Assistant Associate Review

Job Title: Assistant Associate Daily tasks: time and expectation management, high quality deliverables, improvement of tax technical and IT skills, organisation (emails, files, workload, priorities)

Over the 5 years I will become ACA and CTA qualified. I will have attended various internal and external technical and non-technical (e.g. presentation skills) training courses. You naturally develop interpersonal and IT skills from on the job training.

The work that I do is both challenging and rewarding, yet not overwhelming. There is always an opportunity to stretch yourself, but with the guidance and help of others. The teams that you work in are very supportive and helpful. The best thing is that you are constantly learning, so you never get bored. I enjoy the programme very much and would recommend any A-Level School Leaver to consider joining the scheme if they have an interest in the business.

You feel valued when you're given good feedback (which is as frequent as you ask for it to be), and you feel even more valued when you are rewarded with 'Limelights'.

The structure is very well organised. I know each of the modules that I will be studying for, and roughly when I will be taking the exams. The only improvement I would like to see, is set times for college and exams (so that it is easier to book holidays in advance). However, I appreciate that this is difficult to do.

The tutors are the best that I have ever met. I was offered to call/text my tutor any day of the week between the hours of 7am and 10pm for help will exams. They are extremely helpful, and willing to provide support to anybody that wants it.

Deloitte provide you with a 'buddy' (who is usually a grade or two above you) and a mentor to go to with any problems you have, whether they are work related or not. You have monthly meetings with your mentor to ensure that you are on track to meet your objectives and are not struggling in any particular areas. Your buddy is someone to turn to for more general questions - but you can approach anyone for this. There is also a HR team that you can contact should you wish to.

Despite living at home (and so receiving a discounted 'rent' price), I am able to cover the costs of rent, annual train fare, petrol, food and still have some leftover to save and spend the rest on going out or shopping. Deloitte offer a loan to help with any payment you need to make - I chose this to help pay for my annual train ticket up front when I left school (which cost over £2,500).

There are many opportunities outside of work. These involve: Christmas Party, Summer Ball, Monthly Partner Drinks, ICAEW student events, graduate recruitment events, community days and various sports clubs. Deloitte also do matched funding to any suitable fundraising activity you do.

Yes

I am proud to work for Deloitte - I am very happy here and I never regret not going to University. I have made several friends through the firm, all over the country. Moreover, Deloitte pay me enough so that I can afford to visit other friends at University, so I still get a taster of the Uni social life!

Look at the Deloitte website: they give lots of information about their application process which will show you what topics they will ask questions around. If you are unsure as to which area of Deloitte you want to go into, phone into an office and ask whether you can come in or talk to someone about the different service lines. For the interviews, always dress appropriately (business wear), and be knowledgeable of current news and key tax issues.