Audit Associate Review

My job role is audit associate and my daily tasks involve meting with clients and auditing their financial statements. This allows me to work with a variety of people from a diverse range of companies and sectors. I am part of a large audit department made up of about 100 staff and I get to work with the majority of them in small teams whilst completing audits. It's hard to say what I do on a day to day basis as there is so much to do, this is something I like most about the job as it allows me to learn new skills everyday. The majority of my time is spent out on site at clients head offices'.

I have completed my AAT qualification and I am now working towards ACCA. Work allows me time off in order to attend college and have study leave. Grant Thornton also offer internal courses to aid me with my audit work. We have a national training centre which all offices attend throughout the programme. I have 6 monthly appraisals, which allow me to assess how I am getting on in my role and looks at things I can do even better or areas of development. It also allows me to speak about any worries I have and looks at resolving queries. Some of the skills I have learnt include: client relations, organisation, team management, individual working, working as part of a team, training others, general audit work, reporting under IFRS and UKGAAP.

It is the best decision I made and I am so pleased I didn't go to university!

As I am now taking on more work in the more risk areas I feel more valued as managers often look to me to complete the work and I have to discuss issues I have found with them. I recently won a quarterly award which made me feel valued. The award was for the training I provided for the new intake of trainees.

Very. The first week we had an internal office induction and then a national induction which gave a great introduction to the firm. There was then a number training programmes which we all had to attend which gave us an insight into what the role was about and very early on I was getting client experience working on audits week in week out, no filling or admin jobs which was great! The firm offers days off in order for me to attend college and holiday is prioritised if it is for study. As there is a new intake every year it means there is a lot of people that have been in my position, so there is a lot of support if you need it. When I first got offered the position I was given a buddy and they spoke to me about what work life was like etc. And it was someone to ask when I did join if I had any questions. I also have a line manager which also acts as a mentor, I have my appraisals with him and I can have catch ups with him when needed, so the support from the firm has been excellent! Audits are usually formed of small teams, depending on the company size, structure, risk etc. The typical team involves a partner, manager, in charge and associates, however numbers can vary. My programme is very well organised and there is always someone to ask if I am unsure of anything.

I study at Kaplan which the firm has an agreement with. Everyone attends who is studying which makes it really useful for study nights! The tutors are really friendly and are always there if you need additional support. The give their details out on the first day so you can email or phone when with any questions. I always really enjoy college and the support from Grant Thornton is excellent.

A lot. As a lot of them have been in the situation before they know what it is like and they know that exams always become before work. Everyone is very supportive and will try to do everything they can to help out when its revision phase!

I feel the salary I am given reflects the work I do. We are offered TOIL for any overtime we do and all costs we incur on jobs are repaid as expenses. The firm also funds some of the social events that take place throughout the year.

There are some social events. We have a dedicated sports and social team who organise events for everyone to attend if they wish too. Most recently there was a trip to the theatre, we also had red envelopes for Chinese new year and in December we all got given a chocolate advent calendar. In the next couple of months we are having a spring ball, which will be a big event for the whole office. Every year there is also a national football tournament, which allows all the offices to come together for a weekend, play football and then have a nice night out. This is great from team morale and is something to look forward to in the summer! There are a number of clubs including badminton, squash, football which we are all invited to go to if we wish to. Another opportunity Grant Thornton offer is secondment to another office, or another firm. The internal secondment gives us the opportunity to work all around the UK and even abroad, we also have offices in America, Australia and various places around the world.

Yes

Because they are an excellent firm to work for and offer a vast range of opportunities whilst on the school leaver programme and afterwards too!

Be honest with your application but show them why you would be good for the position! Try to get some kind of work experience beforehand in finance as this will make you stand out in the application process. And in the interview, be confident, as part of being an auditor a big part of the job is to speak to people you've never met before, so if you cant do that in the interview it will make it hard when out on site!