Associate Review

I am Flying Start 1. From Sept-Dec and April-June I am studying the theory behind accountancy at Newcastle University. Whilst on placement I am working in the audit team in Nottingham. My daily tasks on placement involve going to where the client is based and working on the end of year audit. This could be finding invoices for the purchases, checking that salaries are correct or just finding out who the client deals with. I will be talking to clients every day and interacting with my team. No day is the same.

Over the course of my entire placement I will become a fully qualified accountant with ICEAW. So far though, aside from the skills to audit which were completely alien to me, my excel skills have vastly improved!

Although the hours are a little different to university I thoroughly enjoy it. I feel very grown up and that I am on a path to a career. The company is really enjoyable to work with, they organise many socials and I feel like I am making friends every week. I definitely am enjoying it.

I do. We are encouraged to fill out feedback forms at the end of every client and the positive comments i've received have made me feel pretty proud. There is a strong support system implemented by PwC.

The entire programme is organised with almost military precision! I know exactly where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing. We are told well in advance what is to be expected of us.

I feel very supported by Newcastle University. I have had no need to contact them during my placement as I have encountered no problems but I would not feel abashed or worried about them judging me: they've invested time in me and I know they would want to make my experience enjoyable.

My manager's (who change with every job) have always been very supportive and patient. There is a good support system so I know who to ask for minor worries (who should i ask about holidays) or if something larger were to present itself (i'm really not enjoying myself) I know who I could ask for help

My salary of £1400 a month suits me very well as I do not have to pay for my accommodation. My daily costs are all reimbursed and so I save most of my paycheck (towards a deposit on my first flat when I graduate) or seeing friends on the weekend. On placement i do not worry about money.

As I am only on placement for 3 months during 'busy season' I have not taken part in many PwC external actives, although I see them advertised all the time. Outside of work I see my boyfriend and family, but i'm actually really enjoying time on my own - it's such a contrast to university life.

Yes

It's an excellent opportunity to gain enjoyable and valuable experience. I would recommend the flying start programme to anyone with an interest in finance.

On the interview days allow others to view you as someone they would want to work with - contribute towards tasks but try not to be overpowering. Any work experience you can do in the finance sector will help (when I was 16 I completed a week in HSBC and the accountancy section of the hotel I waitressed in, when I was 17 I spent a week in Grant Thorntons). Remember that although they are not looking for fully qualified accountants they want to see that you are comfortable with financial terms, simple things like knowing the difference between 'revenue' and 'profit'. I have really enjoyed myself so far and I am very excited about the next few years. Good luck!