Ben Minnaar - Regulatory Analyst Contractor
Ben Minnaar is currently working as a regulatory analyst contractor for Credit Suisse
What career advice would you give someone who is just about to qualify?
Never stagnate in your current role just because you're not yet sure what direction to follow career wise. Instead, take on a challenging role (perhaps on a temporary or contract basis) that might not be your end goal but equips you with valuable skills which could be a stepping stone to greater things. Career progression often necessitates a change in roles and companies anyway - and you don't want to be considered outdated, with little or no transferable skills, in a global and competitive environment.
Why did you choose your career path - the role and the banking industry?
I chose the banking industry because it allowed me to broaden my horizons and gain a different perspective from the practice environment I was used to. My role as a regulatory analyst allows me to analyse the movements in exposure to various products and counterparties of the bank and allows me to build my knowledge without limiting my scope to any individual product. My skills after my current role will be highly transferable
What skills or attributes do you think someone needs to be successful in your role?
My role requires good people and communication skills coupled with a willingness to learn. Intermediate spreadsheet and analysis experience would also be required and some previous experience of banking regulation or financial services experience would be a bonus but not essential.
What does your role involve?
My role involves analysis of movements in the bank's capital requirements due to risk and exposure to certain products. Movements need to be analysed and material or unusual fluctuations followed up with product control and risk management. Reasons and commentary on material fluctuations need to be documented and are forwarded to the regulatory reporting team which consolidate the information for reporting purposes.
What do you enjoy most about your role? The industry?
It's challenging and not repetitive. Each day brings variances and movements on different products and thus an opportunity to learn something new. It's very much a team orientated role and you're also able to gain a bigger picture of the banking environment.
And anything else you think might be useful career advice to a qualifying accountant:
Deciding what to do after qualification is perhaps the most difficult decision. My advice would be to choose an industry and position that has some of the characteristics that you've found appealing in the past but that also offers you some room for development.