Added: 12th September 2022 by Langham Hall
You’re finishing university and are considering what career path to take. You’re interested in financial services, investment, accountancy, alternatives assets… so what’s next?
We spoke to Lily Davis who joined the Langham Hall Graduate Programme in 2020 in the Private Equity team to share her experience and what it’s been like to start her career as a Fund Accountant.
I graduated from the University of Birmingham in summer 2020 where I gained a First in Modern Languages (German and Spanish) and Business Management. At A Level, I studied Maths, German and PE.
Having not studied finance and accounting at university, I loved the fact that Langham Hall’s Graduate Programme offered training towards becoming a fully qualified accountant. The fusion of practical and theoretical learning was something which piqued my interest in the scheme. The chance to work for a highly reputable firm and develop personal skills such as leadership and communication was also something which drew me to Langham Hall.
Since joining in September 2020, I have had exposure to a huge range of tasks within fund accounting; bookkeeping, management accounts, payments and investor queries. Additionally, I have now successfully completed an audit, which provided a new challenge that I enjoyed undertaking. Having spent time preparing these key deliverables, I am now gaining experience in the review process; a rewarding task, allowing me to see how much I have learned within the last year and a half. This progression has been aided by members of my team who have supported me and my ambitions, and I have been given opportunities to broaden my horizons within my team, and on a larger, company-wide scale.
I have always loved learning and working in a team. At Langham Hall, I am constantly learning and developing skills, while also working alongside a group of likeminded, aspirational people who are incredibly approachable and helpful. These factors keep the work interesting and enjoyable.
I have been given many opportunities to develop professionally since joining Langham Hall. There are always chances to take on extra responsibility, either within your team, through having oversight of more tasks, or within the broader company, where you can complete extra trainings or join the various committees. The range of clients to work on also presents the opportunity to learn about multiple investments and the way the different Funds operate.
Langham Hall offers study days and all necessary material for the accounting exams. Juggling work and study is arguably the most challenging aspect of the role, but one which is also incredibly rewarding and in-line with personal aspirations to become qualified. The tasks within my work have helped consolidate my studies, where I am able to put theory into practice.
In 5 years, I will have completed all my ACCA exams and be a qualified accountant. I will have accumulated extensive insight into the behaviour of Funds and successful investments. I plan to use this knowledge to manage my own team of people and find new challenges through which I can develop and progress professionally.
Be open to new learning experiences and embrace every opportunity. We learn most from asking questions and making mistakes, so have confidence in your intellectual aptitude and be inquisitive, because there’s always something to learn.