Senior Review

As a senior within the Wealth & Asset Management Audit department at EY it is my job to coach and delegate to the staff in the team. I also review their work and coordinate with managers to ensure we have enough resourcing and are on track to meet our agreed milestones with the clients.

I have learnt the art of delegating which sounds like a simple skill but it is not just a case of handing over your work, it involves assigning the task in enough detail to minimalize confusion. It also involves answering queries whilst the staff completes the task and it also involves reviewing the work and providing feedback to ensure improvement.

I think the programme has offered many opportunities and has enabled me to network with some incredible people who have accomplished so much within the firm. I am part of the EY Women's Network and have trekked the Sahara Dessert raising money for the EY foundation charity both of which I would not have been able to experience without the opportunities provided by EY.

The programme is very well structed with timetables for college and exams being circulated in advance. Materials for exams are delivered to your home address which makes things a lot easier. The first set of exams are all computer based and are fairly flexible whereas the professional level exams are more regimented and exam dates can be accessed in advance on the ICAEW website.

There are so many different people there to support you through the programme though so you are never alone, you are assigned a buddy (usually one level above) and a counsellor (two levels above). You are also part of a counselling family tree group and a peer group whereby meetings are held on an ad-hoc basis offering support.

Kaplan are the official training provider for the EY Degree Apprenticeship Programme. They have online resources which include tutorial videos, mock exams and practice questions. You are also provided with physical exam materials which I already mentioned are delivered to your house. Finally, there are exam preparation days at the college to best prepare you for the exam.

I think my exams help me to better understand my role and the reasoning behind each task I perform which gives your tasks a purpose as you can see where it fits into the wider picture of the engagement as a whole. Some topics that I don't directly deal with like tax for example do not benefit directly but do interest me and could eventually be of interest to me as a career so the exams offer you a variety.

I am a member of the social committee within the Wealth and Asset Management department here at EY and so I get involved with arranging events for the department for example dodgeball, drinks and busy season pizza nights to keep the department networking and staying motivated. I am also a member of the EY Women's Network promoting diversity within the department.

Yes

EY is a great company that offers fantastic opportunities and brings out the best in every individual regardless of their background. It is a diverse and exciting place to work. It sets you on a good path for any future career whether that be staying in EY or moving into industry.

I would recommend EY to any potential student looking for a degree apprenticeship and would advise them to keep an open mind, don't see it as a career in audit or tax, see it as a stepping stone to building yourself a career in finance. Say yes to every opportunity and remember everything happens for a reason.