Flying start degree programme-FS2 St Albans Review

An associate working on real clients and audits areas of low risk such as cash and share capital. communicating with the client and working as a team in order to meet reporting deadlines. Being able to interact with those more senior than you both within the firm and client and therefore building a network.

Developing excel skills as well as communication and forming relationships both with peers and seniors within the firm and with the client. Also developing business acumen and understanding how different companies operate as well as understanding how business trade within each other to form a financial industry. I've also been able to mature during the placement personally and build character being thrown into the working world as a contrast from the university bubble which helps me feel more ready for life after university

Placement can be hard at times especially when faced with deadlines and working long hours. However the people and the experiences gained from work make it all worth it. PwC also allow you to have flexible working which helps with being ale to manage a work life balance and therefore making placement much more enjoyable. People are understandable for any other commitments you have and therefore being able to continue doing extra activities I enjoy as well as work made placement much more fun. The company also offers sports and social events which was enjoyable as it meant you got to meet other colleagues that you may have not worked with before and made the office more relax as everyone knew everyone.

My programme is very well organised with both input from the firm and university constantly. When at university we get meeting with the company and are still able to have contact with them and then when on placement university will check in with us and make sure things are going well meaning the support network is very wide which helps when placement can get challenging or if there are any issues arising. university trains us to be well prepared for placement both technically and professionally and the company comes in a week before placement to provide additional training on softwares and systems which allows for a smooth transition when starting placement

We are all allocated a people manager who is always happy to deal with an querries of worries that may have with work and other colleagues. We have monthly meetings to ensure placement is going how I want it to go and I am gaining the most from my placement as possible. Within your audit teams everyone is very understanding and approachable and happy to provide additional training. From the beginning of an audit they will ask what areas you'd like to audit to develop your technical capabilities and teach you new areas which helped me further and progress

The training provider helped less than the company and also checked in once although I knew that they would answer and questions or worries I had if I was to ask them. They provider great support whilst as university but where needed less during placement because they are unable to deal with coaching or situations at work. However they where happy to help with any questions I may have has in relation to work and would have probably tried to answer questions.

They helped with technically understanding how audit works through lectures and teaching. However it was PwC that actually teaches you how to act professionally and how to use the actual software but the university was able to provide the acumen behind why we audit and how financial statements are prepared. The university provided us well with enough teaching in order to be able to audit the low risk areas independently.

PwC have sports and social events such as trips to musicals and plays as well as weekly sports clubs such as football. They also plan a yearly trip abroad which is great to get involved with however my placement finished before the trip started. They also have monthly end of month drinks where everyone is able to interact outside of work and socialise in a different setting that is not the office

Yes

Its a company that cares about you as an individual and will help and assist you as best as possible to reach your personal goals. The work environment can be stressful at times but everyone is always happy to provide coaching and help you develop as an individual both technically and personally. There is lots of support if you are struggling and overall my experience has been very good

Apply to the flying start course if you know you want to ACCA qualification as it is the quickest way to become qualified and you are still able to have the university experience. I'd say just apply to the company as it is part of the top 4 and having the name on you CV will help when applying to other jobs in the future.