Trainee chartered accountant Review

I am a flying start (trainee) chartered accountant on placement in audit. I work on planning and completing audits on clients of PwC on the daily basis. Performing basic testing and interacting with the Clients each day. There is a range of different clients from financial services to CIPS. Each day involves different tasks and everyday is different.

Yes, I have learnt so many new skills. For example creating business relationships, having never worked in a corporate environment or even had a full time job before I have been coached and shown how to interact with my colleagues and client staff in a professional manner. I have learnt so many new technical capabilities in regards to using audit software and PwC systems which was all brand new to me.

I have loved placement ( even so much I could happily stay here rather than go back to university). Everyone in the office when I first arrived was so welcoming and helpful. Everyone knew who we were and knew what to expect of us. The company culture and atmosphere is very similar to what I thought it would be, very social and there is always something going on in the office.

The programme itself it very well organised I feel. Most colleagues know about it and offer help where possible. Training before starting placement was very helpful but very overwhelming at the same time. There was a lot to take in over that week and it is very difficult to remember it all over the Christmas break. But a positive was if I ever had an issue or problem I always knew a specific member of staff I could go to for support.

Support from my 'in charges' was very helpful and they are always available when on a job. My career coach we had regular meetings and I received regular feedback on how I could progress and improve over placement. The flying start champions in the office were very good and very approachable. It's definitely nice having someone to go to for less formal questions as they have been through it all before.

Over placement we did not here much from university which is understandable as there is no time to do an revision or work whilst on placement. There was so specific training when we arrived at the office but we did receive training before Christmas which was very useful and showed us the basics of the job. However, its very difficult to take this all on at once.

In order to become qualified we have to do 450 days of work experience, so there is no way out of it. So this is definitely a motivation to carry on as it is definitely achievable. Also all the modules studied at uni can be put into perspective at placement and the prior learning does help a lot.

Yeah there is always something going on in the office and it is quite daunting to get involved at first knowing no one. However, myself I did go along to the PwC netball team and everyone was so helpful and friendly. It is such a good way to meet more people and I will definitely be taking part in more social activities on my next placement.

Yes

They are one of the top employers with good company culture and they have so many opportunities to offer people. The firm is so diverse and there is so many departments and options to move around. Not to mention they are a worldwide firm which offer so much support which smaller firms maybe could not offer.

Definitely to research PwC before applying and to decide whether it is the firm for you as it definitely isn't everyone's cup of tea. If you want experience in a big four, top class clients and wide range of experience it can offer all of that. In regards to assessment days it is simply just about being prepared and following the instructions you're given and not over thinking things (which is very hard in an interview atmosphere). I will definitely help to get as much experience as possible when applying for sure.