Flying Start Degree programme - FS2 London - More London Office Review

Audit: We are expected to join audit teams to work on the year-end audits of PwC clients. The role involves testing of various accounting areas, regular interaction with the client and the completion of said testing. The level and complexity of work depends on your grade, but all Flying Start interns are given the appropriate level of coaching and support.

I have been able to develop my Excel skills, using more advanced formulae and functions. I have also further my communication, email, video and conference calling skills. Working effectively as a team is vital, and being able to maintain a work/life balance is also very useful. Overall, the scheme is excellent for developing a professional toolkit.

While the hours can be very long (the scheme runs from Jan-Mar each year - audit busy season), the placements are ultimately enjoyable. The teams always put in the effort to organise inclusive social events, and the firm has an overall culture of balancing hard work with social experiences. The flexible working opportunities also help with this.

The programme is very well structured from start to finish. Both the firm and the university gave us a clear idea of what to expect, what would be expect from us, and the opportunities that would be available to us should we succeed. The firm has a very effective feedback system, and teams delegate work fairly based on experience.

We each have a permanent 'Career Coach' with whom we have regular meetings to give progress updates, give support, iron out any problems should they arise. Everyone in the firm is united in supporting anyone who asks for help, regardless of their grade. All my questions no matter how small or simple were answered by my seniors, and as such my placement experience was very smooth.

PwC pay 10% of our Uni tuition fees for each year we are on placement. All the ICAEW books are provided to us free of charge. While the actual teaching of accounting content is handled by the uni, the firm does provide support, and exams are held in high importance.

We work towards ultimately becoming qualified chartered accountants with the ICAEW, as such our training is essential to performing our role. But the most important aspect of the training is the informal coaching given on the job by your seniors. There is a very strong culture of helping others, to the extent that coaching is part of seniors' job descriptions. As such, you always have access to the support and training you need.

Everyone is assigned to a social group which organises regular social events, ranging from sports to drinks to various other activities. Volunteering and charity work opportunities also exist, and these all give you the chance to expand your professional network. While it can be sometimes challenging to attend all of these given the high workload, they are vital to maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Yes

If you are prepared to work hard and be a team player, the Flying Start programme is an ideal opportunity to have both a university and work experience simultaneously. As the name suggests, it is a very fast route to getting the ACA and getting into the world of accounting.

Keep an open mind about the experience, be prepared to work some long hours, but you will have a great experience. When applying, keep in mind that the firm is looking for professionally minded people so make sure your application highlights any previous experience you may have, and your overall 'business acumen'