Intern/Trainee Review

Receiving coaching on a variety of tasks from associates and senior associates to aid with audit work. I mainly worked on sampling and completion activities of the audit work ensuring it's complete and accurate. It also involved both in-person and virtual interactions with clients to receive deliverables and gain understanding of client procedures.

I've learnt to embrace help as well as my team in all aspects as they're there to reach the same short-term end goal of completing the current audit engagement we are on so I'm never a burden. I've learnt to embrace a challenging mindset as it helps my understanding as well as the audit.

In theory, this programme is great and close to perfect for this career path. Unfortunately, in practicality, the university side of the programme can have a slight sense of exclusivity. Most of the weekly socials are focused around alcohol, which isn't inclusive for those that are sober, struggle with mental health and are less fortunate in the ability to afford that lifestyle socially.

I believe the structure of the programme is close to perfect, however due to how the placement falls it leaves the semester 2 content very tight and a very quick turnover with exams. I personally would prefer all the university-written exams to be taken in semester 1 leaving semester 2 to focus on the professional ICAEW written exams.

PwC is rather supportive, in both the office style as well as in supporting their employees with general life events. They have been very understanding of my anxiety and disability and I have never felt pressured to change or hide any difficulties I've had and have even offered to put things in place to try aid my work-life.

The university is incredibly supportive, they aided me in getting a diagnosis as well as extra support and adjustments surrounding the delivery of material and exams. I'm yet to formally encounter ICAEW however my exam adjustments are to be put in place for those exams, so I have nothing negative to say.

I believe the modules we are taught greatly aid our placements and future career, although that is because they're tailored to give us exam exemptions to give us a 'flying start'. However, at the minute the modules have aided me in feeling less clueless in performing my tasks as I understand the theory behind them.

There are office socials, however due to the timing of my placements I never experienced one due to it being busy season, and as to be expected everyone is too run-off their feet to organise a social. Therefore, I do not feel I can answer this question accurately, however there is a pool table in the office which aids socialising in the office.

Yes

I believe the programme is the fastest, most effective way to become a fully qualified chartered accountant and have a stable, full-time job at a relatively young age (22-23). In current society this is the best thing we can ask for, particularly given we get paid placement as well as paid accommodation if you live outside of a 1hr radius of the office (including traffic).

I don't really have any advice, given I'm still utterly shocked I'm actually on this programme particularly so since it's been my aspiration since I was 13. However, I suppose confidence (real or fake) in your own knowledge is useful in the PwC interview process of the programme.