Senior Management Accountant, Reckitt
Jiarui completed her BA Accounting and Finance degree at the University of Liverpool Management School, graduating in 2015. Since graduation, she has worked in multiple accountancy roles in Ernst & Young and Logicalis. As a qualified Audit Senior, she has worked with clients spanning across various industries and is currently Senior Management Accountant at Reckitt.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Liverpool Management School?
I originally came from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in China. I decided to study in Liverpool because I wanted to gain an understanding of the culture and accounting systems operating in the UK.
I believe the teaching in the Management School is of high quality. Studying this highly accredited course means students are eligible for exam exemptions, such as ACCA exams, up to strategic professional level papers.
How did you use the university careers service?
I found the “Application Masterclasses” organised by the career service to be informative and practical. The sessions are presented by employers to give students an idea about their company and the application process.
However, unlike the traditional career talks, students are given the opportunity to undertake mock interviews with recruiters. The feedback received is invaluable for future job applications.
How did you use the university careers service?
The “Application Masterclasses” organised by the Careers & Employability team are informative and practical. Employers present at sessions to give students an idea about their company and the application process. Students are given the opportunity to undertake mock interviews with recruiters, the feedback received is invaluable for future job applications.
How did your degree course prepare you for your current job?
The course laid a solid knowledge foundation for my current role. When I started my professional career, I realised that the content I learned from my degree was closely linked to the modern business world, with modules designed to help me understand the principle of the work I performed. I gained understanding of the accounting standards that are the basis for corporate reporting. It has been exciting to apply what I learned at the University of Liverpool Management School into real practice.
What did you feel was the most rewarding element of the course?
The most rewarding part of the course was developing various skills, such as commercial awareness. We were encouraged to read business news at the very beginning of our study. Some lecturers also incorporated current business issues into the course material. When I applied for jobs, commercial awareness was one of the key abilities that employers were looking for.
What did you enjoy most about your student experience?
The thing that I enjoyed the most is the supportive teaching and learning environment. The teachers on my course were friendly and approachable. They are willing to help you as much as they can. Whenever I met difficulties in my study, they were available either during office hours or through making appointments. In addition to traditional classroom lectures, online recorded tutorials and podcasts are being used so students can review materials at their own pace.
Did you undertake a placement/internship?
I interned as an audit associate at an accountancy firm in China during the summer of my studies. This was because I wanted to gain insight into what an auditor’s work is like. During my internship, I was exposed to a variety of clients which I found quite interesting. From this experience, I decided to take auditing as my first career choice.
What are your career goals for the future?
I want to continue to gain experience with clients spanning across various industries, specifically Technology, Retail, Media & Entertainment and Manufacturing. My long-term career goal is to work in FMCG/Technology industry.