Flying Start - Stage 3 - Leeds Office Review

My role across of my placement has involved working with my colleagues to help plan and target areas of the audit of a client. It involves lots of use of excel, speaking to clients surrounding areas of the audit and also documenting any evidence or documentation provided by the client.

I have become a lot more efficient in the use of excel, now being able to use shortcuts to help me. My business acumen and professionalism have also greatly been improved with me having greater understanding of some areas and being able to speak and communicate a lot greater.

I thoroughoughly have enjoyed my first 3 years of my programme as it allows me have the university experience through part of the year which is also partnered with real life experience in a prestigious firm in the 'Busy season' which has given me hands on experience. I couldn't recommend it enough.

My programme is very well organised with the teaching weeks starting in September until December, with each module leader having the content laid out in an structured manner which isn't overbearing and doesnt feel too much whilst also being able to cover all the content. Then in January we get to experience 3 months in one of the PwC offices to expand our knowledge in practice in the real world which doesnt feel daunting. After the end of our placement period, we return back to university where we continue to learn small bits of content before we have our exams in the summer.

PwC are great at offering support to us with lots of the employees being Flying Starts previously it is comforting to know they have been in your shoes before and they are always willing to help you and for you to ask questions .

Newcastle University have great module leaders and with there being a small cohort of student each year the support they have to offer is a lot more direct. They are always available through email or through the Discussion board to ask questions. In previous experience some modules have also been able to put additional sessions on to speak through problems on a one-to-one basis.

The qualification we have been working towards has helped me understand the fundamentals of accounting which is the baseline to audit which has meant that I have a much greater understanding to why certain things need doing .

PwC occasionally put on events in the office, from smaller events of having pancake day in the office to more extravagant events such as the chinese new year event. I havent been able to join any sporting teams of events but have heard from others that there are some in other units of PwC.

Yes

PwC is such a prestigious firm with it being in 'the big 4' and they are so great at helping your development and to give young people an oppurtunity to fast track their careers and get a great qualification.

From my experience PwC has been full of employees that are always bubbly, talkative and generally good people that are always willing to strive for greatness and put the team first .