Business Portfolio - Assignment Example

BUSINESS PORTFOLIO Course Tutor Institution Business Portfolio Personal Information My name is Samia. I am originally from China. I am a student at Harvard University pursuing Bachelor's degree in business level one (majoring in Accounting). Am currently looking for an opportunity where I can be more involved in the firm operations in order to nourish my skills that I have learned in the field of accounting to assist the running of the organization. Besides, I aspire to have CIA and CPA licenses which I believe will add more value to my accounting skills. Career Inspirations Norton Bedford, Accounting Professor at the University of Illinois, inspires me so much as far as accounting is concerned. He devoted his lifetime career to develop a conceptual base for accounting thought that we enjoy reading and applying today. He chaired AAA's Committee to define the future structure, content as well as the scope of accounting education. The report from the meeting recommended changes that more adequately prepare accounting students to enhance their careers with ease. Indeed, his tireless efforts to redefine and restructure accounting concepts have played a significant part in my life. He reaffirmed the idea that the ultimate aim of accounting is to establish a climate for fairness for investors, to help companies to avoid risks, and prosper as well as aiding people to be responsible in financial planning. Career Aspirations, Stages of Development and SWOT Analysis As a financial accountant, I aspire to develop more skills as I continue with learning. It is my ultimate believe that the acquired skills will help me in securing a chance to work with Optiver Company and Sinopec in (one of the largest companies in China) in the future. Like any other accountant, both personal growth and development are inevitable in life. In this regard, I started the business course endowed with fewer skills but with unwavering hopes that one day I will make it. During the first and second year in the University I learned a lot. However, grasping what the entire course needed was challenging as I had to engage in other areas of study and work. During the second to third years of my study, I started comprehending some of the basic concepts in accounting. Markedly, it is at this period I began paying more attention to accounting concepts than before. As such, I saw the need of joining accounting clubs to nourish learned and self-acquired concepts. It is during this period that I learned diverse concepts and their application in various business contexts. During the fourth to fifth year, the idea of actively participating started penetrating in my mind. It was worth to sharpen and apply the concepts learned to boost my skills. By doing so, my level of competency was enhanced significantly. Conversely, my level of competency grew during the fifth year where I could apply a handful of concepts learned to real life situations. SWOT Analysis Strengths I have a potential to work extensively with both public and private owned companies as a financial accountant to help in taxes preparation, perform audits, act as a financial accounting consultant for businesses, individuals, and not for profit entities. In this regard, I aspire to establish and implement fair budgets to the federal government agencies and help to maintain health and proper records and reports of the company in long run. Furthermore, using the skills that am endowed with, I aspire to provide profound and detailed analysis that can be used to teach upcoming and future financial accountants, not only in the company but also in other areas. Additionally, I have great leadership skills which include handling heavy responsibility. For instance, am always fair and righteous in my deeds and decisions. The idea came to my attention when I discovered that to be great leader, I need to work harder on my off hours as well. Weaknesses In my field of financial accounting, there two industry standards which relate to financial accounting which includes auditing and managerial accounting standards. As a financial accountant, one need to uphold auditing standards disciplines such as general Auditing Standards which broadly deals with auditing principles, communications, and concepts which am not well conversant with. Besides, a competent financial accountant should follow Auditing Procedures necessary for performing financial audits and planning audit evidence. The latter add up to one of my weak areas that I feel less confident and sometimes end up forgetting some of the procedures. In addition, I lack general experience because I spent much time advancing my education. I have not yet grasped substantial skills and experiences though there are so many job opportunities such as part-time employment which can help me to develop some skills. Besides, I always have inadequate time to handle all the tasks at hand [1]. Opportunities As far as my course is concerned, I stand a better chance to excel in the accounting field since am endowed with exceptional skills and concepts. The acquisition of the skills puts me in a better position to start my own accounting firm or get employed in a reputable organization like Optiver Company and Sinopec. Additionally, accounting career offers a broad range of career paths such as taxes, financial, auditing, and management. As such, since am not well conversant with taxes, I opt to continue with auditing and financial as my majors. Markedly, due to the diversity of the field, an accountant can work in large companies or run their own enterprise. Accountants are always in high demand in the global market as businesses continue to grow and increase in number. An accountant has a great role to play in keeping companies within their budgets. As such enterprises are always in search of best and competent accountant to advise them on matters regarding financial management. Therefore, skills that I have obtained from the university and during my attachment period, positions me in a better chance to grasp these opportunities. Finally, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of accountant jobs is projected to grow by 13 percent by 2020 [1]. Notably, this is a clear indication that the probability of getting employed immediately after school is high. Besides, despite the current fluctuating economy, accountants can look for a stable and well-paying career as almost every business needs an accountant. Threats One of the main threats to my future career is the fluctuating economy and the increasing competition in the accounting field. Despite the increasing demand for accountants, companies outsource or employ the best candidate regarding performance and skills. CURRICULUM VITAE SAMIA P. O BOX 032 CHINA CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: samia@hotmail.com PERSONAL INFORMATION: Nationality: Chinese ID No: 3063656 Language: English & Kiswahili GENERAL CAREER OBJECTIVE: I am seeking for an opportunity to join a professional business working environment, where I can develop my career further and enhance my accounting skills. SPECIFIC CAREER OBJECTIVES: To use and effectively apply institutional knowledge gained at Harvard University, Bachelor of business level one in a real world business environment. To be a competent, creative, and to combine technology with business processes to achieve informational needs of an organization. To become part of a result oriented team working towards efficiency, higher performance, and operational excellence for the organization. ACADEMIC BACKGROUND: 2013- To date Harvard University: Degree Programme Bachelor of business level one (Majoring in Accounting) 2007-2012 China Boys High School: China Certificate of Secondary Education (CCSE) Grade: B Plus PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 2012 – 2013: Financial Auditor Auditing financial statements and coordinating programs at the University clubs and departments. SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES: Creative, innovative and self-starter. Able to work for long hours under minimal supervision. Able to relate well with others, communicate, and collaborate on projects. Driven by principles of professionalism, ethics, and integrity. EXTRA-CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES/HOBBIES: Reading widely on new development and professional literature in any accounting related field. Playing soccer. Socializing and meeting new friends. HONOURS AND AWARDS: I received an award for being the financial auditor for going beyond the call of duty to satisfy client needs. I also received testimonials from customers and the management for my ability to teamwork. REFEREES: PROF. GLAD SUMIL DEPUTY DIRECTOR HARVARD UNIVERSITY CAMPUS P. O. BOX 0234-00100 USA My career action plan In my progression, I see it necessary to have a career action plan to help me to be a successful candidate in the field of financial accounting. It is beneficial to make decisions about classes to take, identify internships, research, and extracurricular activities that can make me a strong candidate. I have listed below some of my steps to effective career action plan I customized to help achieve my interests and ambitions. The steps include identifying of career options, pursuing short and long term courses, prioritizing skills, making comparison, considering other factors, making choices, and setting SMART goals as per [2]. Action Goal Start Duration Finish Develop a refined list of my career options by examining my interests, values, and skills via personal assessment. I also take initiative of narrowing my career options by reviewing my career information, leasing with experienced and skilled professionals in Optiver Companies To narrow down my list of career options to align with my short and long term goals when taking part in experiences such as volunteering, shadowing, and internships. The ultimate aim being to boost my skills and experiences. July 2016 1 month August 2016 Prioritize my skills on financial accounting. Set up an appointment with the experienced career advisors Have an understanding of financial management and reporting issues August 2016 1 month Sept 2016 Acquire a personal mentor and career advisor. The instructor will assist me in considering my personal preferences. Some of the factors include; current demand for financial accountants, challenges that abide to the field, the risks involved, necessary qualification required in the field, additional education or training needed and the options that affect my life as a financial accountant. Besides, he or she will help me to know the professional training courses required such as CIA and CPA to pursue. Sept 2016 2 months Nov 2016 Develop SMART personal structure Increase my career paths as well as the number of potential opportunities. Explicitly define and identify my goals, measure my progress, check chances of success, relevancy of important goals. Nov 2016 1 Month Dec 2016 Join Volunteering Organizations, Accounting Organizations, and Clubs To nourish my accounting skills and concepts. Additionally, to enhance my confidence, communication and listening skills Jan 2017 6 months July 2017 Apply for internships in various Companies such as Sinopec and Optiver. During the internship period, I will enroll for short communication and management courses. Boost my competency and acquire experiences on matters regarding financial management and reporting. July 2017 6 Months December 2017 Apply for Master’s degree in Accounting Acquisition of the degree will boost my chances of employment. Additionally, it will puts me in a good position to start my own Accounting firm. Jan 2017 18 Months July 2018 Job advertisement and description of financial accountant, REF: F90112 Who we are Optiver Company accounting and finance recruits qualified accountants for China business. Our potential clients include government agencies, multinational companies, and SMEs. Our client our major client is a large insurance organization which employs the best talent in the market. You will enjoy excellent progression prospects and significant mentoring by working with a team of dynamic and committed individuals. The role Our client needs a skilled financial accountant to join their finance team. By reporting to the CFO, you will have responsibilities across management and financial reporting. You can hereby look forward to gaining exposure to commercial segments of an enterprise, generous economic incentives, and real opportunities for career progression. Your responsibilities include Management of financial reporting. Delivering quarterly and annual budget forecast. Analyzing report to advice on budgets and cash flows. Developing and managing team of accountants. The ideal candidate Candidate will be CIA/CPA qualified, with four years working experience in a similar position of financial accounting. You will have technical accounting skills and be in a position to manage financial reporting necessity in a complex structure. You will also have to demonstrate ability and leadership skills to present financial information to the audience. Your personal attributes Strong ability and communication skills to translate figures into words. Strong leadership experience and skills. Strong problem-solving skills Strong organizational skills. Highly motivated to meet deadlines. Ability to work with minimal supervision. To apply, email your cover letter and resume to Amelia Moonie: ameliamoonie@optiver.ac.kequoting reference number F90112. Responses to address selection criteria during my application I have strong communication skills acquired during my service as a financial auditor and program coordinator at the University departments and clubs which required me to communicate with various clients from wide range of enterprises, either face-to-face, over the phone or through email consultation. I have also developed my communication skills via daily routine dealings with colleagues and clients as well as dealing with complex transactions. In my university studies, I was selected as class representative to present information to the department as well as to the new students during orientation. The chance allowed me to develop, expand my communication skills, and gaining confidence to present information on broad range of people. Furthermore, I have the ability to learn, think quickly, and manage changes. My role in office at the University best demonstrated my ability to learn and think quickly. I was able to study and memorize price list in one week. In the roles I have undertaken so far, I have demonstrated a desire to develop new skills and knowledge. I have volunteered to attend conferences and pursue short courses. I believe lifelong learning is crucial to the survival of employee in today's working environment. My real time at various offices, workplaces, volunteer organization reflects a capacity to adapt to change quickly and at ease. Over the past one year, the entire university has experienced a new set of responsibilities in various departments. My positive attitude, supported with my ability to multitask has enabled me to manage small or big project quickly and successfully. My previous position as a financial auditor and coordinator helped me to demonstrate my commitment to quality customer service at Accounting clubs and volunteering organizations within our university’s locality. Throughout my experience, I received an award for going beyond the call of duty to satisfy client needs. It was an achievement that I am proud of. My ability to deal with a diverse range of customers enabled me to provide better services that were both respectful and personalized. Furthermore, in my previous role as financial auditor and coordinator, I have received testimonials from customers, thanking me for my great services. Beyond, I have the ability to teamwork. I have the potential to support and encourage team members on different occasions. My role as a financial auditor in various departments and organizations is to support accountability and continuous improvement to desired results. My experience in office work environment enabled me to build interpersonal skills to communicate well with the customers. Sharing and receiving phone calls was my best chance to create a suitable environment to interact with our clients. I am able to mobilize team work towards the achievement of organizational goals and more so meet the deadline. In my position, I have to make sure that the company is in good terms with its clients to avoid inconveniences. As a result, the company was in a position to achieve its strategic plans. References [1] P. C. Tulsian, Financial accounting, India Dorling Kindersley, 2006. [2] “The Accountant,”Journal of the Institute of CertifiedAccountant of Kenya, Nairobi ICPA, 2002. Read More