© Aviva plc

Being A Chartered Accountant at Aviva

Denise Wright

3 February 2011

My credentials

• Aviva UKGI Finance Graduate Recruitment Scheme is in its 7th year of operation

• We currently take on 6 graduates each year

• Every graduate offered a place on our scheme has accepted it

• No graduate has ever voluntarily left our scheme

• Two of our graduates have been prize winners

Outline

• The Aviva UKGI Finance Graduate Recruitment Scheme

• The Aviva graduate recruitment process

• Hints and tips from “the other side”

The Aviva UKGI Finance Graduate Recruitment Scheme – an overview

3 year scheme

Future leaders of the

business

6 positions available this year

3 different placements

Buddying, counselling &

mentoring all available

ICAS qualification

Placement profile

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

SeptICAS Test of

Competence (TC)

Placement 2

ICAS Test of Professional

Excellence (TPE)

Permanent role

Oct

Nov

Placement 1

Placement 3

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

JunICAS Test of

Professional Skills (TPS)

Jul

Aug

UKGI Finance – what do we do?

Commercial Finance

Treasury

Tax

Operational Effectivene

ss

Financial Accountin

g

Planning &

Reporting

Business Partners

Financial Control

Tax Reinsurance Technical

Industry vs Practice

• Intensive studying periods, then work placements vs ongoing exams

• Extensive study leave, with accommodation provided

• Exceptional coaching / mentoring support

• Varied experience in FTSE 100 company

• Competitive starting salary

• Competitive bonus, share awards and pension

Aviva UKGI Finance Graduate Recruitment Scheme

•http://careers.aviva.co.uk/

•We have vacancies

•Assessment centres 23 February 2011, 8 March 2011

•For further information contact

•Denise Wright 01603 686469

•David Murie 01603 687488

•Apply now and you could have an offer within a month!

The Aviva Graduate Recruitment Process

•Application Form •Where do you see yourself in 5 years time•Why Aviva / why accountancy

•Killer questions•300 UCAS points•3 year + visa•2:1 degree in any degree discipline

•Telephone interview

•On line testing•Numerical and verbal (high benchmark for numerical reasoning)

•Assessment Centre

The assessment centre

•What sets us apart•Staffed by senior finance staff•Evening meal•Lots of time with existing and ex-graduates

•What do we do•Interview•Validate testing!•Group exercise•Individual exercise(s)•1:1 debrief

•Remember we want you as much as you want us! It is a two-way process.

Hints and Tips “from the other side”

The fundamentals

•Maintain eye contact

•Look interested / be interesting

•Interact with others

•Ask questions

•Be energetic / do not fade into the background

•Use positive language

•Listen actively

•Look smart

•Have confidence in yourself – you are there for a reason

Hints and Tips “from the other side”

Giving examples

•Be specific

•Be clear what your personal involvement was

•Use work examples if you can (else use sporting or hobbies)

•Don’t end your example with a pull back

•Don’t attempt to fill a natural silence

•Be prepared – think about your biggest achievements / learnings in advance

•Don’t make examples up – the assessor will be able to tell

Hints and Tips “from the other side”

Completing exercises

•Consider what your prospective employers are looking for:

•ability to build rapport;

•time keeping;

•team impact / team player;

•decision making;

•clear communication;

•persuasiveness;

•bigger picture.

Hints and Tips “from the other side”

Be prepared

•Make sure you know something about the company you are visiting and the training scheme you are applying for

•Plan answers to likely questions in advance

•Consider your career not just the job on offer

•Use wiki –jobs – often assessment centre materials have been leaked by previous candidates

•Practice group exercises

•Contact previous applicants e.g. Facebook

© Aviva plc

Any questions?

© Aviva plc

Enjoy the recruitment process

Be yourself

Remember they want you as much as you want them!