My First Year as a Graduate with RBK - Brian Cooney, Audit Senior

Brian Cooney, Audit Senior

RBK

I joined RBK as a BSc Accounting graduate in September 2018, where I started my training contract in the Audit department of the Dublin office. Thanks to RBK’s “buddy” system, I was made to feel welcome from the start and mentored by my work buddy. Soon after, I was given the opportunity to travel on site as an audit junior where I met clients face to face and worked together with my team on audits.

As well as working on several audits in my first year, I was also given the opportunity to gain experience in working as part of RBK’s Credit Union Team. This involved completing external audits, quarterly internal audits as well as risk and compliance reviews. I am also involved in the preparation of accounts for companies as well liaising with clients. In my opinion, RBK gives an excellent and well-rounded training experience.

By the end of my second year in RBK I had been given the responsibility of being senior on many audits which enabled me to develop as a professional and to develop my leadership skills. This involved conducting audits of clients in various industries including property development, retail, hospitality and Credit Unions. RBK takes pride in their trainees achieving a qualification at the end of the training contract and with my final ACA exams to sit this year, I feel reassured with the support given to me by RBK which includes paid study leave and ongoing CA diary mentoring.

There is an active social committee also in RBK also. I have made friends for life during my time here and I am gaining the knowledge and experience I know I need to succeed.