Transcript for Simon
Forensics Trainee - London office
I am Simon Abbott and I am a trainee at BDO Stoy Hayward, and I work in the London office. For me no two days are the same. My typical day will normally be a 9.30amstart. The first thing I would do is check my emails. Around 10am I will probably have a debrief meeting.
We often have a departmental meeting in which all the different projects update everybody else on where they are up to, whether they need any extra help. Just generally to keep us involved so everyone knows what is going on. I think you have to be somebody who is inquisitive by nature. Forensic services is dealing with expert witness reports, fraud investigations, and we also have a matrimonial department which deals with high-value divorces as well.
You have to be prepared to challenge what you see, and to be a team player as well. The projects that you work on are always done in teams, the teams range from two people right the way up to 15 people. Everybody is very, very friendly, the office has quite a relaxed atmosphere, and everybody seems to get on. I actually chose to work here because the lead partner in my group has a very good reputation within forensic services, and it was clear that I would get to work on very high-profile jobs and also very interesting jobs.
“Sarah are you ready for the meeting?” I might have a counselling meeting, which involves meeting up with my mentor for coffee or for lunch, where we go through any issues or any problems that I might be having, whether it be work-related or exam-related. When I think what I knew 12 months ago, especially about accountancy, I knew very, very little. I do not have a maths or an accountancy background, I did an undergraduate degree in law, and then I did a masters in law the year after that. Now my knowledge has improved dramatically.
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