Aran Bal

A highly driven Banking & Finance MSc candidate (predicted Distinction grade) at Keele University, building on a (2.1) BSc (Hons) in Business Management and Finance. Obtained practical finance experience through consecutive summer placements at The Sikh Channel, assisting with financial reporting and stakeholder engagement. Academic grounding spans Investment Management, Risk Management with Derivatives, International Finance, and Digital Assets, equipping a strong quantitative and regulatory foundation.

Committed to a focused career in banking and financial services, with particular interest in commercial banking and financial risk, and a proven ability to deliver accurate, audit-ready financial work under real-world operational pressures. My ambition for the future is to complete Chartered Banker Institute (CBI) status.

Finance Assistant at The Sikh Channel (2022-06 – 2025-09)

Summer / Vacation Role

• Redesigned financial reporting spreadsheets, cutting monthly management account production time by 40% (five days to three), enabling faster executive decision-making.
• Maintained a sub-24-hour client query resolution standard, strengthening long-term relationships with key commercial stakeholders and reinforcing client trust.
• Introduced structured reconciliation workflows within XLedger, reducing end-of-period errors and ensuring audit-ready records.
• Processed and reconciled supplier invoices, expense claims, and payments within XLedger, maintaining an accurate and up-to-date purchase ledger.
• Assisted in the preparation of monthly and quarterly management accounts, providing supporting analysis to senior finance colleagues.
• Conducted regular supplier statement reviews, identifying and resolving outstanding items promptly to maintain healthy cash-flow reporting.
• Supported finance team in liaising with internal stakeholders (budget holders, programme teams) and external auditors, ensuring accurate and timely data provision.
• Maintained compliance with GDPR protocols across all financial records and client data handling.

MSc in Banking and Finance – Keele University (2025-01 – 2026-12)

BSc (Hons) in Business Management and Finance with a Foundation Year – Keele University (2021-01 – 2025-12)

NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Skills for Business: Enterprise – Sandwell College, West Bromwich (2020-01 – 2021-12)

GCSEs in English Language & Mathematics – St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Walsall (2014-01 – 2019-12)