My journey from Audit Graduate to Assistant Manager - Katelin

A typical day in the life of an Assistant Manager

Throughout the year, I work on a variety of clients ranging in size and industry. In the past 12 months, I've worked with clients in the real estate, construction and manufacturing industries. I'd say my typical day involves leading and coaching a large team of assistants and supervisors as well as communicating and building relationships with my clients. I also help manage small pension scheme audits. 

For those joining as a graduate or school leaver, you're always going to be part of a team on every job that you're working on. You'll be working with experienced assistants, supervisors and assistant managers. So initially that first year is really about learning the basics of accounting and finance.

In audit, you’ll get to go out to visit client sites, which is a really interesting part of the job. While on-site, you’ll get to carry out work such as the stock takes, and easier sections of the audit such as cash, reserves and purchases testing.  

Taking charge of your career progression

If there's something you’d like to do more of, the best way is to speak to your line manager – you’re really in charge of your own progression.

When I joined as an assistant, you do get the chance to work on a variety of different audits such as charities, housing associations, pensions and corporates. I enjoyed working on corporates and pension schemes the most. There is then quite a good opportunity to help manage smaller jobs and review sections of the audit work.

My line manager also sends me ideas for training that she thinks I could use to progress. I feel like they're very supportive in that way. When you're studying ICAS or a similar qualification, it's all about communicating with your supervisors and assistant managers on jobs, making sure you know what they expect of you. They will help you create a plan for the work that you need to get through and how you're going to manage that. You've got access to resources and people that can help guide you.

Always keep the lines of communication open with your line manager — they’ve been through it themselves and can offer practical advice on balancing work, study and personal time.

Exploring global opportunities for growth

One of the best things about working in a firm the size of RSM is that there are loads of great opportunities on offer. When I joined, my line manager told me about the opportunity of working abroad and I knew it was something that I wanted to try. So as soon as I became exam-qualified, I started my application process to RSM US and got accepted into the Boston office. I had a fantastic opportunity of working in America for about four months.

The whole reason I wanted to go into a secondment was to push myself out of my comfort zone and put all the skills that I had learned over the past three years in RSM UK to test. And I was also excited by the idea of performing my current role in a different environment as I thought it would give me a whole new perspective on audit.

Given we are a global firm, the audit methodology is actually very similar. It's just the terminology is quite different. They work under US GAAP, so there's actually quite a few things in accounting that are treated differently. We've also got quite a lot of American clients that we work with in the Glasgow office, so I thought it would be valuable to experience things from their perspective.

Life outside the office

Outside of work, I like to meet up with friends and play sports. Earlier this year, I joined the RSM Glasgow female football team to participate in the RSM EUROS, an event that brings together RSM offices from across Europe to network and compete. The team are actually off to Prague in August to play a few matches and network with each other. I'd never played football before until two months ago, but I now attend practice every Wednesday.

At RSM, there are so many opportunities available that, if you put yourself forward, you can do some interesting things.

My advice for future graduates and school leavers

If you’re thinking about joining RSM as a school leaver or graduate, but don’t have a background in accounting or finance, don’t let that hold you back. The way RSM, and qualifications like ICAS, support your learning makes it easy to get up to speed quickly.

My advice would be to just go for it. RSM is a really inclusive and interesting place to work with loads of opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Make an impact. Be our future.