Flying Start Degree Programme - Year 2 Review

On a day to day basis I would work with my team to complete areas of the audit, including performing testing, analysis and consultation with clients to gain comfort of the information published within the financial statements. The areas in which work was performed would vary significantly from day to day depending on what needed to be done and whether of not we were able to complete that area yet with the documentation and explanation we received.

I have learnt a significant number of new skills and developed existing skills during my time at PwC. I learnt how to proficiently use a large number of PwC applications as well as Google and Microsoft applications. I was able to build on my previous skills in Microsoft Excel to work faster and more efficiently through the use of shortcuts and tools.

I thoroughly enjoyed my programme, it was immensely interesting working for a large accounting firm during busy season. I was always learning new things and building on prior knowledge as well as working very closely with a team to complete large amounts of work. I also had a significant amount of contact with clients.

The programme is well structured, with clear goals and expectations; the programme is positioned to fit in with university learning as a 3-month long mid-year placement, which facilitates the implementation of skills learned at university in a working environment. However, at times organisation was an issue, due to the placement being in busy season everyone was extremely busy and they often had a restricted amount of time to provided coaching.

As a whole the employer has been very supportive; there are always staff contacts you can approach with questions and issues and if something is raised it is dealt with quickly and efficiently to ensure the best outcome for everyone. There are 'career coaches' assigned to every employee who are an approachable 'go-to' contact within the firm who have a dedicated amount of time to look after and help coachees; such people are very easy to talk to and are always willing to help out when necessary.

N/A - This isn't really applicable to this programme. The qualifications are done at university, externally of PwC. While the use the knowledge we learn from the modules, and learn more information to help with the modules during the placement, there is no direct support for working towards the qualifications while working at PwC. All of the work towards the qualifications is done at university.

I feel like the qualification help me better perform my role. All the exams at completed and studies for at university and the placement is an opportunity to apply all the knowledge gained in a work environment. If I hadn't studied for/completed the exams I would feel a lot less prepared and a lot less able to complete the work assigned to me.

There are a limited number of extra-curricular activities that I was aware about at work. There are social groups which everyone is assigned to, which have a social every month during the week (often on a Tuesday or Wednesday), however, due to people having large workloads attendance at these events is poor at best. There is little to no publication of activities which can be performed outside of work, but I am aware of several existing. There isn't a particularly good work life balance and as a result there is little room available for extra-curricular activities, once people finish work they want to spend some time at home resting rather than participating in extracurricular activities.

Yes

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at PwC, everything is very fast-paced and there is always work to complete, but the rate at which your learn is unbelievable, covering new things every day in a large number of different areas, constantly applying your knowledge to complete the work assigned to you. I learned considerably more during my 3-month placement at PwC than I learnt in a whole year at university, as well as having the ability to apply the knowledge in a work situation and not just regurgitate knowledge.

I would advice others to look at the programme a major contender in getting into the accounting industry. The programme is an excellent opportunity to apply knowledge in a working situation without directly learning (studying to complete exams) while working. You also learn to work in a high pressure environment, meeting expectations and deadlines. I would however, inform everyone that you should expect long hours every day, a 9-5 day is highly abnormal and you are often lucky to finish before 8pm.