Trainee/Intern Review

My role is to be a team member of financial statement audits during my placement in Bristol. I join a team of auditors and analyse client company draft financial statements testing different areas of them. We spend most of our time out a client site selecting samples of total balances to test, tracing invoices to agree amounts and gain comfort that the financial statements provide a true and fair view of the company.

I have learnt countless IT and excel skills throughout my time at PwC. I have embedded my accounting technical knowledge putting it into practice. This has been undoubtedly useful in helping me pass my university exams when I return after placement each year. I have developed my professional attitude and ability to interact with clients in a formal manner. I have further developed my teamwork skills working in a variety of audit teams from the office every other week.

I love working at PwC. My programme embeds University life with the ability to work and gain industry experience. I have made a large network of colleagues at work and this is great for my future career. It is hard to have to switch between university and work for a few months at a time each year however it is a good challenge and being paid whilst working makes it all a bit more worthwhile.

The Flying start programme is really well structured and organised. We know exactly where we'll be and when. We have a liaison person between PwC and my university which is great because if we have any queries or issues there's always someone to go to. The structure is always the same each year so its good to get in a routine. It is tricky to go back and forth to uni and work though.

We have a lot of support at work. We have admin days at the start of each placement to get us welcomed back to the office. We are given career coaches in the office who will help us with any areas we need, including both work issues and welfare issues.

We have very very limited communication from the ICAEW. They don't get involved in the programme at all really which is a bit of a shame. We get our training provided through accredited and approved university exams and therefore there's very little scope for the ICAEW to be involved.

By sitting accredited exams by the ICAEW we are able to fast track our route to chartered accountant status which is extremely beneficial to the workplace. Through studying around yearly placements we are always up to date with current industry technicalities and obtaining the qualification really compliments our placements well.

At PwC there are lots of socials to go to such as end of month drinks, office events such as yoga, bingo, pie night etc. I haven't found it that easy to get involved in any sports societies as I feel this is something to get involved in not at busy season (which is when we are on placement!!!).

Yes

PwC is a really inclusive firm and has provided me so many opportunities to get exposure to a wide variety of clients and industries. This has been really interesting and has allowed me to know what I like or don't like! The Bristol office is like a big family and everyone is very supportive and helpful.

- Be yourself in the interview and assessment centre - Do your research into the company - Learn some current affairs, be up to date with what's going on in business news - Be prepared for some late nights at work - Dress smartly (although the office now has a dress down policy!!) - The key is to work with others, so in the assessment centre think of everyone in your team