Friday, 16 September 2011

financial musings of a summer


It has been a fair old time since I last blogged. A matter of months in fact.
I have started many, all on interesting subjects such as the differences between trad and sport climbing or the $4.2 billion tax relief illegal workers are receiving in the states. But alas as each of these have been half completed something has arisen and it has been left to finish “on a later date” unfortunately such is the nature of man that “a later date” never arises.
I don't want to bore people with the in and outs of my summer needless to say I have learn the valued lesson taught so often within the church of living within your means, saving and not being frivolous with money.
Those of you who know me, know that we went on holiday to the Dominican Republic this summer and are probably thinking that is neither saving or being thrifty. But everyone deserves a holiday.
No my point is this. While we were at university we were getting money from student finance. Every 3 months or so we'd get a nice instalment and as such didn't have much to worry about. We were working hard part time and so we were continually putting money away, making sure we had plenty in the account where our bills were paid from.
This summer was like a drought in Egypt. After the months of plenty we were hit by no more student finance. Luckily with our savings and our reserves we have been able the weather this “dry season” and in a matter of days our student finance instalments will start up and we can get back to where we should be, :)
ok... so that is what I learnt about personal finance. A simple lesson make sure you have enough money. Here is the topic of concern I have now.
Until recently I have been preparing for my final year of University. The main part of which is my dissertation. A 30,000 word project on an “independent forensic accounting project” now this was the problem... so far the course has focused very little on forensic accounting... in fact all of the modules studied have been either a grounding in accounting or database analysis or looking at mobile technology, all are clear why they need to be studied but none of which are “forensic” based.
How on earth am I meant to be able to gather any information on different project topics if I am unable to pin point anything helpful? I know most people might be screaming at me about what I'm doing wrong etc. but that's ok. I have a year to think about it.
The other week I received a phone call from an internship I interviewed for a month or so ago. I have been offered a 12 month paid work placement with London Midland. Actually I'm on my way to the medical as we speak.
This is something I'm looking forward to. I'll be able to gain experience in auditing, fraud, variance analysis and the sorts. Not only will this look great on my CV but it will give me a year to think about the project I want to pursue for my dissertation. Happy days.
My plan during this next year is this. Look for forensic accounting opportunities. During my interview I was questioned a fair bit about my plans for the future and why I was studying what I am. I was a little bit worried that a forensic accountant wasn't what they were looking for in a financial analysts position, but they then said the magic words, “I'm sure we'll be able to help you find some way to gain experience in auditing if not forensic accounting” -score
basically the placement is flexible enough that I can gain experience in the areas that I'm looking for. Instead of just being a coffee boy (which is good because I have it on good information I can't make a good tasting coffee to save my life.)
Wish me look.
I'd better sign off as I'm about to start a 20 minute adventure across England’s 2nd city to find a train station to take me where I want to be. :)

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