5MNST010W Managing and Leading People for Finance and Accounting Assignment

1.0 Introduction

The finance and accounting industry within the “United Kingdom” is developing and evolving rapidly. The appropriate skills, knowledge and experience are necessary in order to be successful in this field. Being the student of the “University of Westminster” and studying the course of the discipline of “Accounting and Business Management”, I see the importance of realizing my own strengths and weaknesses at the moment. The portfolio shows my personal and professional growth in the course of the “Managing and Leading People” to Finance and Accounting module. It contains an analysis of my capabilities, my aspirations, and an investigation of the “UK labor market”. In the report, the significant theories of “leadership and management” presented in the module are also applied. I want to demonstrate how I am getting ready to play a graduate position in the finance industry and that is why I have linked these elements. To reinforce my plan of career in this competitive industry, the portfolio has my evidence of work-based learning, employability award as well as current CV.

At Native Assignment Help, students can explore finance and accounting assignment samples to understand reflective writing, career planning, and the application of leadership and management theories. Our Assignment Helper UK service offers subject-specific guidance on skills development, employability, SMART goals, and UK labour market analysis. Use this sample to understand how to organise your ideas and connect academic theories with professional experience.

2.0 Discussion

2.1 Skills reflection and Professionals Goals

2..2.1 Identification of the “Self-Evaluation”

In the past couple of years, I have also undergone work experience in different fields such as “hospitality and administration” as well as finance support. These experiences assisted me in developing good communication, teamwork, and time management skills. I have served various teams, received customer complaints, and worked at rush time (Gardi et al. 2021). They have taught me to be calm when pressure is incurred, the ability to solve problems fast, to adapt to new environments. My previous job as a ground steward at EasyJet involves duty safety and helping passengers, and this has served me in enhancing my observation skills and organisation capability (Zimon and Tarighi, 2021). I was also an accounting assistant, in that I had to “process invoices”, prepare payment runs and assist in payrolls. These responsibilities made me have an idea about finance working and also made me become confident about simple accounting procedures.

2.2.2 Determination of Skills gap

Despite establishing a very solid background in the field of “communication and customer service”, I still require enhancement of my digital and technical skills (Nwakoby, 2025). Most finance jobs involve the knowledge and familiarity with software, like “Microsoft Excel”, accounting tools, like “Sage or SAP, and other digital applications”. Currently, I am at the entry level in Excel and would like to take up short online courses to advance. I should also develop some confidence in leadership and presentation skills (Koskelainen et al. 2023). Writing reports and declaring financial information in a descriptive way is significant in this discipline. Through the enhanced skills, I would be in a better position to meet the demands of employers and take up graduate job opportunities.

2.2.3 The focus on construction of the “SMART Goals”

The smart framework allows to set realistic and clear goals. . SMART means “Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound”. My personal SMART goals that lead me to develop in the area of finance are given below.

The 3 to 6 months Short-Term Goal is:

Specific: Take two online courses relating to LinkedIn Learning including “Microsoft Excel and the basics of financial systems”.

Measurable: I will be issued with certificates of attendance

Attainable: The courses are non-demanding because they can be learned during any convenient time.

Relevant: Excel and finance tools are some of the digital skills that are necessary in the finance field.

Time Specific: I shall be able to work on both courses within 3 to 6 months.

Mid-Term Objective of the 6-12 months:

Specific: Take an accounting or finance based finance placement or internship.

Measurable: I will especially make 5 target applications.

Achievable: There are opportunities provided in university and job platforms.

Relevant: A placement will provide actual working experience, and will enhance employability.

Time-bound: I will also practice and in the next 6 to 12 months, I will be in a placement.

The 12 months/ 2 years Long-Term Goal:

Specific: Attain the job of a junior accountant or assistant in finance at a graduate level.

Measurable: I will monitor the applications and interviews in a bid to secure an offer.

Feasible: This position is achievable, with better skills and experience.

Relevant: This objective is in line with my interest in the career and studies.

Time bound: I would like to get this job in 1-2 years post graduation.

3.0 Graduate and labour market role analysis

3.1 The desirable job position

In United Kingdom, my favorite graduate job is as a “Finance Assistant or Junior Accountant”. The given role corresponds to my educational background concerning “Accounting and Business Management” and to my past employment in the field of administrative and finance-related responsibilities (Calderon and Ribeiro, 2024). I like numbers, problem-solving and assisting in the financial works. The position will make me develop within the finance sector and will provide me with possibilities to achieve the knowledge on how to enter more advanced positions in the future.

3.2 Trends in Labour Market

The labour market in the UK is in the process of reformation because of the “advancement of technology, cost-of-living, and economic changes” (Lassoued and Khanchel, 2021). There is still demand in the area of finance and accounting but employers now prefer graduates to be well versed in a combination of both hard and soft skills. Based on the “CIPD (2023) Labour Market Outlook”, more than 60 percent of the employers in the United Kingdom across industries, such as the financing industry, consider the information about digital skills that has become fundamental among new hires (Rikhardsson et al. 2021). There are also job descriptions that require “Microsoft Excel, Sage, QuickBooks, and cloud-based accounting software”.

According to the “Office for National Statistics (ONS, 2023),” the ongoing demand towards the employment of finance professionals was also stated, demonstrating the stable rate of job openings in the accounting and bookkeeping sectors. The employers are concentrating on recruiting individuals who would be effective and who would amalgamate with the new systems (Sedyastuti et al. 2021). The increasing utilization of automation implies that software is currently used to perform routine tasks and thus human workers are supposed to spend more time on the analysis, reporting and decision-making. [Referred to Appendix: 1].

The other major trend is the movement of hybrid and remote work. Most jobs in the finance sector have become flexible whereby, graduate staffs will need to utilize time and work without close supervision (Ediagbonya and Tioluwani, 2023). There is also a requirement of communication skills, as well as digital collaboration skills. Such trends indicate that graduates planning to venture into the finance industry should be assured that they can use technology besides demonstrating the ability to perform in a flexible work setting. [Referred to Appendix: 2].

3.3 The expectations of the employers

The UK employers require the new graduates to be trustworthy, professional and capable of undertaking finance processes properly. They are also interested in individuals with attention to details and time and who are deadline oriented.

The typical work of a graduate finance position involves data entry, processing of invoices, creation of spreadsheets and assistance with monthly financial statements.

I did similar activities as an employee of Ashdown Group, this time acting as an “Accounting Assistant”. I dealt with invoices, helped run payment runs, I ran checks on staff expense forms, and I helped within the payroll and the finance department (Pamisetty, 2023). This practical training enabled me to learn about the expectations of junior finance employees to the employers. I was also introduced to the fact that we need to adhere to the procedures in the finance area and interact well with other departments (Alam et al. 2021). All these duties are comparable to the requirements of job postings in the United Kingdom on such websites as Indeed and according to Statista.

“Jeanne Weger placement learning experience”

 In my course, I undertaken 35 work-based learning hours. This experience enabled me to know how workplaces in a real world are. I learned to obey orders, become a supporting team member, and get feedbacks with supervisors. It enabled me to enhance my collaboration, management of time as well as professionalism. Above all, I got to know how to transfer what I was taught in lecture rooms to the actual finance practice, which boosted my confidence and made me better prepared to secure a position in a graduate job.

4.0 Application of the different types of leadership theory and the management theory

4.1 Discussion of the style of leadership

Based on the various leadership practice that I have been involved in, I believe that my natural style of leadership is affiliate as a leader (Goleman, 1998). This style aims at the establishment of intense emotional relationships and achieving harmony at the workplace. I have experienced this through working as a team during customer service, and houses. I am keen to make people feel good and criticize or complain, which is why I usually tell them that I am ready to listen to their suggestions and behave with peers to make their life friendly and respectful. I also use the elements of democratic leadership that implies open discussions and an opportunity given to everybody to make a contribution. It played helpful role when working in teams and when carrying out tasks and projects that required my assistance in communication to be smooth and participation to be equal.

4.2 Understanding of the Polytope based on the Practice of Theory

The Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle (1984) is what makes me self-examine my experiences. I experienced every level of doing the task, reviewing what occurred, knowing why, and coming up with a future word of what to do in the Employability Award or work-based learning (Hasan et al. 2021). One way in which this approach assisted me is that I am now more conscious of my strengths and weaknesses that I need to develop. I also consider very applicable Human Capital Theory by Becker (1993). It tells how education, skills and training make the value of an individual grow in labour market. This helps me in my choice to undertake additional online courses and find placement experience so that I can be more employable.

4.3 Sustainable leadership is ethical

My adherence to trivial values of ethics, such as honesty, fairness, and respect, has always been transferred to all my jobs. I know how to preserve financial data in confidentiality and also handle co-workers and customers with respect. These are values without which it is impossible to create trust at work. Being a future professional in the finance field, I wish to be a leader who can promote sustainability and fairness in every activity undertaken in the course of work.

3.0 Conclusion

The portfolio has allowed me to be aware of the existing strengths and remaining skills to improve. Through management theories and analysis of the UK labor market, I have managed to work out a realistic plan of my career. Now I understand that digital skills, leadership and ethical behavior are essential in the finance sector. In order to become even better, I will attend short online courses and will earn more practical experience by attending internships or placements. I hope that in the long run, I will find myself in the graduate finance job, in which I can assist business decisions and pursue professional values. This module and Employability Award equipped me with valuable tools and experience that will accompany me in the job market and make me feel more confident.

Reference List

Journals

Alam, M.M., Awawdeh, A.E. and Muhamad, A.I.B., 2021. Using e-wallet for business process development: challenges and prospects in Malaysia. Business Process Management Journal, 27(4), pp.1142-1162.

Calderon-Monge, E. and Ribeiro-Soriano, D., 2024. The role of digitalization in business and management: a systematic literature review. Review of managerial science, 18(2), pp.449-491.

Ediagbonya, V. and Tioluwani, C., 2023. The role of fintech in driving financial inclusion in developing and emerging markets: issues, challenges and prospects. Technological Sustainability, 2(1), pp.100-119.

Gardi, B., Abdalla Hamza, P., Sabir, B.Y., Mahmood Aziz, H., Sorguli, S., Abdullah, N.N. and Al-Kake, F., 2021. Investigating the effects of financial accounting reports on managerial decision making in small and medium-sized enterprises. Bawan Yassin and Mahmood Aziz, Hassan and Sorguli, Sarhang and Abdullah, Nabaz Nawzad and Al-Kake, farhad, Investigating the Effects of Financial Accounting Reports on Managerial Decision Making in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (April 28, 2021).

Hasan, M., Le, T. and Hoque, A., 2021. How does financial literacy impact on inclusive finance?. Financial innovation, 7(1), p.40.

Koskelainen, T., Kalmi, P., Scornavacca, E. and Vartiainen, T., 2023. Financial literacy in the digital age—A research agenda. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 57(1), pp.507-528.

Lassoued, N. and Khanchel, I., 2021. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on earnings management: An evidence from financial reporting in European firms. Global Business Review, p.09721509211053491.

Nwakoby, C.S., 2025. Leadership In Educational Management. UNIZIK Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 19(1).

Pamisetty, A., 2023. AI Powered Predictive Analytics in Digital Banking and Finance: A Deep Dive into Risk Detection, Fraud Prevention, and Customer Experience Management. Fraud Prevention, and Customer Experience Management (December 11, 2023).

Rikhardsson, P., Rohde, C., Christensen, L. and Batt, C.E., 2021. Management controls and crisis: evidence from the banking sector. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 34(4), pp.757-785.

Sedyastuti, K., Suwarni, E., Rahadi, D.R. and Handayani, M.A., 2021, April. Human resources competency at micro, small and medium enterprises in Palembang Songket industry. In 2nd Annual Conference on Social Science and Humanities (ANCOSH 2020) (pp. 248-251). Atlantis Press.

Zimon, G. and Tarighi, H., 2021. Effects of the COVID-19 global crisis on the working capital management policy: Evidence from Poland. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 14(4), p.169.