Business Academy Intern Review

I was a business academy at the Birmingham tax department of EY, and completed many daily tasks, including processing tax computations, filing away documents into the correct categories, attending Skype meetings and virtual learning. Also, I have been to a client meeting. I had to interact every day with the people surrounding me, offering them help on work and also asking them for help using software or doing a project. Furthermore, I interacted with clients that were external, getting to meet the financial advisor for a large corporation and sit in and overview a meeting in their facilities. I have had responsibility for the private documents and information regarding the company and work I have done, additionally I have been required to manage my time and make sure I attend every meeting set on my calendar.

I have developed many new skills, at the start of the week I had little knowledge of what the company actually did in their day to day life as previously all I had seen was the information available on the internet and given to me at the Discover EY day. I haven't undergone any training courses as it has only been a week, however we have done some virtual learning which is in a way the same as training as it showed us how to write professionally and gave us advice on giving presentations for example. Also, I got to see some of the software they use to complete day to day tasks.

I thoroughly enjoyed the programme I was on, working in a team was a great experience and it has shown me how working together allows you to complete tasks to a better standard and faster. I enjoyed the tasks given to me to complete, and tried to perform them to the best of my ability. The company as a whole though has been a great place to work for and I feel the work ethic and the support they give to their employees is outstanding.

I feel extremely valued by EY, they gave us a welcome package as soon as we arrived including a hoodie and water bottle, along with a bag. Furthermore, they gave us a rucksack full of IT equipment rather than requiring our own. All of it had recently been purchased and never used before. In addition to this, they perform activities which I did not think I would be allowed to do, showing they trust me to perform it to a decent ability being a new joiner which I find very encouraging for further work placements with the firm.

The programme is very well structured, consisting of virtual learning meetings to enhance your development and knowledge, regular catch-ups with a councillor to find out how you are getting on and help you get settled in and introduced to everyone and the new working environment. The support system was great, I felt it could not be better. It is just a shame the IT systems had problems meaning I missed parts of the online meetings.

We had many virtual learning meetings offering us support, helping us through the week and guiding us through problems. It was easily accessible, being available by a simple phone call, email or even just talking to colleagues in office. I enjoyed the training we were given, going to a presentation on stamp duty enhanced my knowledge of what it actually is as before I knew little about the topic. This helped me throughout the week, and has helped my understanding on many topics which I did not have before.

The employer has a great support network, it has it's own IT department which was required to get us up and running on the first day as we had technical difficulties. Furthermore, any problems I had could easily be solved by contacting the relevant people, provided by the company, supporting my work and allowing me to complete the tasks successfully.

The salary package was good considering I did not think a work placement week would offer one. However if I were to go full time on the salary given it would not be a living wage. However, I am sure a full time employee is on a much greater wage and it would be more than enough for day to day living and travel costs.

There are many activities outside of work, that I have seen. Although I have not been able to go to any. For example, the company organises regular events and outings to enhance the relationship between employees and also allow them to relax to try and give them some time off and relieve stress, in turn this improves productivity and the amount of work done.

Yes

I find EY a great place to work at, the work ethic is outstanding, nobody is lazy and everybody is trying to complete tasks to the best of their ability. Without any error or doubt in the work they are doing. I have had an invaluable experience this week and would have worked for no salary as I believe being on this programme alone is more than enough pay for the time given this week.

Be prepared to fill out lots of documents throughout the application process, I was required to fill in many forms and also go through a telephone interview to receive my place. Furthermore, I had to fill out many security forms just to make sure I am legally allowed to work on the premises. Although time consuming, these are necessary.