Ben Starling is currently studying Accounting and Finance at the University of Hertfordshire. He has experience working in customer service roles at Betfair and Good Energy, where he handled customer queries over email, phone and live chat regarding technical issues, payments, and more. Starling also has accounting experience from working with small businesses and doing work experience at the ESRC. He has strong leadership, communication, problem solving and numeracy skills developed through his education and work. In his free time, Starling enjoys music, playing squash and leading Christian youth camps.

1. Ben Starling
1 Charter Close, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 2SJ
07506 576910
ben_starling@hotmail.co.uk
PROFILE
I am a hardworking, confident and determined student currently studying Accounting and Finance. During my time at University I
have worked with people on my course and individually to complete essays and project work relating to Accounting and Finance.
I also spent a year being the treasurer of the Christian Union Society, this involved handling the society’s finances as well as
attending meetings and inputting into decision making. I am currently working as a customer service operator for Betfair.
Key Skills
Leadership and Group working
I have been involved in multiple group assignments at University, some of which I took on the role of the leader. The group work
ranged from group essays to presentations and involved working together to collect, analyse and evaluate information to a
deadline at a high quality.
Numeracy and IT skills
In addition to taking maths and further maths at A level I have carried on developing my numeracy skills at university which has
enabled me to expand my excel knowledge while adding to my numeracy skills and critical thinking. I have experience in
creating basic websites using html during my A levels and I have also built a working desktop pc in my spare time.
Communication and problem solving
While working at Betfair I am constantly replying to e-mails or taking calls. Most of the time this then requires me to look into the
customer’s problem and solve it while continuing to communicate with them.
Multitasking and Remaining calm under pressure
While working at Betfair I am normally talking to multiple customers at the same time, each with a separate query. Being able to
multitask and remain calm under pressure helps me to balance how much time I spend on each chat to reduce the waiting time of
the customer without reducing the quality of support I give them.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Accounting and Finance 2012 - 2016 University of
Hertfordshire
BA (hons)
Modules Studied Include
• Economics for Business
• Law for Accounting and Finance
• Cost and Performance Management
• Strategic Cost Management
• Strategic Management Accounting
• Advanced Corporate Reporting
• Advanced Corporate Finance
A Levels 2010 – 2012 Devizes School Sixth
Form
Mathematics
Business
Further Mathematics
As Level 2010 - 2011 Devizes School Sixth
Form
Merit – ICT
GCSEs 2008 – 2010 Devizes School 7 GCSE’s, including an A in
Mathematics and a C in
English

2. Work Experience
FiT Advisor – Good Energy Sept 16 – Present
Good energy one of the UK’s leading renewable energy suppliers. My roles include:
• Adding meter reads to customer’s accounts
• Query chasing
• Data entry
• Data checks
• Creating Vlookups in excel
• Responding to customers emails
Customer Service Operator - Betfair Oct 13 – September 16
Betfair is an online betting company which I worked for on the customer support side of the business. My roles included:
• Customer support via: phone, emails and live. Some typical issues would be:
o Technical support
o Promotion issues
o Bet settlement issues
o Payment issues
o Verification of identity and address
• Helping to train and develop new employees.
Red Direct Clothing/Anthony Brown Consulting June 15 – Sept 15
These are small businesses which I did some accounting work for. My roles included:
• Using Xero to manage the accounts of several companies.
• Uploading and filing invoices and receipts
• Bank reconciliation
• Creating csv files
• Payroll management.
Store Volunteer - British Heart Foundation Feb – 10 to Oct – 10
My roles included:
• Stock taking
• Stacking selves
Accounting Work Experience - ESRC March – 09
I did my school Work experience at the Economics and Social Research Council, working in the finance department.
My main responsibilities were to input and sort data using Excel, improving my knowledge and ability to use it.
Interests and Achievements
Outside of work and university my interests mainly revolve around music and sport.
I have been involved in some of the most prestigious South West orchestras and music groups, including the Wiltshire and
Swindon Youth Orchestra, the Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra and I lead the Devizes and District Wind Band for two years. I
have also achieved grade 8 in Jazz Alto Saxophone and grade 6 in Drums.
I was the chairman of the University of Hertfordshire’s Squash Club, this involves being the main contact for the club as well as
arranging events, organizing the team and doing the admin for the club. I have also represented the university at squash at various
occasions. I have also participated in the Devizes squash leagues, playing against people of all ages and establishing relationships
with my opponents.
In the summer I help lead Christian youth camps which consist of various fun activities and Christian teaching to children aged 5-
12.
I have a full clean driver’s license.
References available at request.