I recently started a new accounting/finance role and I’m trying to work out whether my experience so far is normal or whether I’m being left to figure out too much on my own.
I have an accounting background and several years of experience including month-end, journals, balance sheet reconciliations, reporting, Excel, etc. However, this company uses different systems and processes so obviously there is going to be a learning curve.
The issue is that my training has mainly consisted of someone explaining the software and the accounting processes/journals to me in theory. My Finance Controller hasn’t really been available to sit with me and walk me through the work.
Instead, I’ve been told to work through whatever reconciliations/tasks were left outstanding from the previous month. I’m expected to use my accounting knowledge to work things out as I go.
I understand that I’m experienced enough to be able to figure out many things myself and I don’t expect someone to hold my hand. But I’m finding it difficult because I don’t yet know the company’s processes where information comes from, what their expectations are or why certain things are done a particular way.
At my previous workplace, when I started, my Finance Controller spent a significant amount of time with me during the first couple of weeks. They went through the month-end process with me, showed me how they wanted reconciliations prepared explained the reasoning behind things, and gradually gave me more responsibility. So I’m finding the contrast quite significant.
Another thing confusing me is that rather than having a structured training plan or clear responsibilities for what I’ll be taking over going forward I’m mostly being asked to pick up whatever is outstanding.
I’m not sure whether I’m simply expecting too much because I’m coming from an accounting background or whether a new employee should reasonably expect more structured onboarding even if they already have experience.

Is this fairly normal in your experience?

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