Flying Start Degree Programme - FS1 Manchester Review

My role on a day-to-day basis involved completing audit work on the FSLI of pensions, which involved testing different areas of the pension scheme, EG: Contributions, benefits, Asset values and Assumptions on large clients who sometimes had multiple pension schemes both based in the UK and abroad. In addition I had to liaise with 3rd parties such as administrators, custodians and actuaries as well as the client themselves to acquire the relevant information to be able to complete my testing.

I have learnt a lot of new skills and developed a lot of my already existing skills, for example, time management as whilst I was on placement I had to manage multiple jobs that were going on simultaneously, this was difficult at first but definitely helped develop my time management as well as my project management skills.

I enjoy my programme a lot, i find the people on my course easy to get on with and i have found the people in the Manchester office while i have been on placement have been very friendly and welcoming and have always tried to help when i have had questions and queries related to my work.

My programme is very structured and organised. I know when i will be in university and when i will be on placement. In addition to this when i have been at university the timetable and everything surrounding the course has been well organised and structured. In addition to this I have found my placement to be very well organised, I have always known which clients I am on and when socials are etc.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, with regards completion of work, however i do receive a lot of support through networks established by the university and PwC for example, we have buddies, champions, career coaches and university contacts who all provide support on a variety of different issues if I have.

I receive support from both the ICAEW and Newcastle University throughout the time I am on placement and at University. This is to a very high standard and very professional which prepares and maintains the high standards expected by PwC whilst we are on placement. The support is always there if I needed it.

Whilst at university we receive lectures on both accounting and finance and auditing as well as other areas such as Business law, strategy and Tax. This gives a wide range of knowledge which helps to complete my role on placement. I am then examined on these topics by the ICAEW with exams in January and June/July which helps me work towards my professional qualification.

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities whilst at work, I have been involved in the 11 a side football at the weekend and the 5 a side football on a Tuesday and Wednesday nights. These are weekly and offer a different social environment than that of being in the office which helped with building my contacts in the company. there has also been plenty of socials with the teams I have been working with.

Yes

I would recommend PwC to a friend as the company is a very good company to work at, they provide a lot of training and support to become fully qualified as well as performing work and being paid to qualify. In addition the flexible working and good atmosphere around the office provides a good work life balance.

The tips and advice I would give to others applying to PwC would be to prepare to work hard as it is not easy, I would say also to enjoy yourself and just embrace everything and everyone in the company, get involved and try to learn as much as you can.