Internship weekly report 3
Points Possible: 12
Training Completed
-What training were you able to complete during the last 30 hours of training?
1. I have been given the oracle manual guideline. In order to clarify every point, that was unclear for me, I tried to follow what it says. The accountant did a great job and helped me to clarify all the difficulties.
2. I have been given the section's policies & procedures to study. With the help of my supervisor, I managed to make everything clear for my understanding. Therefore, now I am aware of the section policies.
3. During my training in collaborator’s sub-section, they explained to me that the section Account payable (AP) is related to them. If the invoices they received were approved, we could pay for them the expenditure. This is how I learned how the process of the payment is done.
4. I found out more about the payment process, for example, it could not be done without the covering cost budget set.
5. I have learned how to deal with different cases and solve the problems if they occurred.
6. I was trained to recognize and resolve errors in the invoices that were not approved in the payment process.
7. I have learned how to check the invoices amount in the Expenditure Reimbursement Form. By checking that amount, I was confirming accuracy and completeness to the invoices amount.
8. I have learned how to extract the Award number, project number, end date from the system and place them in the Expenditure Reimbursement Form.
Trouble Shooting Skills
-Did you face any problems or difficulties? If so, how did you solve them?
-Did you receive any compliments and/or criticisms during the last 30 hours? If so, what were they?
While my training in the account payable (A.P), the collaborators & the members of the financial report sub-section were asking for help in some task. That was disturbing me during my training in this section though I was glad to help them and share my experience.
New Skills Learning
-Did you learn any new skills? Explain
Time management skill; how to arrange my time to deal with the workload on time.
Communication skills in the workplace, how to professionally be in contact with my supervisor and co-workers.
How to check misstatements in the invoices that were sent from the collaborators so as process the payment.
Re-check the budget to approve the invoices that were sent from the collaborator to process the payment immediately. The time, which was set to finish it – maximum 3 days.
How to describe the Award's mission and check the budget available for them.
Work Environment Assessment
-What were some of the advantages and disadvantages you found in the work environment during these 40 hours?
-What contributions did you make to the organization?
I have assisted the accountants and helped them to minimize the workload. I was checking the invoices. The employee double-checked them. This is how we can ensure correctness. In addition, I helped my colleague to cover the workload and finished a portion of the work when he had meetings. Moreover, I rechecked the invoices that were related to Purchase card form - (P-card). I was checking the waybills and bank statements from the bank regarding the payment done which the collaborators sent.
Summary of Learning and Benefits Achieved
-Overall, what did you learn during these 40 hours? And how are you benefiting from these 40 hours of training?
I became familiar with the computer system software Oracle and had the possibility to develop my skills in using it. I learned more about my university's Finance Department, especially the Grant Projects and Contracts Accounting sections, its policies and procedures. For now I can decrease the number of errors, check the available budget for each project. As it was already mentioned, I have learned how to work in a team, gained success in communication with the workmates and discovered a lot of useful tips which will help me in the future with my work.
