FINDING MY FEET
WRITTEN BY SHARLA DANDY, ACA BA(Hons)
a former member of BADCASS

The months following qualification I felt quite lost. I remember my first appraisal after qualifying, we had to have targets for the 6 months ahead, mine had always been to pass this exam or that exam but now I had to really think about my career and what I wanted. It was hard.


In practice, which was where I worked, there weren't that many options, and the hierarchical structure was pretty flat. To progress therefore, I sought to maximise my exposure to different clients, I audited schools, pension schemes and charities along with the standard manufacturing companies. Although there was the new SORP rules to learn, I still didn't feel fulfilled.
The year after qualification I was promoted to an audit supervisor, I was thrilled. However, after a few months I realised the role wasn't that different to what I had been doing. I knew in my heart the only way develop my career and develop as a person, was to change jobs. I kept pushing this to the back of my mind, hoping something would change to make me feel I was being challenged and developed.

That autumn something did happen. My manager suggested I become a business advisor for Young Enterprise. This involved going to a local school and providing advice to young adults, about setting up and running a company. It took just a couple of hours a week, I would attend the "business meetings" and provide guidance where I could.

The school I went to was Cheltenham Ladies College and the company they set up was Ignition. They made wine charms for the stems of wine glasses, they sourced raw materials from abroad and manufactured by hand. It was so enlightening working with such talented people who had a real enthusiasm for business.

That winter a recruitment agent phoned me and said she had the perfect job for me. It would involve working at the Nationwide head office in Swindon for a subsidiary company called UCB Home Loans. I would be working in a small team and would be known as a "core accountant" providing managing and financial accounting support.

I was reluctant at first, this would involve daily travel of 80 miles each day and I would have to leave the place I had worked for almost 5 years. I knew I should do it, it was a great opportunity but it was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made.

I started work at Nationwide on the 28th April this year. A month after I started working at Nationwide, I was contacted by Young Enterprise who informed me I had won the business advisor award for the region. The award was to be presented as part of the regional finals. The day was brilliant, all of the schools in the regional final were there and they all made presentations which were excellent.

A couple of weeks later, I was contacted again, I had now won the national prize. I couldn't believe it. There are thousands of advisors nationally and I had won this award. The presentation took place at the London Savoy in July this year. I was presented the award by David Illingworth who is the president of "The Institute of Chartered Accountants".

That day was so inspirational, all of the schools in the national final set up stands to display their products and did presentations. All of the products and services I saw that day were so innovative. The school that won had made a Tartan for their Island, the Isle of Harris, they then went on to number 10 Downing Street and met Gordon Brown. I knew then, how worthwhile it was being part of Young Enterprise as that I would always try to participate in the programme going forward, which I am now doing at Nationwide.



The move to the Nationwide has been great, I have learnt so much, and had lots of fun. Shortly after joining my new team we all went sailing on a Challenger Yacht, which had been around the world, we sailed around the Solent, it was something I had never done before.

I have been with Nationwide for 5 months now. It has been a major culture change, thousands of people work at the head office, Nationwide House, and there are lots of accountants there. The strange thing is, at Nationwide, you are not treated as one of many you are made to feel valued. The subsidiary company UCB Home Loans is based in Sutton, I visit there about 2 times a month and the people there are also fantastic, so friendly and warm. It can be difficult working at 2 sites but it is also challenging.



The 2 years after qualifying are so important. There is no rush in making career decisions, it's true, but it is important to embrace any opportunities you are given at this time. Don't be scared of change, embrace it. Once qualified, you have something which will be with you forever, a real skill which nobody can take away. You have worked hard for it, so make sure you use it, and enjoy it.
I wish you all well in your future careers.