Behind the doors of the Accuracy Office

Consulting is such a wide term and one that is constantly thrown around, especially in a business degree. I always hear everyone talking about how they want to go into consultancy, but I never really understood what it was, so when given the opportunity to attend an office visit to Accuracy alongside the Women in Business society, I couldn’t say no. I would take any chance to learn about what this career is that people are so desperate to get into.

Accuracy is an international firm which operates in 14 countries with just under 800 employees. They aim to support corporate leaders with their decisions on strategy, transactions, disputes and much more. The company has a mission to provide their in-depth knowledge and expertise to their clients in order to help them face different situations. As soon as I stepped into the office, I noticed an intense but inviting atmosphere; the team worked quietly yet energetically.

The visit began with us being taken to a conference room which was set up nicely with a careers booklet and a pencil for each attendee. An associate at the company introduced themselves to us and explained the structure of the visit: introduction to accuracy, CV and cover letter advice, interview prep followed by a mock interview and finally a networking session.

A senior associate gave us an introduction to the company, mentioning their careers programs and a general insight into the firm. She explained that the clients of Accuracy span various industries, from law firms needing fact-checked documentation to corporate firms requiring market research verification. I learnt that it was key for Accuracy to build trust with their clients, ensuring the information they provide is impeccable. It became clear quickly that the company’s commitment to detail was what made them a sought-after partner in the world of information integrity.

With this foundation in mind, the next session involved learning how to showcase our skills accurately and persuasively on paper. The senior associate began by stating the don’ts of writing a CV, the things they never want to see. She then went on to tell us what makes an impressive CV and cover letter. Her advice? Begin with clarity and focus. She stressed the importance of conciseness and specificity; no employer wants to read a CV over one page long. The junior associate talked through her recent experience of applying to Accuracy and what she had done when creating her CV and cover letter. In terms of writing a cover letter, the main advice was simply to always customise each letter so it reflected the values and mission of the company which was being applied to.

By focusing on clarity, conciseness, and customisation, I walked away with a toolkit for constructing application materials that would stand out in a competitive field.

The next part of the visit involved gaining interview preparation advice and taking part in a mock interview. The interviewers challenged us to answer questions in a structured manner, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to tell a story but still showcase our skills. One valuable insight was that interviewers seek problem solvers who can articulate clear, strategic responses under pressure. There isn’t always a right answer to a question, sometimes your thought process is all that is being examined to see if you are able to demonstrate logical thinking and adaptability. Practicing these skills in a mock interview setting was a perfect way to refine my responses and gain confidence.

Networking might just be the most important thing you do at university, so I was extremely grateful when we were given the opportunity to meet some of the other Accuracy employees and ask them questions on their experiences. I learnt about all the different backgrounds that the employees had come from in terms of their degree but also their culture.

Leaving the Accuracy office, I felt equipped not only with new knowledge but also with a newfound appreciation for the precision and attention to detail required in consulting. I had gone to this event with a very basic idea on what consulting entailed and I left with enough knowledge for me to break into the consulting world if I chose to. Launching a career in consulting isn’t just about landing a position, its about understanding the intricacies of professional excellence and flawless communication. This visit was more than just an educational experience; it was a foundational step in shaping my career.