Senior Review

My role involves overseeing a number of audits as the lead senior. This role involves dealing with client needs and expectations, dealing with timely deliverables and overseeing a team of associates in order to deliver the work necessary to meet the deadlines. The role also involves ensuring that I am reviewing the work of my associates.

I have learnt a number of new skills. Most of these have been to do with the qualification that I have undertaken as part of the job (i.e. my accounting qualification). However there are a number of business soft skills that have accompanied this that I now feel I have been equipped with that I did not possess prior to this job.

I really enjoy the programme I am because of the team and the culture at the company I am working at. The culture is extremely friendly and welcoming, the entire team is pleasant and warm, and this helps me to feel that I fit in and that I am able to by myself at work which is a really important aspect.

I often feel appreciated by EY surprisingly because of the levels of praise for hard work from my managers on the jobs I am working on. I feel that EY is a great place to value their colleagues as all work that I do to a high quality is often rewarded positively and widely acknowledged as a good piece of work.

There is a very good support structure in place on all of our engagements at work. There is a clear structure in terms of the hierarchy and this is always well communicated and known throughout every engagement that is being worked on. We ensure as a company that the more junior members of the team are always aware of the work that requires completing.

There are a lot of different training programmes at EY – one of which is the annual training we are required to attend for our professional CPD requirements, this often comes in the form of the off-site training which is held. We are also required to complete online training requirements that cover a wide range of topics.

We receive a large amount of support from our employer in a number of ways. One of which is that every employee is given a career counsellor that is responsible for helping them with any personal problems and allows them to speak up if they feel they are being mistreated or are not being given the right treatment on any of their jobs.

The salary/package we receive is quite good. The only downside to this is that we can get a lot more money if we move into industry instead, which is often a large reason why the qualified graduates end up moving into industry and leaving the firm. The pay is good but can often be less than other smaller firms outside the big 4.

There are a large number of opportunities outside of work, one of which is the use of the ‘networks’ at the company, this is an internal series of groups that are both managed and used by internal employees. These networks are often a great way to meet and connect with people in the same with similar interests to yourself.

Yes

I would recommend EY because I believe that it is truly a great combination of working hard and learning, along with a lot of opportunities to work with great people and gain a lot of friends in the process. I would consider that EY is definitely the more ‘human’ of the big 4 whilst maintaining the professional edge.

I would give the tip of always being prepared to those that are trying to apply for somewhere like EY. The assessment days and exams that are required to pass are fine enough if the participant has prepared and done their research on both the company and the role. I would say being unprepared would be the candidates biggest downfall.