Trainee Associate Review

Trainee Associate. I work in audit and perform various different tasks around the financial statements of different companies. The ultimate aim of my role is to reassure stakeholders of the company that the accounts filed at each year end show a true and fair view of the company's performance. I work with a wide range of different people and in lots of different locations. I have got to travel across the country and next year will be travelling around the world as part of my job. I have multiple client relationships and there is the option to tailor your clients to suit what you want to do. There is the opportunity to do anything you want and to go above and beyond your level if you are willing to put the effort in and the more senior staff will always help you with this.

I am studying towards the ACA qualification and attend college 3-4 weeks a year before sitting exams. I have already sat my first 2 exams and have gained a lot of relevant work experience. Just 5 months into my career I already know how all of our systems work and have learnt how to use Microsoft Sharepoint effectively. I have developed my knowledge and broadened my understanding of the functions of Microsoft Excel and have been coached by staff at all levels on how to approach my work and tasks set to me. I have learnt how to perform an audit on an internal training course which provided me with the relevant knowledge and skills required to approach the majority of day-to-day tasks. Any task I am unsure about I can always ask for the help and support I require and there is no expectation for you to know everything immediately.

I love the EY School Leaver Programme. The job is fantastic and there are lots of opportunities available to you. I feel that across the board all school leaver programmes are undervalued by teachers and parents alike however this has provided me with the opportunity to become a chartered accountant faster than if I went through university and to gain my professional qualification as a chartered accountant. The teams are always friendly and helpful and no matter what happens they can always be approached. The tasks you are set vary day by day however the technique is similar and they can be challenging and help to stretch and develop your skills.

I feel that EY appreciate the effort I put into my work and that I am rewarded accordingly. If you put in the hard work they provide you with more challenging work and help to develop your skills accordingly. I have been fortunate enough to become part of the recruitment team for school leavers as a schools ambassador adding breadth to my character and skills.

There is a very good structure in place whereby everyone joining will follow the same exam pattern and dependant on your service line the same training courses relevant to your job. The programme starts with a formal induction to the company followed by a week long training course, during which time you learn all of the skills required for your job and are introduced to the systems and processes followed by EY. There is also 2 weeks of college which everyone attends together and you get to learn all of the exam material before sitting your exams. There are 15 exams that you sit by the end of the course and you are a fully chartered accountant at the end of it. There is a mentoring process where you are allocated a counsellor and buddy from the start and they can all provide relevant support and advice no matter what the situation is.

The tutors are really firendly and helpful and are available at any time outside of teaching hours for any questions and additional support. The training provider offers additional tuition sessions for resit exams and helps you to pass in a reasonable number of attempts.

EY are really helpful in terms of support. They have 24hr helplines and a dedicated team for each programme who are available to help with any questions you have. They are very friendly and you can ask anyone for help with anything. They want the best from all of their staff and they feel that everyone is equal in terms of the support they should receive.

The salary is just the right amount. I am currently living at home so I am saving a lot however my colleagues who have moved into London can afford to cover their rent and travel and we all still have enough to have a good time and socialise together. The location of the offices is great as there are 17 offices across the country offering the programme so anyone can acess it anywhere.

There are lots of opportunities within EY whether they be joining the sports team, completing charity events or just completing different tasks. For example we have a large collaboration of most people on the programme taking part in the comic relief london mile and there are several of us who are now part of the recruitment team and are offering help and support to our old schools/colleges as well as attending careers fairs and other various different recruitment events.

Yes

EY are one of the largest professional services firms in the world and the level of support they provide us with is phenomenal. I had always wanted to become a chartered accountant and the EY School Leaver Programme provided me with an excellent fast-tracked opportunity to do this. After I joined everyone has always been really helpful and offered me support when I require it.

I would suggest that anyone applying to EY does their research about the company, what we do and the service line they are appplying to. Be honest with everything in your application and just be yourself. Remember to include all of your work experience as well as extra-curricular activites and when referring to team tasks make sure to stress what you personally did. The assessment centre may seem really formal if you are not used to interviews but it is a chance for us to get to know you so relax and once again be yourself. Never give up if you feel a particular task did not go well as it is about your overall performance and not just one area that you are being assessed on.