Associate Review

During the period of December - April we go to a PwC office with a small group of other degree members where we are integrated into the working office. Our job title is an FS1 Associate and on a daily basisi we will be working with colleges in a team to complete an audit. On the first placement we will be coached a lot by a Senior Associate and they will help us to complete our tasks. Considering we have little knowledge to start with, we have a lot of responsibility to complete the work we are given to a high standard. We will complete a lot of the basis Audit tests in order to allow the rest of the task to complete the much more complex tasks

I have gained a lot of professional Skills while working on the job, I feel much more confident when speaking to senior members of the team or clients. I have learnt how to work hard and not get distracted even when sat with my friends. During the course you'll gain 12/15 exemptions which help you become a chartered accountant. This is 4 more than any other University Degree.

The programme as beaten my expectations. It is the best of both worlds, we get the more social university life and we also have the 9-5 working life where i've been able to mature and pick up some key life skills. The Company Culture has been excellent as well, when in the office we can dress down and wear smart casual clothes, which makes for a much more enjoyable working day.

I feel well valued at Pwc. We are included in a lot of tasks and we are not neglected. Our collegues know that everyone on the course is a hard worker so they will push us hard and make sure we are involved with everything. Also the small things made me feel valued as everyone remembers your name and is very polite, rather than potentially ignoring you as on the first placement i was 4/5 years younger than everyone else.

The programme is very well organised. Even from the first interview the course has been well organised, you felt that it was very clear what is happening the the lecturers and other staff members were very clear and knew what was happening when. The structure to the programme is also excellent now as they have listened to the students opinion and have now moved certain learning modules to before the first placement in order to make your placement easier for you.

I have received a lot of support. I have a mentor at university who I have meetings with to check how I am doing and if I am enjoying being at Uni. The lecturers are also very supportive as if I was struggling with understanding some work they will happily sit down and go through it with me again. I have also received a lot of support on placement as I have a people manager in the office, who plays a similar role to my mentor at Uni

I have also received a lot of support on placement as I have a people manager in the office, who plays a similar role to my mentor at Uni. Even from people who are not supposed to be helping me everyone is very supportive and likes to ask how you're doing and if you are struggling with your work they are more than happy to help or show you who can help you with it.

The Salary is very well for University Student. It is approximately £5500 for the placement (£18,000 a year contract). It would be nice if the salary was to increase as you did more placements as you are given more responsibility. But overall the salary makes you feel like a very luxury student compared to everyone else who is studying.

There are lots of opportunities outside of work: there is a skiing trip, weekly football, a running club and there is even and international Rugby tournament against other PwC offices. At University there are hunderds of different societies that everyone is welcome to be a part off.

Yes

I would strongly recommend PwC to anyone who is wanting to become an Accountant as it gives you the most exemptions out of any uni course and you will become qualified quicker than most people. They also provide lots of support and opportunities to expand into different fields of work after you have left Uni.

My Advice would be confident in yourself, in the interview be honest and friendly ( not too friendly, I was told I was too casual) and show that you are hard working and determined. In the group assessment I strongly recommend you are confident in what you think and If you think someone else has the wrong answer then you should say so but in a polite yet firm manner.