Audit Associate Review

I am at present an associate (trainee) based in the Commercial Audit (private-sector) department. My day-to-day role includes assisting on a variety of clients in different industries in performing their statutory financial audit each year. Typically, I will be part of a team of 3-6 people depending on the size of the engagement. At present, I am now performing testing on higher risk areas including revenues, valuations of stock and general management override of control risks. I am also engaged in interacting with different schools, maintaining the relationship between the firm and the school/college as part of our recruitment and support initiatives. I have also part-taken in business development activities to research and target potential clients that we could service in the coming future.

I am currently training on the school-leaver programme in which I joined the firm straight after completing my A-levels. I am at present studying towards my final level of AAT (level 4) after already completing my AAT level 3 last year. After this year, I look forward to beginning my study toward the ACA programme and becoming a chartered accountant with the ICAEW. Both qualifications are funded by the firm entirely. Some profession and technical skills I have developed include: Financial analysis, auditing, financial reporting, variance analysis, audit of internal controls and competence on Microsoft Excel. Personal skills I have also gained include: Team working, leadership, professional communications, relationship building and coaching.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme given the wide variety of opportunities and experiences I have been exposed to from day one. Additionally, it is not simply a case of being thrown in the deep end from day one and seeing how well you survive, the support is 100% there to ensure both you and the firm are getting the best out of work available. The firm culture is open, ambitious and collaborative. This programme exceeded my expectations of what I would experience and I have found it one of the best decisions I have made in choosing a school leaver programme over university.

There are many internal recognition initiative including a reward system for demonstrating the 'CLEARR' values of the firm. This includes, collaboration, leadership, agility, responsibility and resilience. Points can be awarded to individuals by their colleagues and redeemed to spend on a variety of goods and experiences - like an online John Lewis!

The AAT programme aligns itself very well for those candidates who have not studied Accounting before. There is a clear distinction between your study progression and your firm progression. The firm also allows the taking of study leave (toil) which other Accounting firms do not offer.

The support at 'Kaplan' where I study is excellent. The tutors have either come from practise and/or have an extensive level of experience in teaching their select subjects. Nearly all tutors also are qualified under the given qualification they are teaching.

Each employee is allocated a 'people manager' upon joining the firm. People managers are incredibly supportive with any issues you generally come across or any questions which arise during your time with the firm.

Very well, although I am at present living at home still and as such my salary is barely touched each month! Regardless of this, the salary is still very competitive for a school leaver programme.

There are indeed a variety of clubs and societies that individuals can join. These vary from sports teams (football, cricket, netball) to the general social club which puts on work socials such as nights out which are nearly always fully-funded.

Yes

Grant Thornton is a professional services firm. However, unlike the larger giants of our field, it is able to offer a steep growth in ones development before they qualify together with the opportunities to work on larger clients like that of the Big 4. Additionally, you are encouraged to contribute to the department and ultimately be recognised as an individual rather just a number within the firm.

To get some real insight and valuable advice before starting and during your application, take a read of our trainee blog sight traineeblog.grant-thornton.co.uk. This is written by our trainees for potential trainees. Again, this is a dedicated sight for potential recruits which no other large Accountancy firm offers.