The Accounting Leadership Development Program experience

As the end of their time in the Accounting Leadership Development Program (ALDP) approaches, the spotlight shines brightly on Dami and Brett. Their journey through this groundbreaking program has been a dynamic blend of hands-on experiences, strategic challenges, and insightful mentorship. These future leaders have navigated the complexities of corporate finance with determination and flair, setting the stage for a promising career in accounting. Let’s explore their stories and see how ALDP has shaped their professional paths.

For those who may not know, what is the ALDP rotational program and how did you first hear about it?

Dami: A college recruiter reached out to me about the rotational development program. What intrigued me most was the fact that you get to rotate and learn new aspects of the business. It is like having two different jobs in two years.

Brett: During my first semester of graduate school, I found out about the new Accounting Leadership Development Program through the co-op opportunity I was inspired to pursue this program as it was flexible with school and would give me an opportunity to learn how accounting works in the industry.

What has been the most exciting project you’ve worked on and what did you learn from it?

Dami: I would say, my current rotation in audit services. It was exciting for me to see and learn how other organizations at AT&T work; from the office of the president to customers service and advocacy.

Brett: The most exciting project I have worked on was SOX reporting for leadership. I got to learn about the bigger picture and what is important for reporting purposes.

How do you see your current role contributing to your long-term career goals?

Dami: I am currently in my second rotation in Audit Services and on my fourth audit project. I have been able to gain understanding of many business units and skills, like Inventory accounting, customer service, and account payables. All these experiences will help me make better informed decisions on my career journey.

Brett: One of my biggest long-term goals when starting at AT&T was to become CPA certified. Being with other ALDP members that are also working towards the same goal has been very inspiring. I have currently passed three out of four of the CPA exams and I’m working towards taking the last one.

Can you describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?

Dami: I faced some challenging moments in my first rotation when the Associate Director on the project resigned. This happened in January of 2024, we were down to two people with a lot of added responsibilities. It was a rough start to the year, but with effective communication and strong collaboration we were able to overcome that period and achieved so much.

Brett: During my first rotation a report that I used for one of my monthly tasks had to be run multiple times to get all the data needed. The challenge I faced was how best to optimize it. I By learning more about the system from coworkers and the system’s manual I was able to then use the knowledge to edit the query in the report to get all the data needed with one run. Which made things a lot more efficient.

What skills have you developed or improved upon while participating in ALDP?

Dami: Communication, leadership, analytical and research, teamwork, and problem-solving skills are just a few. I worked a lot with different databases in my first rotation, I learnt SQL, Power BI, and improved tremendously on my Microsoft Excel. Technology is evolving every day, and I need to keep improving and developing new skills to stay relevant and updated.

Brett: Because I started as a co-op while doing my Master’s, this program has helped develop my accounting skills alongside school. I also have improved my skills with the various tech systems used in the accounting process at AT&T.

Who has been your biggest advocate or source of inspiration in ALDP?

Dami: My Program Coordinator is an exceptional woman. One of the many valuable guidance I have received from her is, “The relationships you build today are your network tomorrow; continue building meaningful relationships.”

Brett: The biggest influence so far was my first rotation supervisor. The one piece of advice he gave me when I first started was to take the time to really understand why we are doing a certain process, as that understanding will go a long way.

What have you found most appealing about the culture here at AT&T?

Dami: The company’s principles resonate so well. For me, it means do the right thing every time and do your best in everything.

Brett: The aspect I find most appealing from AT&T’s company culture is the the motto “win as one.” This aligns with my personal values of loyalty and compassion.

Why is it so important to keep up with the latest industry trends? How do you do it?

Dami: I follow industry news and attend Finance Live Seminars. There is so much information out there – Google, LinkedIn, and YouTube are platforms I visit a lot to learn, read, and research.

Brett: The way I stay up to date on is by listening into the quarterly earnings calls. The rotational program does a great job having events around the quarterly earnings calls with speakers that answer any questions that you might have related to the call. I have learned key metrics that leadership is focused on and telecommunications industry jargon that is used frequently.

What advice would you offer future ALDP participants?

Dami: Have an open mind to learn and learn as much as you can. Ask questions and reach out for help if you are struggling with a task. Lastly, network and build meaningful relationships.

Brett: Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it can be intimidating when you are first start, but everyone I have interacted with is open to helping. Make connections – making connections with other program participants and with your rotation team members will carry forward through your career. Attend program events – Program events are designed to help make connections and help further your understanding of the business.

As Dami and Brett are ready to embark on their next big adventure, we are looking forward to the fresh wave of talent that will continue to drive excellence in our accounting programs.