Audit associate Review

My role is an associate at EY. This includes working in excel, speaking with clients and discussing issues and solutions with your team. you will regularly travel to the client and spend time with them to understand the business. as you progress you will be given more challenging tasks and handed more responsibility.

Much of the job includes an ability to communicate with the client. this is an interesting skill to develop as you are keen to be polite and friendly, whilst being under time constraints to obtain documents and other information from them. It has also developed my time management, and ability to perform under pressure.

The programme is enjoyable as there are multiple other people like you, who have also gone onto the programme. this means you are all in the same boat and can help each other, whilst also not missing out on the social life that university is so renowned for. It is also enjoyable to find out about the various businesses you are working on, and the kinds of things they do.

The programme is well structured and there is a clear and defined path of what needs to be done. whilst there is a freedom within the job, there is also support and guidance from the managers as to how to better your experience and stay on course with the exams.

They are keen to help and the support comes from both peers, managers and EY. They all make it clear that they are there to help and you don't feel afraid to ask for support.whilst there is an expectation of you, they also understand that this is new to you and you may have issues.

The training provider keeps us well up to date. they inform us of our exam dates and study periods, any changes to the courses, and provide good material for revision. they are also on hand at any time, and make it easy to get in contact with them if we need.

As the course progresses I am able to apply more and more of it to my day to day role. Certain questions I have previously asked again and again at work, I now understand and can answer myself. It also helps to put a why to a what I am doing in the day to day.

We are often sent emails from the office, peers, or the EY head office with activities or things to take part in. The key is that you take the opportunities as they are what you make of them. there are often inter office sports events, socials and other organised activities.

Yes

When I first applied I was hesitant as to whether it was the right choice, however it has become clear that it was. I have managed to progress as a person and a lot of it has been due to the support of the firm. There is always someone on hand to help you with whatever issues you may have.

My advice for those applying is that you need to be prepared, and willing to engage in the process. the programme is 5 years and gives great opportunities for later in life, and will help you greatly, and so you need to make sure that you give a good impression from the go.