Audit Assistant Review

I am an Audit Assistant working at RSM. I don't spend a lot of time in the office, I am out a lot at clients carrying out planning and fieldwork in order to check the accuracy of their books for the financial year. When in the office I usually help managers with any documents that I am qualified to complete, this helps them to complete their jobs before the deadlines. I am always out at a client with a supervisor, who is there to support me and review my work.

I have learnt many skills from starting my new jobs. I have gained many IT skills which i had been completely unfamiliar with in regards to excel and word. In addition to this i am currently in the process of doing my AAT qualification. This is allowing me to learn the basics of accountancy and giving me the framework to complete my job to the hughest of standards that i can. I have also been down to London with my firm. Whjere i have carried out interaction activities, both accountancy and non-accountancy related. This has been with other new starters to the company so it allowed me to network with people i would be working with in the future. The greatest skill i have developed is my communication. I am regularly on the phone and talking to clients as well as talking to my managers and peer workers. This has made me a lot more confident in speaking to other people.

I enjoy the fact that i am still learning key skill and knowledge but in a working environment. I was ready to leave full time education after finishing my A levels and now i feel more mature and grown up in a working environment. I also enjoy it because it is allowing me to work in a team alongside some amazing people who i thoroughly enjoy learning off on a day to day basis. In addition it has been so much better than i expected, the environment is so friendly and everyone is so easy to talk to. I feel comfortable in the programme and I'm happy I chose it over going to university.

I feel like a very valued member of the team at RSM. I am always asked if im okay and comfortable with what im doing, and there is always someone there to help you volunteraly if you are confused about anything. I get praise of supervisors and managers on a regular basis when they review my work and it gives me confidence as well as reassurance that im am learning and becoming a lot better at my job role. I also feel valued in a sense from the friendships ive made, everyone is so supportive and you neveer feel uncomfortable in the environment, it make you feel like you belong in the firm which in turn brings value to you as an individual.

I believe that my programme is fairly well organised. I am regularly placed on training sessions and college days for my AAT qualification, this is booked out well in advance so that people know im not in the office or available on that day. In addition to this whenever i am on a job or in the office there is nearly always someone to help or support me as i am not as well knowledged or familiar with the job compared to those that have worked there a long time. The only downside is that in busy periods/ seasons, a lot of poeple dont have time to help other poeple with there work, this is where id say that maybe i dont work as effectively. It may take me longer to find help or i may feel under pressure to do the work by myself and not dirupt anyone. However this is a rare ocassion and everyone is more than happy to help. I also get a meeting with t=my manager every 3 months where he asks how im doing and gets feedback from people i have been working with. If im struggling with anything he is then more than happy to see if anyone can help or if there is a training session available to help boost my skills in that area.

I recieve a lot of training from my provider who is BPP, I have an online webinar course for my AAT qualification whereby i take day release from work on a weekly basis to watch them and study for my exams. They provide us with a working book, as well as past exam papers to help us study. There is also an email that you can contact at anytime with questions or if youre struggling and they will get back to you as soon as possible. All webinars are also recorded so if you want to go over a particular topic again then you can at a time that is convinient to you. If i am struggling with my training, i have a buddy who has gone through the exact same process just a year before me. She is always tere to give adbice or help me in any areas that im struggling.

I recieve a lot of support from my employer. My manager always asks about how im doing with my study and work. Whether it be in a meeting or even just over an email every now and again. My buddy is also there 24/7 and always checks up on my revision and how prepared i feel for my exams, she helps with with my revision as she has notes on them and has previously sat the exams. Like i have previously said the whole workforce is so friendly and everyone takes time to ask how your study/work/exams are going. It gives you a form of lift and confidence and makes you feel very welcome in you job role.

I currently still live with my parents, however I pay for my car and travel costs. My salary covers this completely as I have enough to pay for the train if I'm going to the office and also pay for my petrol if I am going to a client. I am very lucky to be on such a wage for an 18 year old. As I live out of the way from the office, my salary has definitely been set at a value with this in mind, as it easily covers all my travel costs with no worry. I have limited living costs however I pay a 'board' to live in my house, this is also easily covered under my wage.

There are many social events wcich happen all the time with the firm. We have regular meet ups with people in the department where we may go out as a stress relief and have a good time. As well as this we have christmas parties as well and end of year parties/ gatherings, where everyone has a chance to meet and talk to everyone in the office. This is a chance to network with poeple that arent in your department. A gym has also just opened right next to the office, this is a place where a lot of us may go after or between work whereby you can focus on something other than your current workload.

Yes

It is a very friendly environment whereby i feel confortable approaching anyone on the team for advice or help on a certain matter or piece of work. In addition to this it is a place to build great knowledge. The individuals here that i work with are very knowledgeable in the world of accountancy and have helped me learn a great deal about it, improving my job role.

The application process is a bit long but if youre determined and put your mind to it, it is definitely worth it. It consists of online maths and english tests that are under a time limit. They arent insanely hard however some of the questions do take thinking so make sure youre in a quiet environment. The interviews are not as bad as poeple think. The parnters and other interviewers are rally friendly and just want to know about you as a person, you just have to be yourself. I would llike to have been told that it isnt as scary as you think, being 18 going into the working world sounds scary in itself, but everyone is so friendly and just wants the best fir you, just be yourself and if youre right for the job, you'll find yourself succeeding