Article written by Leslie Rochat

During my search for an apprenticeship position as a commercial employee, I was faced with a wide range of possible professional sectors. Public administration, banking, insurance and real estate all represented different environments and ways of practicing the profession. The fiduciary sector was one of these options, even though I did not yet fully understand what working in this field involved on a day-to-day basis.

After sending several applications across different sectors to increase my chances, I was eventually hired by Synergix SA. Today, after two and a half years as an apprentice in a fiduciary firm, I can take a step back and clearly see how advantageous this choice has been, both for my education and for my future career.

Discovering Accounting from a Different Perspective

At the beginning of my apprenticeship, I was not particularly interested in accounting and had only a very basic understanding of it. Like many people, I had a rather abstract and theoretical image of this field, without really knowing what it involved in practice. It was through daily work and hands on experience that I discovered a profession that was far more interesting and stimulating than I had initially imagined.

Over time, I learned to appreciate the logical and structured nature of accounting. Understanding how an entry is processed, analyzing figures and seeing a financial situation gradually take shape brings a sense of clarity and real satisfaction. This rigorous and coherent aspect progressively appealed to me, to the point where I can now see myself continuing professionally in this field. This discovery was one of the key elements that strengthened my interest in fiduciary work and confirmed my career choice.

Learning the Basics of Accounting in Real Life Conditions

Throughout my studies, I had the opportunity to exchange with apprentices from very different professional sectors. As we progressed in our training, a clear difference appeared between those working in fiduciary firms and those evolving in other environments.

Thanks to daily practice, apprentices in fiduciary firms, myself included, were able to understand and absorb the accounting concepts taught in class more easily. We could immediately connect the theory learned at school with the situations encountered at work. This regular practical application allowed us to understand the logic behind each accounting entry, visualize processes and integrate accounting mechanisms more efficiently.

A Highly Educational Apprenticeship from the Very First Years

One of the major advantages of completing an apprenticeship in a fiduciary firm is that apprentices are quickly involved in concrete and meaningful tasks. From the very first years, the role is not limited to observation, but includes active participation in the company’s internal processes. This gradual immersion makes it possible to feel useful and integrated within the team quite rapidly.

Unlike some environments where responsibilities come later, fiduciary firms offer continuous skill development. Each task assigned is part of a real context and has a direct impact on client files. This responsible approach strengthens motivation and helps develop a strong sense of professionalism from the very beginning of the apprenticeship.

Guidance from Experts: Learning as Close as Possible to the Profession

Working in a fiduciary firm, I have been fortunate to be surrounded from the very beginning of my training by experienced professionals who provided genuine support, both in learning the profession and in building my confidence over time. This guidance was not limited to daily tasks but was also present when I encountered difficulties in my studies or struggled to fully understand certain concepts.

Having accountants and payroll specialists nearby allowed me to ask questions in real time and immediately understand mechanisms that would have taken much longer to grasp through theory alone. This direct contact with expertise makes learning more dynamic and concrete.

Beyond technical skills, this support also helped me better manage busy periods, structure my work, and gradually adopt the professional reflexes specific to the fiduciary field. By observing and working alongside experts, I became familiar with the requirements of accuracy, rigor and discretion that are essential to the profession.

Expanding One’s Skill Set

By completing my apprenticeship in a fiduciary firm, I had the opportunity to discover how many different types of organizations operate. This diversity represents a major advantage compared to more specialized sectors. In some fields, apprenticeships are often limited to a single type of activity, which can restrict the overall understanding of the economic landscape.

For example, in a real estate agency, even when an apprentice works in accounting, tasks and processes remain focused on the real estate sector. In a fiduciary firm, on the other hand, each mandate is different. This makes it possible to become familiar with the realities of SMEs, NGOs, associations, and various companies active in different commercial sectors. This diversity enriches the learning experience and provides a broader and more comprehensive view of the commercial employee profession.

Managing Mandates, Responsibilities and Autonomy

Working in a fiduciary firm involves managing several mandates simultaneously, which quickly led me to develop my sense of organization and prioritization. From the beginning of my apprenticeship, I learned how to structure my work, respect deadlines, and adapt to the specific requirements of each client. This way of working allowed me to gradually gain autonomy and efficiency.

Over time, the trust placed in me by my supervisors increased, enabling me to take on certain tasks more independently. This progressive assumption of responsibility is highly educational, as it prepares apprentices concretely for the realities of the professional world. It also taught me to be rigorous, to anticipate potential issues and to fully assume my role within the team.

This organization of work also helped me manage my time more effectively and meet sometimes strict deadlines. By learning how to plan my tasks and anticipate busier periods, I developed a structured working method that will be useful throughout my professional life, regardless of the sector in which I may later evolve.

A Steppingstone Towards Many Careers Paths

An apprenticeship in a fiduciary firm provides a solid foundation and opens the door to numerous professional opportunities. Thanks to the skills acquired, it is possible to move into various fields such as accounting, taxation, payroll management, human resources, or business consulting.

This diversity of career paths allows apprentices to avoid specializing too early and to build their professional journey progressively, according to their interests and objectives. Personally, this apprenticeship has helped me better understand the different options available to me and to project myself more confidently into my future career, with the certainty of having acquired solid and recognized foundations.

An Apprenticeship That Builds Self Confidence

Starting one’s professional life in a fiduciary firm can seem intimidating, particularly because of the responsibilities involved and the level of rigor required. However, this environment allowed me to gradually gain confidence. By facing real life situations and receiving constructive feedback, I learned to trust my abilities and take initiative.

At first, each new task represented a challenge, but over time and thanks to the support I received, these challenges became learning opportunities. Being able to correct my mistakes, understand their origin and observe my own progress allowed me to improve in a concrete and sustainable way.

Seeing my skills develop and my responsibilities increase over the months helped me realize how far I had come. This confidence gained during my apprenticeship goes beyond the professional framework. It also gave me valuable personal assurance, essential for approaching the next steps of my journey with calm and motivation.

I got (sh)it done!

Completing an apprenticeship as a commercial employee in a fiduciary firm represents a particularly educational and rewarding choice. Thanks to the diversity of mandates, guidance from experienced professionals and the close link between theory and practice, apprentices acquire solid and directly applicable skills.

This training not only allows the development of in-depth technical knowledge, but also helps build autonomy, confidence and professional maturity. It offers a broad understanding of the economic world and opens the door to many career opportunities.

With the perspective gained from two and a half years of apprenticeship in a fiduciary firm, I can now confidently state that this choice has been a real asset to my professional journey. It enabled me to build strong foundations for the continuation of my studies and to look towards my future career with confidence.

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