Audit Associate Review

Initially my job total was an associate in the accounting services department. This involved preparing small limited company, sole trader and partnership accounts for tax and filing purposes. I would often need to work from receipts and bank statements and work through to a full set of financial statements. As the accounting services department was very small, I often only had interactions internally with my manager, who also was in charge of most of the external clients interactions. After around 2 years of working in accounting services, I decided it was time to move on to the audit department. After discussions with managers in my current team and the audit team, a transfer was arranged. My job title is now an audit associate. My daily tasks include being part of the audit team, visiting clients and usually being given certain sections of the audit to complete. Both internal and external interactions have dramatically increased since the transfer, by working with many different people in different teams and having the responsibility of dealing with clients directly on a day to day basis.

I have completed level 3 and level 4 of the AAT qualification and have currently just began my ACCA qualification, completing two exams to date. Grant Thornton also provide internal training sessions on a monthly basis in audit and courses at Bradenham. Since joining Grant Thornton, I feel that I have become more confident in speaking to people that I do not know and my attitude towards work has changed dramatically. I am currently very much enjoying my job and look forward to what the future brings at Grant Thornton.

Since the move into the audit department, I get to work with many more people and different companies which I find very interesting. I feel as though I get along with everyone at Grant Thornton and that the culture, especially at the moment, is an exciting and happy place to work. The apprenticeship is much more enjoyable that I expected it to be when joining. In my opinion, the people you work with are the most important thing about your job, and the people here are brilliant to work with.

I feel as though I am valued by Grant Thornton, especially since moving to audit, with my line manager pushing for my promotions and I feel as though colleagues have my best interests. Giving and receiving feedback is important within the department, with hard and good work definitely being recognised.

We are given days off to go to college and if we have to attend college on the weekend, we are given a day off in lieu. The department are very flexible and understand when they can tell that you need to leave on time for study or exam prep. When starting at Grant Thornton you are given a "buddy", someone of a slightly higher level that you can talk to, and a line manager. Having a buddy was useful at the start of the programme, but as you become settled in your role, the culture feels so open and friendly that it begins to feel comfortable speaking to anyone at any level. I feel as though if there is something that I am interested in doing, if I ask the right people I can arrange for me to be involved in it.

When studying at Kaplan the tutors always provide their email addresses and say that if you have any questions you should feel free to send them in an email. I have also attended college on a weekend when I haven't been booked into a class and used a spare room for revision.

I feel fully supported in my job role and have the right people mentoring me in the best interests of my progression.

The salary when studying AAT was quite difficult to cover my living costs as I think you are expected to live at home and not have to buy your own food or pay for rent. Since starting ACCA, the salary has improved but is still below the same, or even lower level graduates salary.

There are always company network events taking place to meet current or potential clients, or just internal networking. We are given a day a year off for volunteering, which the company are very supporting of. There is also the opportunity to take part in the London Marathon, which I did in April last year.

Yes

I am really enjoying my role in Grant Thornton and look forward to progressing higher within the company in the future, and I feel as though other people do as well. I have already recommended Grant Thornton to a friend who is now employed within the audit department in our office.

I think its important to be confident in speaking to and meeting new people. As any professional job, it can on occasion get very busy so it is important to be organised, relaxed and have a positive outlook.