Finding a workplace mentor

The first task for a trainee to achieve his or her PER is to get the support of a workplace mentor, who plays an important role in the achievement of the trainee’s PER. A workplace mentors supports a trainee’s development in the workplace and reviews the trainee’s progress and achievement at work by helping the trainee identify which performance objectives they should aim to achieve. They also help the trainee plan the experience needed to achieve targeted performance objectives, evaluate the trainee’s progress on a regular basis, and review the answers to the trainee’s challenging questions. A workplace mentor also signs off the trainee’s performance objective.

A trainee’s workplace mentor should be someone who works closely with the trainee, who knows the type of work the trainee undertakes, and who also knows the quality of the trainee’s work. A trainee’s workplace mentor should be a qualified accountant, and if they are not ACCA members, they should be a member of a professional accountancy or audit body recognised by law in the country in which the trainee works. A trainee may also have more than one workplace mentor or several different workplace mentors over a period of time, all of whom are responsible for helping the trainee to achieve the different performance objectives.

As I am now working in the audit department of the Deloitte Shanghai office as an associate auditor, it would be ideal for me to choose one or more audit managers as my workplace mentors. My counsellor, an audit manager who helps me to plan and manage my own career through effective goal setting, and who is a member of The Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants, may be the most suitable individual to be my workplace mentor, because he supervises my work and knows the type and quality of my work. So I have decided to make an appointment with him to talk about the issues of being my workplace mentor.

In my opinion, no matter whom you choose as your workplace mentor, he or she must have the knowledge and experience to support you. Your workplace mentor will be assessing whether you have met performance objectives, so it is crucial he or she has the expertise to do this.

Comments

[Kassira]

Hi,

I've just enrolled to sit for ACCA exams and I'm wondering if my supervisor could be my mentor. I previously have a 4 years experience in Internal Auditing.
My supervisor was a Chartered Accountant (from France).

The problem is, I've just changed a company (still as a senior internal auditor) and my new supervisor is not a qualified accountant but he is member of an audit body (ISACA) and he holds the CISA. Could he be my workplace mentor?

ISACA is not an IFAC body but an associate member. He is also member of the IIA.

PS: I'm also an IIA member and I'm currently sitting for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) which I already have some of the papers.

Thanks in advance.

Regards

[Halima]

I'm about to start my RAP for the Oxford Brookes Bsc Degree in Applied Accounting. I haven't got a clue where to start as I am currently on a career break and have no line manager or mentor, as yet.

Any helpful suggestions as to text or websites that may help with regards to organisations that I can use would be greatly appreciated.

[brian chadzamira]

I found this article so helpful - it made re-evaluate and view my mentor from a different angle.

[Kandole Isaac Businge]

Thanks for the advice. Now I know who to choose as my work place mentor - someone who will help me build my career.

[Nga Nguyen]

I am thinking of moving to Australia to finish my last paper and also get wider knowledge. Is there anybody in Sydney who can help me find a good tuition provider in Sydney and give me some advice on finding a training job as well?

[haytham]

I am so greatful to belong to this global family (ACCA students) to share experiences and to meet people from all over the world.

Haytham, Sudan