Auditor Review

My role is as an Assurance School Leaver. This audit role compromises completing high-quality audits and speaking to clients about business-critical information or processes. Work completed can by anything from walking through a process or transaction, to reviewing movements of balances in the year. We work in team and have a lot of interaction within these teams, as those qualified support our learning on a day to day basis. Client conversations start from day one and we are able to take charge of our own work.

During the programme, all school leavers will become chartered accountants. We have study leave where we attend college as we work towards passing our exams. Each year there is a weeks residential training as well as the opportunity to complete online training regularly. Skills that we have developed include; intellectual rigour, analytical know-how and the ability to develop client relationships. We have also learnt a lot about the workings of big businesses and have the opportunity to work with internationally known clients to ensure that their financial statements are true and fair. Similarly, we have gained an understanding of the finance of a business and accounting systems.

I really enjoy the programme and have made a lot of good relationships with other EY staff, with regular opportunities to network and the fact that we work in teams. The company culture is strong and is very inclusive of everyone. The programme so far is exceeding expectations, with many opportunities for growth.

I feel really valued by EY. They have a strong recruitment process, and from the induction to the training week, they really made us feel part of EY from day one. Teams value the work that you complete and you have a high level of involvement in completing the ground work for the audit and high exposure from day one. There are also opportunities for internal recognition, such as recognition awards.

It is a well organised programme, with structured training programmes. We have support in studying as we have college and study leave. Everyone has a buddy and a counsellor, who can provide guidance and give you exposure to those higher up the firm, who can share their experiences. In every team there are various levels of hierarchy, which facilitates the sharing of knowledge.

We have an online portal for our qualification provider, with the option to speak to tutors when needed. We have a team at EY who can communicate any problems with them.

We receive a lot of support from EY, with the buddy and counsellor system ensuring that you have support if needed. Everyone is happy to help you, right from the top downwards.

The salary meets my costs and takes in to account London prices. It covers my travel costs and is one of the best salaries for school leavers available.

There are many social activities such as EY Netball and other groups/classes that you can join. There are also many events put on throughout the year. You have the opportunity to take 'charity days'.

Yes

Its a really great programme and a highly respected employer. Progression in the firm is inevitable and you also gain a professional qualification.

Be prepared for the application process, and examples are key to the interviews. The application can take a while, but its worth taking your time with it. Get involved in anything you can, because you never know where networking could lead.