“Well done” said her mum as Jemima walked in to the living room with a huge grin on her face clutching her newly bought bag for her interview.  She was glad her daughter had finally got a job, and knew she would do well.  The AAT qualification was priceless yet she still did not realise her potential, she was an accountant already yet didn’t know it.  Jemi  had been through struggles to get to where she is now.  Her father was redundant and could not find work for over 5 years so the family of six struggled on just her mum bringing back the funds.  Her mum was very good with her accounts as she had already supervised an accounts department.  “Yippee”, Jemi said and hugged her mum.  “So tell me all about the role”said her mum all eyes full of her daughter...Jemi couldn’t even begin to tell her about the junior role of accounts assistant at an international company in army Hants.  Nominal ledger reconciliations, intercompany accounts, prepaids, accruals, bank recs, purchase ledger, sales ledger – full control.  This was the ideal position and she wanted to do well.  Her good friend, Sintea, also worked there – well not so much a good friend but a chatter box and major issues with ex-boyfriends.  She has worked with her before and found her to be abit of a bully and never had the guts to say something.  Now Jemi was determined not to lose her job and to continue with her CPD.....to be continued.

She had been to an event at ICB and was recalling what the speaker was saying, “dress smart, have a brand, look neat..”,  “you’re your product...Jemi smiled at a navy suit located at Primark, costing in total £28.  A bargain and worth the investment.  Her friend, correction, colleague, Sintea, had sent her a message on twitter which was not professional but made her laugh,..”buy good push up bra...the young boss likes it.”.  I’m not responding to that message as she quickly flicked through the aisles of jewellery on display.  I cant afford any of it so will stick with the suit.  What else did they say,,,I cant remember...oh yes..always keep in touch and network.  Locating the i-phone in her bag she dragged it out and sent a text to the members division, thanking them for a wonderful evening.  That should be good enough.  The comment about the boss made her feel uneasy and she deleted it from her page.  Good.  Dont be dragged down.  Jemi’s first day at work was looming and she needed a good impression.  The interview itself lasted an hour and the HR lady scrutinised her every answer, they introduced a psycho test as she refers to it where they give you questions and you need to answer how you would best respond.  She remembered applying for a court of justice position and having to complete a similar round of questions so it was of no real shock.  Still exhausting.  They never mention that to you at the AAT.  Jemi always brought her little study book from taking the exams in June.  It was now August and she had a job.  Well done AAT.  Years of experience and at 28 she was late in completing the exams but she did it.  Some friends sisters had the opportunity to complete the exams at school which was a real depressing note.  Sixteen year olds have my qualification....OMG...I’m on the shelf...but them remembered she had the experience as well and the correct attitude.  Attitude was important for the role said Callum who interviewed her in his international office.  He was young, gorgeous and a star to ACCA, plus married with 100 kids...His background was the military and he had served in a war but this was told by her so called friend, Sintea.  

Jemi sat on the 54 bus home, I wish I had a car, I wish I had a  car, I wish I had a car..she wishes to much...Reading the AAT book she looked at the phone and wondered if she should take the AAT skillcheck test on the website.  Decisions, decisions...failure constantly on her mind.  If I take the test and fail then I can’t do my job.  She shook her head to dismiss the thoughts and continued reading about the absorption rate.  On the bus were various people who she had seen before – friends from college, an elderly lady she met in a store and a young man who was unemployed (she didn’t know him but had seen him around).  Alarm bell – you need to buy a small present for mum.  A cake, a bag of sweets..something so she knows she’s been thinking of you.  Production of sweets – what are the cost drivers and the activities.  Jemi promptly jumped from her seat because she was getting distracted and needed to buy the sweets.  “Hi”, an unfamiliar voice said to her as she was approaching the top step on the bus.  Jemi swung around to see the unemployed lad staring at her smiling..”I’ve seen you around...you look good...give me your number”..Jemi never had any events in her life and thought ok..and was about to pass her number to him.  Big mistake, massive..At the age of 28 with little money and a new job she just needed to concentrate and save her money.  I can always block it but then its awkward...scrap that .  No! Just get of the bus..she didn’t bother to respond and he just laughed.  Jemi’s sleepy town had recently been revived with coffee bars, a cinema and restaurants.  A new accounting firm had been created with the AAT letters.  They looked really young but competent.  Is it really that easy to set up your own company?  Her head was full of an empire being built on the back of 5p crisps and toffee humbugs as she ran passed the company.  “got the job then “...Jemi swung around and just froze.  Infront of her was her tutor from college.  “yyes..I did”,  she stammered.  Tutors always make me nervous.  “Well done”, it’s a good role.  Your friend, Sintea mentioned it to me when she came to college to enquire about classes.  “Really, classes? Said Jemi.  “Yes.  She seems to think very highly of you as you’re qualified and she is not.  Maybe you could help her, support her as she is studying and working”.