Assurance Associate Review

I work in GPS (Government and Public Sector).On a daily basis my job role involves, understanding a local government's financial statements and performing audit work/tests on this information. Much of my testing includes obtaining bank statements and invoices to support the figures that the client has provided to us. This is also a client facing role which means I have various meetings with clients to catch up on work and queries. Also we are required to attend training to help us understand and learn about audit and the specific sector that we are in. Also, we are required to attend college and study towards our professional qualification.

You learn a lot of communications skills when working in various teams and when meeting with clients. You learn the audit procedures as you work as well as learning in college whilst studying towards your professional qualification.

The programme is well spread out in terms of exams. We have 5 years to complete all of our exams as well as learning audit procedures on the way. There's lots of support on this programme from peers or people that have already passed their qualifications also.

It is very well structured, in the beginning, you are given a guide as to when your exams will be throughout the following years. You also attend college before some of these exams to aid your study which is well planned around these exams. There's lots of training in place also to help you with on the job learning.

You receive a lot of support throughout your time at EY. When you start you are given a buddy who is at a similar stage to you in your training but has more experience who can support you with any general queries about exams or the job itself. You are also allocated a counsellor who is more experience who will check in on you to see how you're doing and to offer any guidance/support.

For some of your exams, you attend college where you get lots of support from your tutor for your upcoming exam/exams. In some cases you do not attend college but there are lots of online resources as well as study guides and question banks which give you lots of help towards your exams.

Your qualification gives you the knowledge you need to perform better in your role. Your first few exams give you a great guideline for audit procedures and the exams following enhance and improve your knowledge which will allow you to complete other tasks which may be more difficult.

We like to be very sociable at EY. We have done quiz nights outside of work, we have also competed in a football tournament with our audit teams. There has also been a ski trip for people that work at EY. There are lots of networking events to get involved with.

Yes

EY is a great employer who puts their workers first. You get to work in different teams and meet new people often as well as making good friends. There lots to do outside of work and you are well supported by peers and other colleagues at EY.

I would ensure that you fully understand the vision, values and mission of the firm. Additionally, try to get involved in extra-circular activities that make you stand out from the rest. Be prepared with knowledge of the firm and different roles within it, especially the role that you are applying for.