Phil D.
About me
| Phil D. | |
| History | |
| History | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Vanbrugh | |
| 1981 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Audit Supervisor | |
| Nottinghamshire County Council | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Government and civil service | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 1991 |
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A day in the life of a Audit Supervisor in the United Kingdom
I am engaged in various aspects of leadership, planning management and supervision, involving an Internal Audit Team.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
I work for a county council. This is a so-called upper tier authority. It is the biggest employer in the county. It is a relatively stable part of the public sector.
What do you do?
I am engaged in various aspects of leadership, planning, management and supervision, involving an Internal Audit Team. Modern internal auditing involves the examination of systems of governance, risk management and control across the organisation.
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
Within a year of graduating, I was successfully interview to become a trainee with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, which placed me with my first council, South Yorkshire County Council.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
Following graduation I started a teacher training course at the University but withdrew. After this I came to discern that I wanted to work in the public sector in a back-office capacity.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Oddly it was years ago when a senior person in the Legal Service, having read an investigation report of mine, said it was the best such report he had ever read. Although I shy away from praise and can't really handle it, the kindness of that comment has always stuck in my mind. I can't even remember the details of the investigation!
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
The expectation is that we have the capability to provide assurance about, or bring improvements to, the services and systems of the Council. This requires team members to be able to work collaboratively, have high interpersonal skills with clients, carry out research independently, and write excellent reports.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
Taken as a whole, the Council's ethic is the serve the community. In this, there is also an important political dimension. There is a good work life balance. The working conditions are reasonably relaxed, but very business-like. The back-office especially has changed to new ways of working, including working at home.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I was very involved in the Christian Union, which did not develop skills so much as my priorities for student life and the future.
What would you like to do next with your career?
I am 59. As public sector pension schemes are very good, I did consider if I could retire at 60 however decided it was too early. I am therefore considering flexible retirement, which with my employer's consent would allow me to reduce my hours and withdraw some or all of my pension. In the latter part of my career I want to focus on the next generation, and pass something on.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
The main decision is whether you want to work - or at least start to work - in the public or private sector; for a charitable or voluntary organisation; or as a self-employed. Therefore it's important to identify what might interest and motivate you, not only in terms of career content but organisational and personal goals. Ideally, do not waste your early career years.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
My main knowledge is of local government, although I also had a career break working for English Heritage and National Trust among others. In terms of helping students, though, I am potentially happy to listen to anyone seeking someone to talk to. I have some knowledge of personality tests called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (I am INTP) and the Enneagram (I am a Type 5).
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
I feel for students in the current climate. If I can help anyone at all then I am happy to try to do so, I had a very difficult time sorting out my own life and career so feel empathy to those who realise (or otherwise!) they face similar difficulties..
Next steps...
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