Associate Review

I am based in the assurance service line. I am specifically based within the Mining, Utilities, Oil and Gas sector. Day to day, my role is varied. An Audit has many different stages and depending on which stages of the audit the client that I am booked to is at, I can be doing many different jobs. In planning stages I am involved with developing understanding of the entity. For example, I complete walkthroughs of some of the clients accounting processes for example; the accounting entries and relevant approvals whilst making a purchase of a non-current asset. In the execution and testing stage of an audit, I have been involved with the testing and analysis of various accounts such as cash, trade receivables, equity, trade payables and many more. I have been fortunate to have a lot of client exposure. This is common for many school leavers in the audit department.

I have faces a lot of client interaction which has developed my people skills. Sometimes I have been faced with difficult situations which clients which has built up my resilience as a person. Audit requires a great level of attention to detail and this is definitely something I have built up.

I very much enjoy the programme. The work varies, sometimes the work I find myself doing is very mundane, repetitive and not very challenging. Sometimes the work I find myself doing is judgemental, holds high responsibility and provides great room for personal development. These types of work balance themselves out. In all, it is the people that make my work so enjoyable. We have a great school leaver cohort in the London office who I socialise many times a week. Even at times when we are based at client sites all around London, we tend to convene at a pub convenient for both of us. I have made great friends since starting in September.

It's difficult to say at these stages. I have not had too much interaction with senior members of the firm, but lower down the scale and with the people I have met so far, I feel my work is important and I feel valued.

Very clear plan for the 5 years. Exams and tuition is organised well. Induction was a great opportunity to meet new and existing members of the EY firm.

Support is brilliant. College teachers are always on hand to provide assistance by phone or email. EY ICAEW team are very switched on and have experience in the sector. On one occasion I was struggling with a topic in the accountancy syllabus. I contacted EY and they arranged a one to one session with a tutor which was massively helpful.

As of yet, I have had no issues whatsoever so this is not something I can comment on.

The pay gap between graduates and school leavers is, in my opinion, too high. It's clear when we both join at entry levels that there is little to no difference between competency. I have moved to London for the job and I don't believe the income fairly accommodates for people not able to live at home with their parents. Rent in London is expensive and I do find myself sacrificing on some things due to the proportion of my income that the rent takes up.

There are some sports and other societies. I can't speak for these though as I haven't got involved. This is something I am looking to change going forward.

Yes

It's a great opportunity for those not wanting to go to school leavers. As I said earlier, I have not noticed a difference in competency between graduates and school leavers. The only noticeable difference is the debt and the drinking which they accumulated throughout university. Social life was something I really value and for me it was a risk joining a pioneering scheme such as this. But in London there are around 30-40 school leavers being taken on in London and the group are very sociable and it's almost a mini-university. Great kick start to life in my opinion.

Stay calm, in interviews try to be yourself rather than the person you think they want you to be. Group exercise - get your point made but don't dominate the activity. Stay calm in the times exercises in the assessment centre.