Flying Start Degree Programme - FS1 Belfast Review

by PwC

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

6.4/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Working on elements such as cash, payroll and operating expenses on the audit of numerous clients. Each client that I was booked to involved different tasks whether it was looking at planning stages or testing procedures. I was both on site and office based throughout this time working on clients in different industries.

5/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have largely improved my excel skills from a time efficiency and technical perspective. The PwC Aura system was a new technological system which I had not been familiar with; I have learnt how to navigate my way around this system and gained an understanding of internal resources used. I feel I have also developed in confidence in relation to speaking out when struggling.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the studies of the programme, however my placement experience has not lived up to my expectations. I have been working on elements that have been out of my comfort zone and this has not been an enjoyable aspect. I feel as though this is due to it being the first year of the flying start programme in Belfast as there was a lack of structure.

6/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

At university , the programme is extremely well structured and the facilities and resourcing available is great. However, I have not felt the same applies to my team on placement. As mentioned above, this was the first year of Belfast flying starts and I thought there was a severe lacking of structure for us.

5/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

At the beginning it was limited, but having flagged issues up with my people manager, resourcing, there has been a large improvement in support. It has been noted that for future placements what will change and improve - this has been highly encouraging. I think being a part of a team offers a large support network day to day which was lacking for me in February.

6/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

I receive updates on email from the institute and in relation to my training we are provided with textbooks and question banks in preparation for our exams.

6/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

N/A

10/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

I am not aware of sporting groups. There are social activities that occur throughout the year, so as placement students we are not heavily involved in this.

6/10

9a. Would you recommend PwC to a friend?

9b. Why?

From my perspective, I think it is quite impersonal and think it can be a struggle to integrate into the firm.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?

I would advise making the most of social opportunities in order to feel part of your department and get to know your colleagues.