selling UK... more

Publishing

EXCLUSIVE: Book Publishing Roles Made Simple

Whichever area of Book Publishing you choose to work in...... more

Sellafield-Ltd.

Turning the Tables: Interview with Jackie McClintock, Resourcing Manager at Sellafield

Ever wanted to know what makes graduate recruiters tick? Jackie McClintock,... more

View all Articles



Real World Skyscraper