Flying Start Degree Programme- Year 2 Glasgow Review

I am an Assurance Associate at PwC Glasgow, and this would involve going to different client sites, and performing certain tests on their financial statements. It involves a lot of client interactions, so you get to know each client quite well, which is useful if you are on the job the following year. Normally, you would be assigned one area of the audit file, then it is your responsibility to perform the testing on that area, but everyone is more than happy to help you if you need it!

It's a fast paced environment so you learn new skills very quickly. For example, we use Excel for everything, so I have become quite good at using that program. You would also be on different teams for every job, therefore you meet new people all the time and your confidence increases.

I really enjoy this programme, as I feel that this is the fastest route possible to becoming a chartered accountant, whilst also not losing out on the university experience. It can be difficult at times, as you need to learn on your feet, but this will be invaluable when you start full time as you will have almost a year of experience working for the firm.

I feel valued, as I am given tasks to do that will help the audit progress, however as other colleagues are busy sometimes you feel that you are not contributing as much as other colleagues, however this is to be expected as you don't have as much experience as other colleagues.

It is very well structured, as you are given guidance a year before you even go on placement, and people come into lectures and talk to you about it as well. Also before we go out on placement, we are given a week of intensive training, so that when we are on placement we know what to expect. In university, you are also given a lot of guidance, as when you are a first year you are assigned a Peer Mentor, who would be a couple years above you, and knows exactly what the program is like, so they are very helpful when answering questions about the programme.

We do get a lot of support with emails throughout the placement, and we are able to contact them if we need any questions answered or if we are having trouble with the placement.

When your on a team on a job, everyone is more than happy to help you if you are having a problem. I sometimes feel that management is spread quite thin as often they would be a part of 4/5 different teams at once so sometimes it's difficult to devote the time necessary to a job. We have a people manager assigned to us, who monitors our placement and is there to help us out if we need anything.

It is good as we have recently started getting paid of overtime which helps a lot, especially if you are putting in extra hours, it's good to get recognition for those hours. I think it's a good salary for a placement, as we are also receiving our student loan as well.

There are many social events organised within the office such as office drinks, and there is even a ski trip! It's a good way to meet people in the office. There are sport teams, such as football or a running club.

Yes

It's a fast paced environment, which I think helps to learn quickly on the job, but there are also many people in the same position as you, who can provide you with help and support.

Be prepared to work hard, and be able to learn quickly on your feet, as you are often thrown in at the deep end in some situations, but it has helped me learn a lot faster and become more confident in the field of assurance.