Flying Start Review

Working in the Assurance line of service, you will work as part of different audit teams with all grades of PwC employees. You will perform tasks in many different areas and the magnitude and requirements can vary massively between clients. You are likely to interact with clients at the different jobs, where you will need to obtain various explanations and documents. You may have responsibility over a particular area of the file, meaning you can develop a strong understanding of this. You need to be flexible and willing to adapt to new experiences, environments, locations and teams.

By completing these 3 placements over the program, you gain technical knowledge and experience that is required to time qualify with ICAEW. You can also learn how some of the theory in your studies applies in the real life audit world. Depending on what jobs you work on, you are always learning a variety of new skills. Across all jobs, I think you improve your communication skills by always interacting with new people, time management by managing a range of tasks and team work by always working in different teams.

Overall, I enjoy this programme. Being able to enjoy university life, but then also go away to experience work at PwC gives great variety and experiences. The transition can be tough but I enjoy the variety of teams I work in and tasks I perform. Be prepared for the change from university life! Your experience will vary massively depending on the office you are based in so try to to generate too much of an expectation as everyone's experience is very different. I enjoy thinking of the career prospects this programme gives me and the clear route to becoming a chartered accountant.

Though you are very junior within PwC and an engagement team, you will work with some great colleagues. People will hopefully be helpful and knowledgeable and they will be willing to coach you through a task which you can then continue independently. With it being busy season there can be a lot of pressure for in-charges/managers however there should be time for them to coach you and then also recognise your work. You should be given responsibility over tasks showing that you are valued and trusted, but if you ever feel unsure there should be support. I have felt less valued in some jobs that others, and this can depend on the team members and the taska being completed.

The programme is very well structured, and you know the structure of it from the outset. Your base office is allocated before Christmas in first year, so you can begin looking forward to your placement and its location. You are able to study and enjoy university life and then focus on working when on your placement. There is lots of support at university throughout and also at PwC if required.

Newcastle University and the ICAEW are 2 great institutions who want to support you the best they can. When at university, there is a great community feel between you peers and with your lecturers. There is an abundance of support available, including CABA from the ICAEW, which is a support service there for life. I feel very confident in the support I receive from Newcastle University and feel the ICAEW would support me well if I required it.

You are assigned a people manager who should be your 'go to' when at PwC. This person can help with any queries or point you in the right direction to someone who can help. I have not needed any guidance with problems yet but if I did, I feel confident enough that there is support there.

When you are a Flying Start, your accommodation is provided and paid for, near to your base office. If you live at home, you are given an allowance. Any expenses to a client site can be claimed and are reimbursed and as a flying start you are sometimes able to billback the cost of a hotel, so that you don't have to pay and then expense this cost yourself. The salary is competitive and rewarding as this is a placement, and overtime is paid. I think this salary and expenses policy meets your requirements well.

There are social groups within offices, depending on the size of the office so you can always get involved in events that widen your network. There is a monthly social event which encourages all employees to attend and network. There are also local community initiatives to get involved in and to represent PwC. Due to working in busy season, you may not have much time to be involved in external opportunities at work, but there is always the option to do so.

Yes

PwC is a great company to be involved in if you want to work hard, gain experiences and progress. You can be rewarded well for your hard work. PwC is a great place to gain a wide range of experiences and begin in the audit world.

Be prepared of the expectation of you to be flexible (for you base office, location of client, expectation of hours worked and travel). Be prepared and knowledgeable on your assessment day to have the best chance of securing a place. Be willing to learn and always ask questions. Make the most of your experiences and try to keep a note of the jobs you work on and the work you do.