Josh R.

Senior Accountant

Actuarial and Finance

Keen to receive questions about

ApplicationsCareer DevelopmentCareer TipsEligibility AdviceEveryday LifeInterview AdviceOpen RolesOur CulturePeople & DiversityRoleWhy usWork & Life with Us

Top Insider Advice

The key advice I have given to all applicants and new starters is that Phoenix is a company where your opportunities are significant and plentiful. The key to capitalising on this is to be proactive, take the time to understand and reflect on your goals and achievements and communicate openly and honestly with the team around you about how you want to progress/operate within the business. The business can be fast paced and although all the resources and help are made available, it is incredibly important to make yourself accountable and seek the information you need for yourself. People are always willing to support you here but have respect for those who have taken the time to consider their requirements carefully and actively seek support before it becomes a critical requirement.

Career path

Senior Accountant

Phoenix Group

Started 11/2015 to Present

Company

What do you like about your job and the company?

As a relatively central function within the wider finance team at Phoenix. I am often closely interacting with team members from across the business with very specific knowledge and skill sets. This helps to develop my knowledge of the business and gives me an appreciation for how the work my team contributes to the business adds value. I also get the chance to work on a broad range of activity which averts boredom through saturation. I really enjoy being a line manager and supporting the team to develop as professionals really motivates me to do my best. This might include regular one to one sessions, workshops, training or just a general discussions. I love to see people with a desire to grow flourish and it always fills me with pride to see a member of staff be recognised for their good work.

Greatest achievements

At the start of 2021 my role changed and I was made responsible for a new team that would be comprised of staff from two locations following the purchase of standard life into the Phoenix group. Coming from the Phoenix side of the transaction was a challenging experience as a huge amount of harmonisation was required to bring the teams together. This involved the embedding of new controls, networking with new teams, understanding the operations and reporting of the new entities, switching reporting ledgers and hierarchies and most importantly, supporting both my old and new teams through the transition. This significant change had a huge impact on the stress levels of the teams and helping them to traverse this new landscape by being as supportive, understanding and as informed as possible felt like a huge achievement.

Other insiders

David B

Senior Risk Manager

Top Insider Advice

Only you will truly know yourself and what you do and do not like. When you are deciding on a role you have to weigh up is it appropriate for you, but also what is your 'gut feel'. Not just about the role, but the people and organisation. You will spend many years of your life in the workplace, so it is critical you enjoy what you do. I have been fortunate in that 95% of time I have loved the work, experiences and people I have worked with. There will always be tasks we don't quiet enjoy, but it is my fondness for the role which has kept me here for 22 years

View profile

Alexis A

Lead Business Analyst

Top Insider Advice

I started as a Pensions Administrator when I first joined the company. Since then, I have worked in Finance, Mortgages, Testing and then onto Analysis where I became a Lead managing others to develop in their role. The company is large, and opportunities are presented regularly to allow you to try out jobs you may have an interest in until you find the right job for you. The company also supports staff in life changing events allowing me to go part time and then when the kids are older to increase my hours to ensure I have the right work life balance.

View profile

Jonathan M

Top Insider Advice

Be open to new opportunities, which make you smile We are in a growth business, and a growth mindset compliments this. I am a big believer in doing things which make you happy and working on your strengths. I feel like I have found this here

View profile

Discussions with Josh R

What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to excel?

in Career Tips·Monday, November 21, 2022