Summer school programme - Audit assistant Review

During my two week summer school programme I worked on the audits of two different clients. This involved helping the rest of the team with tasks such as filling in equity and revenue workbooks, checking totals in accounts, creating workbooks for different tests, uploading documents onto the APT files, undertaking market research on potential clients for BDO, sorting and recording invoices and interacting with the client. The tasks I have been doing have been fairly basic, as I had no previous training and only two weeks to learn as much as possible about the role of an auditor!

I have developed my Microsoft Excel skills and improved my knowledge of accounting methods and systems used by BDO, including the APT files. I have also gained a much better understanding about what accountancy and audit involves.

Although the work I have been doing has been straightforward and not particularly challenging, I have still really enjoyed the programme as everyone I have worked with has been really friendly, helpful and fun. As I have never done anything similar to the programme before I was a little unsure what to expect, with regards to my day to day role. However, I found the two weeks really beneficial and the culture and people at BDO meant that they were also a really enjoyable two weeks.

Everyone at BDO has made me feel really valued and I felt welcomed and part of the team from day 1. From the manager to the intern on my audits everyone was encouraging and involved me with tasks where possible.

On the first day everyone on the summer school programme went down to the London office for an induction. This gave us the opportunity to meet everyone else, learn more about the company, its values, objectives etc. as well as welcoming us all to BDO. I really enjoyed the day and thought it was a really good way to prepare us for the next two weeks of work. I received all my training on the job and was supported by the rest of the audit team throughout. Overall, the only negative point was that occasionally people struggled to find tasks that were basic enough for me to do, considering I had no previous training, qualifications or experience, when they were at certain points on the audit.

Before and during the two weeks I have received plenty of support from everyone I have worked with. Everyone in the audit teams was always willing to answer my questions and explain tasks to me and there were also employees in the office I was based in who were available to help me with any other problems.

I received ample support throughout the programme from my managers on both audit teams and the HR team who regularly checked to see how I was getting on and to answer any questions I had. I felt there was a continuous support and guidance available if I needed it and the general attitude of everyone was really helpful and supportive.

As I only worked for two weeks, salary was not really an important factor. However, BDO covered all my travel costs which was really helpful.

I don't think I was working at BDO for long enough to fully appreciate the opportunities they offer outside work but from what I have picked up from other employees, there is plenty.

Yes

I have really enjoyed meeting everyone and getting to know people at BDO as they have all been really friendly, fun and easy to get on with. The people are what have made me want to work for BDO in the future and why I have enjoyed these two weeks. I felt welcome and valued from beginning to end and think that the culture and attitude of the people, driven by the company's strong values, make BDO a really unique and valuable place to work.

For people doing the summer school programme at BDO I would recommend asking as many questions as possible as this will not only enable you to learn the maximum amount about the company and the job but will also make you and your manager more confident that you are doing things right and help you interact with the rest of the team. This is especially important given the short time you are working for and how new and alien the job may be to you.