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All posts by Alice Sturgess
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Posted on September 9, 2016 by Alice Sturgess
Over the next few weeks, my intake are due to sign off our ICAEW training files and officially complete the ACA. We’re going to be issued Audit Principal contracts and many of us are moving teams. more… Onwards and upwards (or, my only regret is Colin Firth)
Tagged: ACA qualification, Client visits, Clients, Financial audit, Skills and experience, Value for money audit
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Posted on August 5, 2016 by Alice Sturgess
My mother once attended a wedding where, in place of more traditional hymeneal accompaniments, strains of “Making your mind up” by Bucks Fizz blared through the venue (a narrow boat) inspiring a waves of unease amongst the assembled guests, for all that it was clearly designed as a light-hearted joke.
Fortunately, at the NAO, there is no stomach churning moment of decision required of you, nor do you have to swear before gathered friends and family that you will stay with your beloved as long as you both shall live. However, as you near the end of your training contract, you will have an important decision to make and inaction tends to be a decision in itself. more… The big decision: Financial audit or value for money work?
Tagged: Career options, Financial audit, Value for money audit
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Posted on March 4, 2016 by Alice Sturgess
If you asked me what my favourite part of my job was, I wouldn’t hesitate before I told you it’s the clients I work with. I’ve been really fortunate at the NAO in that most of my clients are arms length bodies of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport whose work I believe has incredible cultural and historic value. That doesn’t mean I always agree with their accounting estimates but it does mean I get a little something extra out of it. more… The best part of my job…
Tagged: Audit locations, Client visits, Clients, Work-life balance
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Posted on January 15, 2016 by Alice Sturgess
The other time as a trainee when you’re very much empowered to dress down is when you’re at college. If anything, the college dress code is even more relaxed than Casual Fridays. I have never yet seen someone don trackies in the office but I’ve seen a fair few at college. more… The NAO’s dress code (part 4): College
Tagged: College, Dress code
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Posted on December 4, 2015 by Alice Sturgess
In February 2014, the NAO launched a scheme called ‘NAO Ideas’ which allows everyone in the office to put forward their vision for how the office could alter its practices for the better. One of the first ideas posted was that we implement Casual Fridays. To the surprise of many, it swiftly got approved by the leadership team and came into practice. Previously, the only times you’d get to see your managers in trainers and jeans were when they dressed down for the team Christmas lunch but now it’s a possibility every single week. more… The NAO’s dress code (part 3): Casual Fridays
Tagged: Dress code, Officewear
Onwards and upwards (or, my only regret is Colin Firth)>
The big decision: Financial audit or value for money work?>
The NAO’s dress code (part 4): College>
The NAO’s dress code (part 3): Casual Fridays>
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