Meet The Team - Kanika Sharma - Trainee Accountant
Meet Kanika Sharma, a Trainee Accountant at OSK. She holds a degree in Business from ICD Business School (Master's in Accountancy) and a post Graduate Diploma from DCU.
We sat down with Kanika to talk about her experience as a Trainee Accountant in OSK and share her insights for other aspiring trainee accountants!
What made you choose a career in accountancy?
I’ve always had an interest in working with numbers and problem-solving, and over time, I realised that accountancy offers a strong foundation in these areas. I particularly enjoy accountancy as it provides the opportunity to help businesses thrive by ensuring their financial records are accurate and compliant. Additionally, accountancy offers lots of career opportunities, the chance for continuous learning, and the potential to progress in lots of different industries, which really excites me. I’m eager to develop my skills and contribute to a company’s success while growing within the profession.
What does a typical day look like for a trainee accountant at OSK?
- Review of Emails & Daily Tasks: You’ll start your day by checking your emails and any updates from your team or manager. You might receive instructions or updates on current projects, client needs, or deadlines.
- Reconciliations: You may be tasked with reconciling bank statements or checking ledgers to ensure that all records are accurate and aligned with financial reports.
- Assisting with Financial Reports: As a trainee, you’ll often help prepare financial reports, such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. You might input data, generate reports, or check for errors under the supervision of a senior accountant.
- Meeting with Team Members or Clients: You might attend meetings with senior accountants to discuss ongoing projects or meet with clients to gather information or clarify financial details.
- Audit Support: If you're involved in an audit, you may help prepare documentation or check client records to ensure they’re in compliance with accounting standards.
- Reviewing Financial Statements: You may also help review or assist in the preparation of financial statements, ensuring that all records align with accounting standards.
- Wrap-Up and Review: Before finishing your day, you’ll likely review any tasks you’ve completed, communicate with your manager about your progress, and plan for the next day.
Is there variety in the work?
Yes, there is lots of variety in a trainee accountant role, which is one of the aspects that I enjoy about the job.
Here are some examples of the variety in my role:
- Different Types of Clients: At OSK trainees handle different types of clients from various industries, each with unique financial challenges. This allows you to gain exposure to diverse accounting practices. For example, Big hotels to small manufacturing companies.
- Variety of Tasks: Your daily tasks can range from bookkeeping and preparing financial statements to assisting with audits.
- Problem-Solving and Analytical Work: As you gain more experience, you may be given more complex tasks, such as financial analysis. These tasks can add a problem-solving element to your day.
- Learning Opportunities: You'll also have the chance to learn new accounting software, regulations, and industry standards, ensuring that the work remains interesting and challenging.
What kind of support and training does the firm provide to help trainees qualify as accountants?
- Study Leave: OSK provides study leave to trainees who are working toward professional qualifications, such as ACCA, ACA, or CIMA. This allows you to take time off work to focus on your exams.
- Financial Support: OSK covers the costs of exam fees, study materials, and even provide subsidies for the cost of the qualification itself.
- Tuition Supports: OSK partner with professional accounting course providers (such as AccountancySchool.ie and Griffith College Dublin) to offer structured courses that align with the exams. These tuitions may include classroom sessions, webinars, or online learning platforms designed to prepare you for the exams.
What’s the best part of being a trainee accountant in OSK?
- Learning new skills: As a trainee, you’re constantly learning new skills—both technical (e.g., accounting software, tax laws, financial reporting) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, time management). The opportunity to grow professionally is one of the most exciting parts of the role.
- Support from OSK: The support from OSK—whether in the form of study leave, financial help for exam fees, or mentorship—helping me work towards becoming a fully qualified accountant.
- Work-Life Balance: OSK Offers flexibility in terms of working hours or the option to work remotely, especially as you progress in your role. This helps to manage the demands of both professional development and personal life.
- Team in OSK – I enjoy working with the team of trainee and qualified accountants, learning from others and having some fun along the way!
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for a trainee accountant position?
Trainees should understand the role like researching what the role involves, they should know the qualification to work toward professional certifications (like ACCA, ACA, or CIMA). Being open to learning and development will help you succeed and grow in the role. The journey to becoming a fully qualified accountant can be challenging, especially with exams and study commitments. Stay patient and remember that the experience gained in your trainee role will pay off in the long run. As a trainee, you’ll receive feedback from more experienced accountants. Take it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
OSK currently have four positions available for trainee accountants to join our audit team for the Summer/ Autumn Graduate Recruitment 2025 intake.
Click here to find out more and apply.
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