My name is Rosemary and I started work here at SCG on the 22nd of May 2017 as an intern. Being my first practical internship, I had qualms on my mind. How will the people be? What is required of me? These are a few of the many questions that were on my mind. I chose SCG because I needed a lot of on-the-ground experience, which I felt any of the big 4 accounting firms would provide for an intern.
And how right I was. Right from my first day at SCG, the orientation and training was intensive. I must say, I was quite surprised to find that the company had a training room; a room set apart for training sessions. I was given a job description and a training schedule. Right from day one, I started my Xero training. It involved a lot of self-study, even outside the office. I had to read about the Ghanaian tax law, financial reporting and even auditing. Along the line, we had a Kolbe Training Program which was very useful to me. It has taught me a lot about myself and how I can capitalize on my strengths.
I’ve learnt some vital life lessons from here. It began the second day here when George, one of the managing partners asked this question I will never forget “what do you want out of life?’’ It was a question I had thought about several times but I had never really put into words. I knew what I wanted but until that day, it was only a picture in my mind I wouldn’t be able to explain clearly to anyone. After that experience, I started putting every plan in words, just like the Bible recommends in Habakkuk 2:2. Nothing was allowed to just remain in my mind. I had to document it, that’s how you get accountable. I’ve learnt professionalism even in answering phone calls and responding to emails.
As an intern in the Client Accounting Services department, I am probably one of the busiest interns here sometimes having to close at 7. I have access to bank statements and expenditure sheets of clients to work with. I’ve learnt confidentiality and integrity here because you have to be able to defend every entry you make, with a source document; some sort of proof. I have also learnt to be diligent, because just a little negligence on my part could escalate into a big problem for our clients, especially with regards to statutory payments. Being in this department has given me the opportunity to practically demonstrate what I’m studying in school.
Over the weeks, I built friendships and acquaintances. The people here are very friendly and supportive – always willing to offer you a helping hand. Being the only intern from the University of Ghana, meeting and working with the interns from Ashesi University has given me the opportunity to learn about how other students are preparing for their future. The SCG book club has also been very beneficial.
Aside the people and the many things I’m learning here, I can’t deny that I will miss the food at SCG when I leave. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it in the contract. SCG is a great place to build a career in finance. And some day in the future, I hope to come back here.
