It's a fairly daunting prospect starting a new career as an accountant, especially if, as with many of us, you're not from a finance background. Just getting your head around Double Entry (once you've had a little snigger) requires a considerable amount of brain power.

We've recently taken on some new starters, or 'newbies' as I like to call them, and having been in their situation not so long ago I find myself at once envious and sympathetic towards them, for whilst a new start is invariably exciting it can also be really difficult to know what's expected of you.

So in an effort to help I've asked around the office to find out what people expect from a new starter in the hope of finding some useful advice...

1) Have the right attitude
By far the most popular comment; be enthusiastic, show a willingness to learn and perform those tasks which have been assigned to you. We all know that the first set of jobs you're given won't necessarily be the most exciting (cash and banks anyone?), but the sooner you show you're a capable and willing team member the sooner you get to work on the more exciting stuff.

2) Be professional
An obvious one but not necessarily easy when it's your first 'proper' job. Simple things like being on time and organised, being well presented (don't turn up to the clients in a hoody), talking in a professional manner with clients and colleagues, good manners etc all go a long way towards giving the right impression.

3) Don't be afraid to ask questions
No one expects you to understand what you're doing all the time, especially when it's all new. If you're having difficulty with something then please, please, please ask for help! You might feel like you're being a nuisance but it's much better than spending a day doing something wrong and then either you or another team member having to redo the work.

4) Be pro-active
At the end of the day you get out what you put in. If you're finding your work too easy talk to your senior/manager and see if there's something more challenging you can be doing, ask for feedback on how you can improve your work (nobody is perfect) and if you identify a gap in your skills/knowledge ask about getting the right training to fill it.

5) Be a part of the team
Take you turn in the tea rounds, if you find you've finished what you're supposed to be doing see what you can do to help others, be social and go to events outside of the office (it's often much easier to talk to senior staff when they have a glass of vino in hand!) and if you notice your senior is working from the crack of dawn until late in the evening why not offer to pitch in and do a bit extra without being asked, it will be very much appreciated.

It's far from an exhaustive list, and to some people it's probably fairly obvious stuff, but hopefully it will help make someone's life a little easier!