Trainee Associate Review

As a first year you are considered to be a trainee associate, my days vary depending on the client and the stage of the audit. I interact on a daily basis with the team I am working with on the client, this involves communicating with my seniors to discuss my tasks for the day and any queries I may have. I also get the opportunity to talk to the client regarding my work. As a first year you are responsible for the more basic tasks (whilst we still only have a basic understanding).

Alongside gaining my qualifications, you must partake in online training and residential training regularly. I have learnt various skills like time management, how to better communicate my ideas and queries, how to be independent and manage my work load effectively. I have learnt so much and expanded my skill set massively in such a short time.

I thoroughly enjoy all the work i perform and the variety the type of work offers me. It is fun to work with new people on different clients as it gives you the opportunity to receive valuable coaching from many people. The company culture is very young and fun with regular socials after work to interact, socialise and wind down after work!

I feel extremely valued by EY. In the eight months i have been here i have received two recognition awards from two different managers where i received monetary vouchers to spend, it is a great motivator! I regularly receive feedback from my seniors which is helpful in guiding me to improve.

Upon joining the company you complete 2 days induction where you learn the basics i.e. about the business, what to expect and how to do basic tasks. After this you complete a week of training as the foundations for knowledge of audit work you will complete, taught by various EY staff members. You get released from the business to attend college to study for your exams. When you start you are assigned a counsellor and a buddy. A buddy helps you out with smaller things e.g. filling in time sheet. Your counsellor is someone who helps you with your career development.

When studying you receive lots of support from the college in regards to queries and any issues you may be facing. After leaving college you can contact the tutors and gain support online which is useful. The tutors i have had so far have all been enthusiastic and positive towards helping you out.

I receive huge amounts of support from my employer. My counsellor is amazing at keeping tabs on my progress and feedback and helping me out with any issues i may face. After facing some changes in my personal circumstance, i received mounds of support from my counsellor and manager and other senior members of the company which was a big help

I am still living at home so pay rent to my parents and find that my salary covers my living costs every month. I am fortunate enough that the company covers most of my travel costs. I don't live close to the office or many clients so i do spend longer travelling than most people.

There are plenty of opportunities outside of work, we have regular socials doing various things from crazy golf to bingo to pub quizzes so that everyone is included. There is opportunity to complete many events for charity like trekking accross the sahara or climbing mountains. Each year everyone gets 2 days where they can use them to do some form of helping the community!

Yes

It is an amazing opportunity to gain qualifications, earn money and get valuble work experience with one of the Big Four. I am extremely grateful for my opportunity and love working here. I have made some amazing friends and learnt so much, I think it is a great way to get into the working world.

Be yourself, be polite, be confident. Ask questions!! Show your enthusiasm from the minute you begin and you will reap the benefits!