Your PER
Case study - finding a relevant role
28 Nov 2008
In order to gain your practical experience requirements (PER) you need to find a relevant role in accountancy and, once you have, find the right opportunities in order to fulfil your performance objectives, which is not always an easy task. ACCA blogger, Angela Jeffrey, tells us how she recently found her role in finance and how she intends to complete her PER.
How did you find a relevant role in which to start you PER?
When I began studying in September 2006 I was working in the planning department for the Port of London Authority, the public body that looks after the River Thames. My work was economics and statistics based and my intention was to study for the ACCA exams while continuing in my current job, making sure that the change of career was what I really wanted to do.
After studying for 18 months I had managed to perform well in the ACCA Qualification exams and, more importantly, I knew that I was enjoying the ACCA course and wanted to move to a financial role. I picked up the courage to ask my manager whether there were any opportunities for me to work in the finance department and, in doing so, complete my PER.
It must have been my lucky day because my manager laughed and asked whether I could read his mind. Apparently, my exams success had not gone unnoticed and the possibility of my moving into finance had already been considered by management. A desk was available in the finance department, and I grasped the opportunity immediately, transferring to my new office that very day. I thought it best to make a quick exit from my old department in case somebody came up with a reason for me to stay.
Unfortunately, the move meant that I lost my superb view of the River Thames in what was a spacious and quiet office. I now sit at a cramped desk from which I can only see the river if I stand up and strain across the office. However, it is such a joy to be working with people who also have a love for numbers.
What support are you getting from your employer?
My first concern on joining the finance department was whether I would be able to gain the depth of experience that is required while working for an organisation whose main function is not accountancy. My worries were dispelled the more I understood the depth and breadth of accountancy work that takes place, which I expect is the case in many finance departments in medium-sized companies. In fact, it has already become evident that working in a smaller organisation will enable me to take on a great deal of responsibility from an earlier stage.
Luckily my employer has provided work experience for a number of trainee accountants over the years, and is both experienced and willing to take the time to ensure my training is sufficiently varied.
I have a nominated workplace mentor, but since I am taking on a variety of work I have a number of people who are supporting me and who I can go to for advice. So far, they have all been extremely helpful in accommodating my needs, with a number of people taking the time to explain and show me how to do things.
How are you approaching your performance objectives?
In an ideal world I would have liked to link the exams I am studying with the performance objectives I am currently working towards. However, since I have already taken eight exams, which is more than halfway through the course, my studies are ahead of my practical experience. So, in practice, I have had to look at the finance work I have been given, together with my job related objectives, and see how they can be aligned with the PER objectives. I only started my PER in February 2008, so as of yet I have not completed any of the objectives.
How does achieving your PER fit in with your work objectives?
After starting my new job in finance I visited the ACCA website to download the advice and guidelines on gaining my PER. There is a comprehensive amount of guidance and examples of relevant activities for each of the 13 performance objectives that must be achieved. While the quantity of information initially seemed daunting, I'm fairly confident that by taking each objective separately, I can integrate the requirements into my work-related goals.
To follow Angela's progress through her PER and exams, visit her blog 