At SAS Accountants, we are always pleased to support students by providing them with the opportunity to gain real-world experience in accounting and business. Recently, we welcomed a Year 12 student from Townsend C of E School for a one-week placement. During their time with us, they explored different aspects of the profession, from bookkeeping to tax returns, and gained first-hand insight into the day-to-day life of an accountant. Below, they share their reflections on what they learned during the week.
“During my time here at SAS Accountants, I have learned a huge amount, from what it takes to be an accountant or the options employees have to develop their skills, and increase their influence on the company, whether it is working in the micro department or becoming a junior accountant, and even up to the top of their employee hierarchy
I am currently in Year 12 at Townsend C of E School, where I am studying A-level business, economics, and maths. I have always been interested in the world of finance, and accounting has been my dream career for as long as I can remember. I chose to complete my work experience here because I was interested in what it’s like to be a younger employee in a professional firm.
I was intrigued by the amount of software and technology used at SAS. I worked with apps like Dext, Xero, Employment Hero, Inform Direct, and Sage. I was involved in CIS tax returns and VAT returns, which helped me understand how companies claim back taxes when VAT registered. I also did some bookkeeping, which showed me how businesses record, organise, and maintain their financial transactions. This appealed to me because I’ve always been interested in the finance side of business and how companies manage their money to maximise profit and growth. Using Xero, I looked at receipts and analysed whether they were eligible for a tax return and if they charged VAT, for example, Uber does not charge VAT, but fuel and mileage can be claimed back.
I was surprised by the number of young accountants in training, which created a relaxed and enjoyable working environment with people of all ages and levels of experience. I also observed the onboarding of a new employee, which gave me insight into the induction process at SAS. Talking to staff helped me improve my communication skills while learning about the various routes into accounting. I also gained more knowledge about tax and the different responsibilities accountants have. At times, I was challenged by the people I shadowed, as they quizzed me and gave me tasks to test my understanding and help me retain what I had learned.
Something I enjoyed most was speaking to the employees and learning about their different career paths. This helped me understand the routes into accountancy, whether through apprenticeships or qualifications, and gave me more clarity about my own options. The team at SAS was very welcoming and approachable. They answered all my questions and shared useful advice, giving me a clear picture of what day-to-day life as an accountant is like.
One of my favourite tasks was working on a profit and loss account, where I could see how a business generates revenue and manages its expenses. I was surprised by how many businesses are owed money for long periods, and it was interesting to see how this impacts cash flow and profitability. Another key takeaway was the importance of communication. Whether drafting emails, preparing reports, or sending figures to clients, the teams always communicated effectively, often through Slack, which helped create a strong sense of teamwork.
From the beginning, I was welcomed into a team that values mentorship, transparency, and professional development. Everyone, from junior staff to senior members, was approachable and invested in the success of both clients and colleagues. Over the week, I developed key skills, gained valuable insights into the profession, and became more confident about my future career choices. Speaking to staff who joined straight from sixth form also showed me that there are multiple routes into this field.
My time at SAS has motivated me to work even harder at school so that I can increase my chances of joining a firm like this in the future, perhaps even SAS itself. Most importantly, I now understand how crucial accounting is not only to business operations but also to strategic decision-making.
I am incredibly grateful to the team at SAS for giving me this opportunity to learn and grow, and I would like to thank everyone here for being so welcoming and supportive during my work experience.”
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