Audit Associate Flying Start 2 Review

My role is to perform audit testing on areas I am assigned on, which will be discussed with my in charge from the job. These areas are known as FSLIs (Financial statement line items) which are PPE, Cash, Operating Expenses, Cost of sales and etc. Day to Day role involves discussing with the client in order to understand their procedures to complete the testing.

I have learnt and improved my communication skills from working at PwC, by constantly interacting with the clients, and my colleagues to understand the client's business and the work I am assigned in the job and get it completed within the set deadline. I also managed to improve my knowledge on accounting and audit which I have learnt from university because of the practical experience I have gained from the placement.

So far I have enjoyed this programme very much. I am currently a third year Flying Start student at Reading University and have completed 2 placement period both 3 month each. I have gained a lot of exposure in accounting and audit from working at PwC and I was able to utilise what I have learnt at university.

The Flying start programme is very well organised and structured. The first year is full time studying at University, therefore gives you opportunity to gain the full university life experience, by having time to join clubs and societies. From 2nd year onwards in when the placement starts from 2nd of January to end of March or first week of April.

The support I have received from my employer is very good. During my placement at PwC, we will all be assigned with a People Manager who will be there to support us through out the placement if we have any difficulties during working. In each job we will also have an incharge someone more senior to guide us.

The support I receive from my training provider when working towards my qualification is very good. In each client job I will have an incharge who will supervise me and coach me on how to perform the work I am assigned at. Whenever I have a query or have difficulty in understanding my work my incharge will always be available to help me understand and improve my knowledge.

The coaching I received from my in charge at client job is very good. It helps me understand the how to perform the work I am assigned with and helps me understand the purpose of the testing I am performing, which helps me with my personal development. This also helps me perform similar work in future without any assistance.

Yes there are extra curricular activities to get involved in at my work. Every thursdays there is football sessions after work and every wednesday there is badminton sessions. This provides a good opportunity to meet and network with colleagues you have never work with before and also stay fit by exercising.

Yes

PwC is a great place to learn constantly, where its improving your knowledge in accounting and audit or understanding many different types of clients business in different industries. PwC is also one of the big 4 firms with KPMG, EY and Deloitte, therefore they have many different clients in different industries .

If you are applying for audit role, I would advise you to do some independent online research on what audit is, to gain an initial understanding of the role you are applying. I would also suggest you to go to their career events to network with the current employees at PwC.