Associate - Reward Review

My job involves drafting technical advice, preparing partners and directors for meetings and studying for my professional qualification. I have regular interactions with other members of client teams and training sessions. At the moment, I have very little contact with clients but this will expand as I gain more experience on the job. I am responsible for doing work delegated to me and filing where necessary.

I am studying for my tax qualifications at the moment. We are tutored externally. We have regular internal training sessions when we join the firm (along with our new graduates) and attend off-site training sessions from time to time. I have learned how to act in an office environment, technical skills and the differences between academic and business writing styles.

I have worked on a variety of (I think to be) interesting projects with enthusiastic and helpful team members. It is a large company with a good culture of work/life balance.

I received a good rating at our recent performance review and there are various other ways that managers can show appreciation for the work that I do. I have received good feedback from client teams and generally feel that I am contributing to the firm.

We had a seperate induction to our graduates and then are pretty much joined the graduate training programme and study schedule. There are certain structures in place for school leavers but generally our take on procedures for graduates and new joiners are very good.

We have an external tutor and internal learning/exam managers who look after us. There is support available when needed.

My performance manager is very helpful and available when I need suppport. There are various other people including HR who are responsible for supporting us where necessary, although to this point it has not been necessary.

I have to live on the suburbs of London to be able to afford it but this is not uncommon for people of any background, not just school leavers. Travel costs are expensive in London but it comes with the territory. Overall I am able to meet my costs without living at home.

There are various company events outside of work. We have socials within our department every quarter, and community days twice a year. There are events/classes/sports/activities available if you wish to join them. We also socialise after work regularly also.

Yes

It is a great opportunity and alternative to university.

Be careful with your application and apply early to give yourself the most options/opportunity to get in. Be prepared for the interviews with examples of where you have shown that you would suit working here. You get get in contact with someone who already works here if you wish to discuss what it's like to work here - ask the onboarding team.