Audit Trainee Review

I am an audit trainee at BDO and am involved in the audits of corporate client's annual financial statements. This involves gathering audit evidence based on a set of assertions on each financial statement area. My role is very client-facing which is the source of a great degree of responsibility as you are constantly representing the company.

Generally I feel very valued by BDO as I receive regular feedback and am trusted to speak with clients during meetings with directors or when on site. The feedback can sometimes need chasing up but when it is received, it is very comprehensive. Since I started, I have always been involved in all aspects of the audit process.

I am very happy with the programme as I am given responsibility over large sections of the audit and am allowed to develop professionally at my own pace. I never feel as though someone is breathing down my neck and the support network is fantastic. I get on well with everyone in the firm bar none and overall I would say that the experience exceeds my expectations.

Generally I feel very valued by BDO as I receive regular feedback and am trusted to speak with clients during meetings with directors or when on site. The feedback can sometimes need chasing up but when it is received, it is very comprehensive. Since I started, I have always been involved in all aspects of the audit process.

As the training program is required to fit in with other working commitments, the teaching can be quite broken up at times. However, the mentoring systems we have in place with regular meetings with line managers scheduled, are invaluable for career progression. The managers are very flexible however when you are studying and encourage you not to work over time in order to focus on the exams.

The training provider, BPP, provide extensive online tools as well as all the course notes and books required to learn the content for each exam. For the exams which we study for on our own, we have a point of contact at BPP at whom we can direct any questions we come across.

BDO provide plenty of support in the form of counselling managers as well as the internal professional qualifications department. Any qualms with respect to your studies can be discussed with them. They also pay for all your classes and travel to college if that is applicable. Despite this, training is of course required to fit in around other working commitments

Being a graduate trainee, I think that my salary is fair. My main outgoings are travel expenses, rent and food and my salary seems to cover these fairly well. In addition to this, I am able to put away a small amount into a savings account which I will need for car repairs etc.

There are social activities organised by a local social committee and the company has a comprehensive benefits scheme called Flexcel where you an essentially choose your benefits according to your lifestyle (eg subsidised cinema cards) etc. Generally the atmosphere at BDO offices is positive and employees are keen to socialise.

Yes

I would definitely recommend BDO to a friend as they provide a working environment where you are supported and are given the opportunity to develop professionally. The working atmosphere is generally very relaxed as long as you ensure you stay on top of your work. Managers are generally very flexible as well

Make sure that you know a little bit about the background of the company and the work that it does. Have answers to set questions prepared as well as some more generic comments which you can tailor to suit a variety of questions. Other than that, try to make eye contact and dress reasonably smartly and be yourself.