Flying Start Degree programme - Associate 2 Birmingham Review

My role as an associate is to perform audit work that is set to me by my senior associates. This involves testing of clients controls and testing the balances that are published in the financial statements. On a day to day basis this would involve selecting a testing method and then liaising with the client to receive the deliverables we require for testing and then performing the testing.

I have continued to grow my skills from previous placements being exposed to new and more technical areas, I have grown my knowledge of the client that I have been working on now for the past 2 placements. I have been exposed to new technologies that have been developed within the firm also this has helped improve efficiency.

As this placement was mainly during the busiest period of the year I worked a considerable amount of hours and on lots of occasions I was working late into the night, this can be sometimes draining however I understand that this is necessary for the work to be completed. I enjoyed being part of a large team with close friends. This made the experience enjoyable.

Considering the amount of people on the programme and the logistics involved the programme is extremely well organised usually without any hiccups. The training is always well timed before the placement starts and is usually well run. Within the firm we have a career coach that is there to help with any questions we have.

Throughout this placement I have received a lot of support from multiple managers, being part of a team that is in a different location. Managers have made an effort to visit my part of the team and also made sure that we get down often enough for social events and team meetings.

Working towards my qualifications our training provider (Newcastle University Business School) has been very helpful when we are at university, I haven't received much support whilst I have been on placement. I have therefore not been able to progress with much of my work however I have been too busy at work anyway.

Whilst at university we take some of the required professional exams whilst performing these we do learn very important skills which I have then implemented during my work and this has helped conduct the work to a higher level. We also do modules that are not required by professional bodies and these have also challenged us to think about the work in a broader sense which I have then used in my role.

On placement I had the opportunity to attend many social events including my office balls. We were also sorted into social groups when we start and this also presented the opportunity to attend social events such as christmas lunch. Within my team there was also social events and always drinks after work on a Friday.

Yes

PwC is a great company to work for with lots of social events and activities to get involved in. Also it provides great opportunities to challenge yourself and to experience many different things, such as secondments. PwC also have a decent salary structure which is rewarding and gives something to work towards.

During the application process I would advise give it your all and be yourself, I believe that PwC have high standards for the type of people they want to work at the firm, so make sure you do your research before you attend interviews and assessment days. It can be nerve racking but if you believe in yourself there is no reason you won't be given the opportunity to work at the firm.