Oxford

ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
EMILY STEVENSON
Associate in Assurance –
EY
Emily studied Biological
Sciences and a PGCE at St.
Hilda’s College, 2012 and 2013.
WHAT: In Assurance we work to
provide an independent opinion on
a company’s financial statements.
We work in teams and spend the
majority of our time at the client site.
We are constantly learning as each
client is different, and receive on the
job coaching daily from senior team
members.
The key attributes to be successful
in Assurance are attention to detail,
a structured approach to problems,
communication skills and a proactive
nature.
WHY: One of the things I enjoy most is the
high level of client exposure. Every day I
work alongside my client to perform work;
this ranges from more junior staff up to
CFOs and MDs. Furthermore, I understand
the controls and processes in place at
different clients allowing me to understand
best practice across the industry.
I really enjoy the opportunity of working
with different EY teams. It provides me with
exposure to a wide range of working styles
and coaching and thus allows me develop
quickly. The summer after I graduated I
had a temporary role processing invoices
and payments at a global pharmaceutical
company; I enjoyed the role however I
did not feel sufficiently challenged. One
ALUMNI PROFILES
of the great things about my current
firm is that I find the challenge I want
to ensure I enjoy my job but in a
supportive environment.
GETTING IN: EY’s selection process is
strengths based and consists of an
online application form, psychometric
and strengths test, first interview,
assessment centre and final interview.
TOP TIPS: Apply as early as possible,
ensure you know what the day to day
role involves (by attending events run
by the firm and speaking to those in
graduate roles) and don’t rush to take
the first offer you receive, make sure
the firm and the role are a good fit for
you and your strengths.
ACCOUNTANCY + FINANCIAL SERVICES
ALUMNI PROFILES
ALBERT PONS
Engineering Expert &
Underwriter – Allianz
WHAT: I’m commonly asked “what
is an engineer doing in an insurance
company?” The reality is there are
opportunities for a wide variety of
profiles in the insurance sector. In
my case as an Engineering Expert
& Underwriter, for example, I insure
things like power plants, bridges,
tunnels, etc. worldwide at Allianz
Reinsurance.
My postgraduate study in Business
Strategy & Innovation at Oxford
was planned to complement my
engineering background and I am
convinced that this helped me when
I was head-hunted for my current job
at the Allianz Headquarters in Munich.
The job in the central office requires a
higher degree of strategic thinking as
well as a rigorous approach in all the
technical papers that we write, and
these are skills that I learned during my
time at Oxford.
WHY: One of the best things in
my job is the global geographical
scope, insuring engineering projects in
almost any part in the world. Additionally,
I find that each case is different and I am
constantly learning about new construction
techniques, technologies and machines in
the market. However, compared with my
previous jobs as an engineer, I miss the fact
that we don’t create anything tangible in the
insurance sector.
ADVICE: Be totally open to new
opportunities, even if they don’t exactly
match the perfect job that you have in
mind. It is often by following unexpected
paths that many people achieve great
professional careers. Take different
internships if possible: they are a great
opportunity to explore the market and find
where you fit best.
TOP TIPS: Don’t be afraid of changing
companies, especially in the first years of
your career. In my experience, as long as
you have a good professional reason for
your change, having different jobs on your
résumé won’t be a problem.
Albert gained a Postgraduate
Diploma in Strategy and
Innovation at Oriel College,
2014.
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