Trainee Associate Review

I am a trainee associate in assurance. Daily i perform testing on figures to decide if they are accurate. I am specifically pensions so i work with a small team in sheffield as well as others in different places in the UK. i speak with clients to get information. I am responsible for the work i do on a daily basis. I sometimes work in core audit which is more industry based and client facing.

I am working towards a professional qualification with ACA which PwC pay for over the next 4 years then i will be a qualified accountant. There are internal training courses going on constantly which could be attended. We sometimes can get sent to London to train and learn more about audit and enhance our leadership skills. Personally my social skills have improved a lot

I love my job. The work is challenging and changes every day. My pensions team is very helpful and welcoming. On core jobs, the teams are usually fine too. The company culture in Sheffield is brilliant as everyone is very caring and it makes me feel comfortable. It met my expectations very well as i was worried it would be stricter but it is very relaxed and a productive working environment.

If working for a manager for a while i do feel appreciated as i am thanked for the work i do and given constructive feedback on how i can improve. Internally we are recognised and can be nominated for a recognition award to be thanked for particularly hard work that we have done. Externally we can receive awards for getting the highest grades in our exams in the region and the country. I feel very involved in tasks and projects often finding myself doing challenging work above my grade which gives a different perspective of the job and an insight of what is expected of me.

My induction was in London so was very well organised and booked for me. The daily structure was intense but ive found the activities there very helpful since ive started, especially enhancing social skills. College has tight schedules and deadlines so is very well structured due to the fast pace to be the most efficient it can be. The support system is good with buddies, people managers as well as support from college and peer groups.

At college we get a lot of support from the tutors who are available to call and email most of the time. There is also an option to speak to any of the tutors for support when studying who are available for most days of the week and all hours. If there are any problems with exams, people managers can help make work more manageable to focus on exams as they are a priority and are taken very seriously. The attitude towards support is brilliant at college and in the office as everyone knows how stressful the exams can be.

There is support on every job with senior members and managers taking the time to coach through new and difficult tasks as well as support with talking to clients. The HR team are quick at responding to any queries and helping where they can. They have a lot of external contacts. There is support available from anyone in the office as well as professional support through work contacts. My peer group are very helpful towards each other and my buddy is around whenever i need her.

My salary meets my living costs well. We get subsidised parking close to the office to manage travel costs. Any travel to clients is reimbursed as well as hotel and food expenses if we have to stay over anywhere. PwC have annual office budgets for social events and pay for annual dinners, christmas party, office day out etc. We contribute to socials so we can have more.

We have many socials out of work and have the opportunity to socialise with colleagues. We have a lot of charity opportunities to help raise money through runs etc as well as go to the charity to help out. There are events on all the time such as fitness clubs etc. We also get a discounted gym membership. There is a community for accountants which also hold events such as annual dinners and new joiners events which are good to go to to make contacts and have fun.

Yes

Its just a really good and supporting company with friendly staff. There are so many opportunities in and out of work and at the end you get a professional qualification which is priceless. Its a really good company for career progression and see different industries. Talking to clients will improve valuable skills and in general social skills are enhanced as you constantly meet and work with different people.

Be yourself. Take it seriously. The application process is difficult with the tests so have a quite space to concentrate and achieve your best. Be prepared to travel to the assessment days. They are good fun and quite relaxed so dont be too nervous or worried about your business knowledge, just deal with the tasks as they come. Apply early for the placements as its a good taster to see what the job is like and meet some people. The interviews are important to get to know what you are like more than anything so just be relaxed and yourself but put forward your best qualities because they are important.