Work experience student Review

I was a work experience student on a two-week programme and BDO LLP. I was in the auditing department and so all my tasks were related around this. I felt I was treated as one of the full time employees with many of them giving me work and some of it being challenging which I enjoy. I often had to check the figures and casting of the financial statements of businesses, some more complex than others.However I also had other tasks such as sorting files and general admin work, research potential bio-pharmacy businesses to audit in the future, producing excel spreadsheets. I think my most common task was reviewing the financial statements and checking the castings.

I have definitely developed my proficiency of Microsoft programmes such as Excel spreadsheet. I have developed my existing skill of communication due to always talking and contacting other people, especially when I needed someone to answer my queries about the work I had to do. As for new skills, I learnt how to use the APT database, which seemed very complex at first. I also came across Microsoft Lync, which is another programme that I hadn't came across before. I feel that by the end of the two weeks, I was able to use both of these programmes well and didn't need much guidance from others on how to use them.

I found it very enjoyable, I really appreciate that I was treated as a member of the team and I was given a variety of tasks to do by many different employees. I was given a challenging task towards the end which took a couple of days. However I am really grateful for being given the work as I enjoyed the challenging work and is very satisfying once it is completed. I think I enjoy challenging work more so than if i was constantly being given say work. We were also treated to lunch and really got on well with the other employees which I believe has shown me than BDO has a great work culture.

I felt valued by all the staff at BDO. Despite having to ask questions to employees and sometimes lots of questions, they all valued and appreciated the work I was doing and were happy to help at all times, even when they were busy. Once I had completed the tasks, the person (or superior) who set the task was very grateful I had completed it to the bets of my ability and thanked me for doing. Needless to say, going out for lunch a couple of times during the programme which was all paid for made us also feel valued by BDO.

I feel it was very well organised and structured. We had a detailed induction of health and safety and also an induction of the whole office, not only the audit departments but also the other departments at BDO LLP in Reading. I really appreciated that there was always work for me to do so I was never doing nothing whilst working there. I feel that always having work to do shows that the work experience must have been planned and structured well.

the "Buddies" were of great help for support and I asked them many questions throughout the two weeks. Although having buddies was a sufficient amount of support, there were many other employees who were willing to help in any aspect and answer all my questions. Although my personal training provider was away on an audit, I was still able to contact him if need be and the support from everyone else in the team meant I received great support.

Similar to above, all the employees from all levels of audit associates to my manager who I report tower all willing to help me at any time and so I always received great support if and when I needed it.

It was suffice for myself. However for those who had to travel further to the office, the salary may have been a problem as their own travel expenses and/or accommodation expenses may have used a lot of this. However personally, the salary covered all of my costs and was suffice.

There are definitely opportunities out of work. For example, BDO have arranged football tournaments along with other social events. If i was there longer, I would have taken these opportunities and got involved. They also raise money for charity through various ways such as dress down friday.

Yes

I had an excellent time there and it was very enjoyable, the support and team were amazing and faultless. I enjoyed it all and if I could do it again, I definitely would.

To get involved as possible and ask for as much work that you can get so you can get the best experience out of this great opportunity. I would also make sure they can present well and have good interview technique to make the interview process easier for them.