Immersion in the accounting industry’s peak period is the optimal way for students to see life as it is. And so the School of Accountancy made the decision to modify its academic year 2003-2003 to accommodate a new internship period. From December to February, third-year School of Accountancy students embarked on their internships with the Big 4 and several local accounting firms. Having completed their internships, these students have entered the modified term and will sit for their examinations the first week of June – one month later than the regular exam period.
The efforts to ensure that both students and employers benefit from internships have received resounding support from the industry’s leading accounting firms. Four SMU students, who interned at different audit firms, share their experience with smuhub.
smuhub: Did you enjoy the work? Why?
Aw Xin-pei: I enjoyed the work as it challenged me. I had to work on a first-year client, with no previous work papers for reference. I had to design test procedures, which forced me to evaluate the best and most efficient way of auditing a certain figure. It was extremely
fulfilling to be able to meet the requirements of my seniors.
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smuhub: How have you benefited from working during the peak period?
Angeline Koh: During the peak period, everybody was pressed with deadlines. I am glad that I could contribute to the team by assisting them in the audit. I realised what it was like to work at “full throttle”. Although the staff could not dedicate much time to explaining and teaching, that was offset by the amount of work assigned.
smuhub: In your opinion, have you gained from this exposure, something you would not have gained from the classroom? What did you gain?
Elsie Lin: I got to see how auditors worked in real life and saw how theory is applied in reality. There were also instances when theory is overturned in practice. From this internship, I am finally able to apply the concepts learnt in class to the work done.
smuhub: Has this experience changed you? How have you changed?
Sarah Seow: I’ve become a lot more appreciative of the accounting profession, particularly when I see the time and effort put into the jobs that need to be done. I’ve also learnt how to behave and communicate appropriately in a corporate environment. But most of all, I’ve come to treasure my time as a student a lot more.
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