Kerry Mae Remulla
Finance Trainee
New York

Explain the function of accounting/finance at ICAP and how your role specifically fits into this. Describe your main responsibilities and a typical team. ICAP's Finance team accounts for every dollar earned and/or expensed by the company and its employees. As a trainee, I've managed to dip my hands into various projects and departments. I worked in Account Receivables, collecting commission money from other companies and applying the cash received to the correct daily invoices. I am currently working with the General Ledger team and I have been exposed to general ledger accounting for the Company. At month end, my duties entail booking the monthly benefit standards, prepaid, staff loan, car lease and parking accruals. I also record the salaries, revenues and bonuses for business divisions such as Mortgages, Treasury, Equities and Harlows. In order to complete these tasks, communication between your team is necessary to avoid errors and double entries. My co-workers and managers are always eager to help and communication is always open. They are approachable as well as reliable.

How much interaction do you get with the rest of the business and what impact does accounting/finance and your role have on the larger business at ICAP? Aside from working and communicating with everyone in Finance, my supervisor is adamant about meeting the people at ICAP to build working relationships. Every month, I provide revenue figures to the brokers and communicate with them regarding their trade transactions (error, transfers, etc). We definitely need communication between business support and front office employees to avoid confusion and errors. Finance collects the commission revenue from the trades, applies the cash collected to the correct recipients, pays our suppliers/vendors , reimburses employees when needed, and accounts for every monetary transaction for ICAP. Each and every person in Finance has a significant role in the success of ICAP as a whole.

How did you first hear about ICAP and the role? My father's friend worked in ICAP's IT Finance Department. He heard about the internship in Accounts Receivable and knew that I would be interested. I applied for the position and attended an assessment centre which included an interview with Graduate Recruitment and the Accounts Receivable & Payables Controller.

What surprised you most about the company and your role? ICAP's involvement with hundreds of charity organizations is what really intrigued me the most. This global firm dedicates one special day for raising millions of dollars for charities all over the World, When I started with ICAP as a corporate intern, I really thought that I would just be doing meaningless tasks such as going on coffee runs and picking up print outs for my supervisor. However ICAP engages all their employees, even their interns. They actually took the time out to teach me how to use Oracle and Excel. They definitely invest their time in educating new employees about ICAP's business and their daily responsibilities.

Why did you choose the interdealer broking industry, ICAP and an accounting/finance role? I did really well in accounting at Stony Brook University, so I decided to focus on accounting as my career. I didn't really have any experience in accounting until I got to ICAP and received my training. I had read up on the interdealer broking industry at school and I had also heard great things about it. ICAP offers a great work/life balance and good career development which also really appealed to me.

What skills do you think you need to be successful in finance at ICAP? ICAP's Finance department in the US consist of over 30 employees with varying personalities. To be successful at ICAP you have to have a strong, driven, reasonable, and outgoing personality. A strong personality is necessary to voice your opinions and concerns. You also need to know how to listen. Social skills are definitely important. You need to be technically savvy, be able to work quickly using the computer and web browser, be able to solve minor computer glitches , be able to learn how to use software programs and be able to automate your work and to suggest easier ways to complete your task.

Describe a time you were under pressure to complete a deadline at work. When my supervisor was out during month end, I was nervous about making a mistake or error. I pulled myself together, took a deep breathe, and started entering standards and also booking the revenues and bonuses. Even though my supervisor wasn't in the office with me, she was definitely available via phone and co-workers were eager to answer my questions. I managed to finish the work that was pressing. I didn't complain about the workload, it was definitely a challenge and it's great that someone actually trusts you with the work.

How do the current market conditions effect interdealer broking and accounting? In accounting, we really see how the market conditions are affecting the company as a whole. We see the variances from month to month in terms of revenue, salary, bonuses and expenses. Some of the companies that we interact with have gone bankrupt, have merged with other companies or have government support so I am really pleased to be working for ICAP in the current climate.

What other things are you involved in outside of work, hobbies, interests etc..? I still participate with the Accessories Council's charity events. I used to participate in intramural volleyball and I continue to schedule volleyball meet ups with my college buddies. I love snowboarding, even though I'm still a beginner after boarding for 3 seasons already. I also enjoy travelling and I am hoping to visit Asia this summer!