Flying Start Associate Review

My role as a Flying Start Associate is to support an audit team with some of their evidence collecting activities, such as planning, control analysis, substantive testing and end of audit procedures. My daily tasks include checking in with my team in London, and talking to the relevant seniors and managers for the work I am completing.

I have learnt lots about the responsibilities that auditors hold outside of the basic audit. I have also developed my understanding of various excel formulae which are really useful in managing large data sets. A course that I have completed with the team is a basic course in Alteryx which has enabled our team to think outside the box to automate processes within the audit.

I really enjoy the programme in terms of the social aspect and the combination of university and real work. It is split up well which helps with revision for exams and separation when doing work and when being at uni. Sometimes my workflow has been limited which has been frustrating but I have used the support network available to me.

The programme is as well structured as it could possibly be for me. The split between university and work placement is perfect for separating the two. The induction and training at the beginning of the placement was the perfect precursor to the placement, and was key in introducing some key terminology and software that we would come across.

I really appreciate the support network available to me whilst on placement. I know that I can reach out to the manager/senior manager on the team for any support to do with work. I also have the Flying Start course co-ordinator to reach out to for any questions relating to the course or any general concerns. My resourcing team are also a really good outreach option for me if I have any questions about my resourcing, and then also my career coach has been a great help in settling me into the firm.

My training provider are really good in giving support when I am at university but also when I am on placement. I have leaned on my tutor at university for her experience when I have been finding placement harder, and she has been really good in giving me advice from her previous challenges when working in audit.

The work that we are doing at university is directly related to the work that we are doing on placement as they are modules created to mirror the ICAEW curriculum. This means that everything we learn at university is directly relevant to the work that we do, in other words putting theory into practice.

There are an abundance of opportunities available to be involved in at work, such as monthly socials with people in your department as well as people on your team. There are also regular sporting activities to partake in such as football and netball, with the occasional dodgeball tournament. There are also lots of chances to help out or contribute to student recruitment activities or additional trainings to attend.

Yes

The company for me is a fantastic opportunity to work in a place with like-minded people and people interested in the same things as you are. As a company, PWC provides you with so many opportunities such as working on FTSE 100 clients, working abroad, provision of training and development opportunities.

I would suggest that they get to grips with what the company does and what it provides. PWC essentially is a company that solves lots of different problems for lots of different companies in lots of different ways. To be able to demonstrate that you know about what PWC does as a firm would be a fantastic starter to applying there.