associate Review

I will often be working at the client site but sometimes from the office. I will sit with the clients to understand their accounting processes and document how they operate including who is responsible for what and how their controls work. In order to gain comfort over their accounts we complete testing over a sample from each account type. I am responsible for selecting the sample and obtaining the necessary support such as invoices and purchase orders so that I am able to agree the system information to the third party evidence. We look out for differences in dates, document numbers and values particularly when in foreign currency. If this is the case we will recalculate the value using our own exchange rate to confirm that the rate they have used is appropriate.

Since starting my apprenticeship my confidence has improved as I work with such a large range of people including colleagues and clients. My analytical skills have greatly improved and I have a developed a more questioning mindset which is crucial in order to ask the best questions resulting in the best and most detailed answers which are beneficial to our work.

I greatly enjoy my programme and the way it is structured. The support system in place is really helpful and I have the support of not only my year group but a councillor and buddy as well. Since starting I have been thrown into the deep end but already I am completing work that 6 months ago I would have had no idea where to start.

I think the programme is well structured, I think I would have benefitted from more college time before and in between my exams as I found there was a lot of content squished into a small amount of time and I would like to have more support from te college team.

EY are very supportive of our learning but I would like to receive more support in preparation for exams such as time off for revision. Juggling work alongside exams and revision is a struggle and I think allocated days off with no pressure to complete client work would be beneficial.

We have been put in touch with tutors who we can contact at anytime but due to my learning style I would rather be taught face to face and find it difficult to ask questions over email etc. I would like more time in college as I found that a week was not long enough and was fairly intense.

So far I have found that some but not all aspects of the training have applied to my day to day work however this may change as my tasks change. I have found that I understood the college work better after having put it into practice in my everyday work as I prefer to learn in a practical way.

Our office is very social and there are many events we are encouraged to get involved with. There are many nights out with colleagues but also organised events such as casino nights and wine tasting. We have a Christmas party and summer and spring event as well as sports clubs and fundraisers

Yes

I think It is a really great alternative to university. I am still learning and will achieve my qualification whilst getting paid and avoiding all the debt. I get the benefits of a qualification and a guaranteed job afterwards without having to sacrifice the social side of going to university.

Don't think that an apprenticeship is an easy alternative to going to university it is hard work but also really enjoyable and rewarding. Use online practice test to prepare for the psychometric test in the application, also do your research and be sure that this is the job for you, as it so intense you really have to want to do it.