Audit Assistant Review

At RSM, I work in the audit department. I spend most of my time out at client sites performing specific tests designed by RSM in order to test the financial statements produced by our clients. I usually spend one or two weeks on each job and each job will have a different team. I really enjoy this aspect of the job as it enables me to work closely with every member of our department in turn.

I have developed my communication skills massively as I am required to engage with clients on a daily basis. It is essential for me to know how to approach difficult and sensitive issues with the clients so as not to insult or offend them in any way, but at the same time obtaining the information that I need in order to complete my work. I have also developed my organisation skills as I am required to balance my time between work, studying and social time, which can be challenging at times.

I enjoy my programme most of the time. I often look forward to going into work in the mornings as I enjoy spending time with all of my colleagues. The majority of people are friendly and will go out of their way in order to help you. My questions are always answered and nobody makes me feel like I am a burden to them. I look forward to developing my knowledge everyday as when I look back to when I first started, it has already developed so much. I am constantly surrounded by motivated, inspiring people who make me want to have a promising career.

On the whole my programme is fairly well structured. I work 5 days a week from 9:00-17:30. I follow set study modules at college and RSM book my courses and exams. However, I have had some issues with Kaplan not including me in exam and course lists when RSM have booked me onto them and I have had one instance where RSM themselves have forgotten to book me onto my college course and so I have had to follow Kaplan's home study course instead.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. I definitely feel as though there are people that I can rely on for support. I can ask almost anybody in the office for help if I am struggling with anything and they will do their best to help me. We have regular meetings to discuss my progress, where I can express any concerns that I have and my line manager will set me targets.

I receive a fair amount of support from my training provider. The tutors will answer any questions that I have during the classroom sessions and will provide me with their email for remote questions that I have. However, as previously mentioned, I have had admin errors with Kaplan that can often make me feel the opposite of supported as it can be quite stressful.

Studying my qualification helps me to gain an understanding of not only accounting as a whole, but also the meaning of key jargon that I hear around the work place on a daily basis. This means that I can engage in important conversations whilst I am at work and push my development on. It also means that I can begin to understand why as auditors we perform the specific tests that we do and the importance of them. However most importantly, my studies help me gain an understanding of the challenges that our clients face on a daily basis and how I can best make the audit easier and less stressful for them.

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities that take place at RSM. There are countless networking events that we are invited to and are trusted in order to represent RSM. There are plenty of opportunities to attend these events, no matter what level you are within the company. There are also countless social events that we attend as an office or as a department. I have taken part in things such as escape rooms, going to watch the darts at the echo arena, going for meals and going for drinks.

Yes

RSM is a very positive place to work. Everybody is friendly and willing to talk to you, which makes getting up in the morning to go to work so much easier. I look forward to going in to work to see my colleagues, which is something that is very important to me. There are plenty of opportunities for career development at RSM and there is plenty of people around the office who are willing to help you achieve your goals.

I would tell others applying to RSM to research the role that they are applying for in order to ensure that they know exactly what they are signing for and can be sure that they will be working in the correct department for them. Since I started at RSM, I have become aware of how different each department is, so it is important to ensure that you are confident with the role that you apply for. I would also advise others to ask lots of questions once they start work at RSM as it is the best and quickest way to learn and develop your knowledge.