Trainee Associate Review

I am a Trainee Associate who prepares tax returns and other documents for private individuals. Also take part in client calls in order to tailor specific services we offer to the client. Day to day the role is mainly focused around tax compliance over consulting yet you get exposure to various tax consulting with clients but due to the level of knowledge you need it is only a glimpse of what it is.

Since joining it has developed my overall soft skills which sixth form doesn't do effectively. They provide high quality in house training which develops your technical knowledge dependant on the line of service you're in and which sub team you are then placed in. This allows you to fully refine your subject specific knowledge allowing you to perform your job to a higher level. Alongside this they enter you into a college with a training provider who has excellent results. This is to enable you to work towards your professional qualification. I have learnt technical skills such as the use of certain computer software in order to complete my day to job as well more complex skills in how to interpret certain data points and financial statements.

I enjoy my programme due to the diversity of work you get and the ranging cultures you have in one office. This allows you not only to increase your technical knowledge through varying work but also giving you a greater perception of varying peoples way of life and the greater global diversity. Due to it being a large firm you employed alongside multiple of other new higher apprentices meaning you in effect have a peer group in which you feel comfortable in and can build lasting friendships in. Having a peer group of such is one of the many reasons I enjoy my life at PwC as it gives new loiners straight away with similar life experiences as you which you can bond over.

I feel valued at PwC as from day one you are seen to be a member of the team by being introduced to the entire team from associates to partners. This gives you an important introduction to work life as you are seen as more than just a new joiner. You are involved in work straight away with other members of the team meaning you are given responsibility making you feel a more valued part of the team. My senior manager ensures we have monthly catch ups to discuss problems I may have and my progress which makes you feel like a valued part of the team as people are willing to take time out of their day to find out how you're doing and how you're settling into the firm.

The programme is highly structured with a clear introduction when you start defining the course you have enrolled on to and the various training sessions you will take part in throughout the year. You're supplied with study manuals and question banks to aid your learning the whole way through your professional qualification to ensure maximum learning can be achieved in order to fully develop your technical skills. As you advance in your college path you are introduced to harder more difficult tasks in the work place to further expand your knowledge and reinforce your current learning.

You are sent to college on random particular days (normally two at a time) in order to develop your overall knowledge of your line of service. They offer high quality teaching in a lecture format. They also supply various learning materials from workbooks to memory jogging books in note form to allow you to learn in different ways. The learning is fast and high concentration is required but all points are explained. If you have a problem understanding any topic then the lecturers are more than happy to help you and further explain further things.

You're allocated a support team when you join the firm which you can go to if you have any problem regarding personal life, training and overall work life balance. You're assigned a colleague a year ahead of you (in your team) in the firm so it's seen as an approachable person to go to if you have any trouble on any matter. It is a very supportive network as you are encouraged to build genuine relationships with everyone in your team, meaning at any time you have a whole range of people you can discuss issues with from associates to senior managers. As well as this you are allocated a talent coach for college so they specifically focus on your progress and if you are struggling with training at college they can aid you with any issues.

My salary meets my needs as it is a high enough wage to cover my commuting costs, still giving me a large enough wage to enjoy my free time. As well as this it is competitive against its competitors' wages in the London area. This means that it matches the cost of living in the area meaning that your social life doesn't suffer due to the location of work. You also receive benefits from the firm in your salary package which boosts the whole package significantly.

There are many socials within teams which allows you to get to know your team better in a more genuine way. This allows you to feel more comfortable with the team and ensures you get used to life at work. One day a year PwC also hosts a volunteering day called 'One day, one firm' where it helps the local community in trying to make areas of london ' greener'. The whole firm takes part in this to ensure its giving back to the environment and community. PwC also has its own app called balance, on which you can find various groups, clubs and committees which are run within the firm which you can get involved in. These range from sports clubs to learning a language.

Yes

I would recommend PwC because of the work life balance. The firm has a strong focus around building relationships with your team members by organising socials amongst teams so you can create a better relationship not just in work but in your spare time as well. I would also recommend due to the flexibility it allows with with the ability to work from home or adjust your working hours on occasion dependant on other commitments you may have to make on that particular day.

My main advice would to be yourself and express your personality. Throughout the whole application process be confident and sociable as not only are they traits assessors like to see in the workplace but also it will make you feel more comfortable and settle nerves. A key point is to do pre assessment reading so you have a good knowledge of what the firm does and it's core values as well as having a strong overall business acumen which will definitely aid you in both the assessment day and interview.