Audit Associate Review

I work as an Audit Associate at Grant Thornton. My work involves going out to various clients on a weekly basis and completing testing on their financial statements. As well as carrying out the fieldwork I am also involved in writing reports to be reviewed by the Manager. I mostly work under what's known as an Audit 'In-charge' who reports to the manager and then partner. As I enter my third year here I am now taking the role of audit in charge. I deal personally with clients from Finance Directors to warehouse staff. I work as part of an internal trainee-run social media team, providing content to potential candidates looking to join Grant Thornton.

I have completed my AAT here with Grant Thornton and am now studying towards my ACCA. I attend many training events including Personal Skills (eg presentations giving, dealing with clients) to training courses on new accounting standards and audit methodology. My confidence has grown in leaps and bounds and my technical knowledge has improved vastly. The fact that I am now in charging jobs is a testament to the trust, responsibility and opportunity given to you at such an early age by Grant Thornton.

The team I work with are fantastic, and from a vast range of backgrounds meaning that the opportunity to learn is great. Grant Thornton encourage a culture of openness and honesty, meaning that I feel that I can approach not only my line manager but also the Partner with any worries I have. Working here has exceeded my expectations; I have made a fantastic set of new friends from across the country and learnt how to present myself well to important people.

My line manager has played a key part in my time here at Grant Thornton. He takes time to understand what I want from my time here, and takes steps to help me in my endeavours. He has been a real role model to work with. We have a fantastic recognition system here at Grant Thornton called CLEARR (Collaboration, Leadership, Excellence, Respect, Responsibility) which is used by all members of staff to award each other points (exchangeable for money) when they have demonstrated these values. The opportunities provided to me in the short time I've been here show that Grant Thornton values me well. I was given the opportunity to work with the Spilling the Beans team (a trainee run blog site) for which I have taken real ownership.

We have a well laid out induction process for people who begin in September and January. I would note that for those who join outside of these cohorts the induction process is not so well structured and supported. We are given ample time off for studying, and support is provided by managers and peers.

Kaplan provide our trainee and the tuition is exemplary. Tutors are accessible at any hour of the day. My only criticism is regarding the lateness with which college time tables are released.

As above, support from managers and peers is great.

For the location (Ipswich) I believe my salary is competitive and at the age of 20 I am looking to buy a house independently which is something I would not have been able to do had I gone to university.

There are many social events (not so many held in Ipswich as in the city). The socialising with in the team is good fun.

Yes

Excellent firm with excellent opportunities. Support given is fantastic and as an employee I feel truly valued.

Research, research, research. Visit the Grant Thornton Spilling the Beans website http://traineeblog.grant-thornton.co.uk/