Senior Review

Senior role in audit corporate assurance. The job involves working on a variety of business clients in assessing their yearly financial statements to ensure that these are free from material misstatement and error. Thus resulting in the users of the financial statements (i.e shareholders) to be able to place reliance on this for things such as investment decisions.

Skills I've obtained are wide ranging. This includes personal skills such as learning how to work as part of a team as well as completing important individual tasks, being able to manage client relationships. As well as developing advanced skills and accounting knowledge through the completion of the ACA accounting qualification.

Given the variety of the scheme no day is the same. I'm constantly working on different areas of different company financial statements and meeting loads of new people on a daily basis. This is both motivating and rewarding in the sense that I have been able to develop my people skills as well as that of learning how to manage with varied client work.

The scheme results in 2 exams being taken at a time over the 4/5 years. I've found this to be just right and manageable. What you learn in the classroom you are then able to put into practice on the job and thus the two complement each-other well. There is continuous help from people of wide-ranging experiences and levels to assist throughout your studies as well as assistance with completing your work on the job.

Every school-leaver is designated a specific 'counsellor'. This is an experienced member of the leadership team who is a first point of call contact available for you should you have any questions/concerns. Study days are also given to reduce workload so that you are able to focus on upcoming exams.

Through Kaplan's online service there is constant support in many different forms. There are pre recorded videos and guides that help you with your studies as well as relevant supporting material uploaded on the site to help revision. There is also a chat service which enables you to ask specific questions to designated professional tutors - this is also available at weekends which helps with studying before an exam!

The qualification compliments the job at hand nicely given that you are learning about technical accounting theory which you can then put to practice in your real-life client scenarios. The qualification is wide ranging and doesn't focus purely on technical accounting knowledge but also that of law, tax and business planning which helps enable you to provide further insight to your clients.

There are numerous social events throughout the year organised by the office's social committee. These include monthly drinks, sports activities, Christmas parties and more. There is a real 'family feel' to the office given that it isn't as big as others which enables employees to get to know each other better and benefit from these social events.

Yes

It's a great place to work if you're looking for challenges and personal development along side obtaining the ACA qualification. The salary is highly competitive and there is lots of chance for internal promotions going forward having joined straight from school. The job can also be very rewarding in other ways such as making new contacts in industry.

Research the company before applying and try to get a sense of it's vision for the future and what 'building a better working world' means to you. Take your time on the initial assessments and give all answers deep thought before submitting. If at the assessment centre stage don't be too overpowering and prevent others from giving their input. The ability to listen to others is valued just as much as generating your own ideas!