Trainee Associate Review

I am a Trainee Associate in Assurance at EY. My daily tasks include assisting the execs and managers to perform audit work on accounts including cash, debtors, creditors, cost of sales and admin expenses. I interact with my fellow team members on a daily basis to understand what is required of me and to catch up on our progress. I also interact with clients to ask for any information that I need to complete my work efficiently and to a high standard.

I have been on two internal training courses as basic training at the start of my programme. I have also been to college to prepare for my first two exams which I have passed but I have not received any qualifications as yet. I have learnt new skills involved with the audit work, something that I had extremely little knowledge of before I started. I have managed to develop my people skills by interacting with different people in all different jobs of all different ages and ethnic backgrounds.

I enjoy the work and it has so far met my expectations. The long hours are one thing I have struggled with but the teams have been very supportive and I have made some good friends in the short space of time I have been here.

I feel appreciated the majority of the time but sometimes I feel like I could be more appreciated. However, on a general basis everyone seems to listen to my opinion and involve me in lots of tasks.

The programme has been very well structured from the start. It has been difficult to arrange meetings with counsellors because of our heavy schedules, but we have met as often as possible. Training and exams are always organised very far in advance so we are able to plan for and around them.

We receive a good level of support when we are in college but they are not as accessible outside college hours. Some tutors are more willing to help than others.

Support is easily accessible within EY and everyone I have come across has been willing to help.

The salary meets my costs very well. My commute is long so travel costs are my main source of outgoing but EY have a good season ticket loan set up for the train which has helped me out a lot.

Yes, there are always company events going on within EY, whether that is within your teams, departments, service lines or communities.

Yes

It's a great place to work and the staff are very friendly. It is also such a valuable experience and fantastic to put on your CV. They also employ people from all different backgrounds so everybody is given equal opportunities.

Don't worry about whether you are good enough, just apply and see what happens. I learnt a lot from the application process alone. Try not to be nervous and although you should try to impress in interviews and on assessment days, you should always be yourself.