I was assigned to train & supervise a few fresh graduates in the Accounting Department. For a start I taught them how to prepare full financial statements including the nature of trade debtors/creditors, other debtors/creditors, cash expenditure etc. Everyone jotted down the points including this particular trainee. He looked very clever & every morning he’d make noises teaching other trainees. I mean that’s good but make sure it’s the rite things.

The next day I taught them how to create the accounts using the accounting software. This particular trainee seemed not to listen & continued creating the accounts. Then I asked him the details & the terms as he seemed to know everything. He said he wasn’t familiar but giving the excuse that the other officer has taught him the quick way to build an accounts. I told him he shd select the suitable model from the lists as he’s not familiar yet with many things. He can use the quick way if he has the experience. But he kept telling me abt that officer teaching him the quick way.

I wasn’t angry yet as I thought he’s still very young. He was 21 yrs old then, just finishing his accounting diploma. So one day he asked a few questions & I started explaining & suddenly he “cut in” – “I know! What I mean……. blah blah blah……” Even though I’m known for my bad temper but I was still in control that day. Until one day when I checked his works – I screamed at him!!! He didn’t know how to differentiate b/n trade debtors & other debtors, trade creditors & other creditors. Expenditures paid on cash basis were treated as outstanding bills. The accounts he did was upside down. What was more annoying – he still got the gut to argue & defend himself. I guess for the sake of arguing. Luckily the other trainees did the right thing.

I thought he was this few handfuls of fresh graduates having this ego problem. I met one of my ex-bosses recently. She was having a bad morning as she was abt to prepare a report to be submitted on the following day & learnt the officer-in-charge (a fresh graduate) wasn’t around & late for an important meeting. Luckily her office assistant was around doing the meeting’s preparation & he seems to know better than the officer. She exploded like a nuclear bomb when the officer arrived. The refreshment served was only coffee & tea & she herself had to rush to buy the refreshment. And after that she had no mood to continue with her report. She kept mentioning – “Not that I never briefed my staff. I did but this particular officer never bothered to listen. I’m going to bring this to the Establishment Committee.” But she did not!!! Lucky that guy. There you go! Female bosses are not as CRUEL as the male bosses.

To the fresh graduates out there– make an effort to learn & listen. Set aside your ego even though you were top students in your university. You’re no longer in the campus but dealing in the real world where all the works & documentations not only must comply with the Msian laws/standards but also the specific procedures/rules established by the higher management/authority.

One more thing - learn to respect your seniors/superiors other than the big bosses. After all you're only trainees. You must know your limit & level of communication. If you're an officer, you must communicate with your General Manager (GM) & not your Chief Executive Officer (CEO).