Fiona Kerolli

Current Employer/Organisation Name

Haysmacintyre LLP

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I graduated from Exeter in July 2019. I then started my training contract with Haysmacintyre LLP in September 2019 training as a chartered accountant for my ACA qualification. I’ve been working there for almost a year now.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

I studied maths with accounting at Exeter and have done work experience in accounting departments at different firms therefore I was interested in working in accounting and getting my qualification as my first step.

Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?

I was a member of the Surf Society and Volleyball Society, and I was treasurer of the Women in Business Society in 18/19.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

I enjoyed having a mixture of maths and accounting modules which provided me with a variety of learning material and helped to balance out my revision when it came to exams, as I didn’t feel like it was an overload of one subject. The best highlight out of my three years at university would have to be graduation day and sitting in the hall whilst the choir sang Bohemian Rhapsody.

What did you enjoy most about studying here?

I loved the campus and how close my flat was as well as how close town was. Everything was a walking distance therefore it was so easy to get about and visit friends as well as going to lectures. I loved the surrounding scenery and being able to escape to the beach on the weekends. I took advantage of the beach trips with the Surf society on the weekends where we would visit some of the most beautiful beaches in England. This definitely helped with stress relief and winding down.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I chose Exeter because of the exceptional and respectable reputation, being one of the top universities in the UK. I also chose it because of the location, being close to beaches and areas of natural beauty where I could easily escape to. This was a nice change from living in London my whole life.

What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?

I did a summer internship after my second year at university at a regulatory compliance firm which was highly insightful and great experience. It has helped to boost my CV as I was given many different jobs over the three months that I worked there. I also volunteered with the Exeter Student Volunteers on one of their summer adventure projects. Volunteering helps to make your CV more unique and shows your employer about any causes or interests you care about.

What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?

Try and get some experience in accounting (no matter how big or small the firm). I started off work experience in a tiny office of about 10 accountants which was highly valuable as I was able to learn a lot more and was given a lot more work to do. In my time at Exeter I emailed one of my accounting lecturers who was the treasurer of the BAFA (British Accounting and Finance Association) after he mentioned it in one of his lectures. I shadowed him over a few weeks whilst he was preparing accounts and other schedules. Therefore, show an active interest in the topic and try and reach out to lecturers in the business school. I would started applying for grad jobs as soon as possible so that you can get a head start on the lengthy applications and keep your options open. If you are in your first or second year there are so many insight weeks and summer internships that you can apply for which give you a head start to grad jobs and help you secure it without having to apply.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to complete my ACA qualification and then get some experience as a qualified accountant. After that I would like to look at working abroad as the qualification is recognised in several international countries.