FlyingStart 2 Review

I am a flying start 2 working in audit. So I will be a less senior member of the team and will be assigned task but more senior team members. Daily tasks include carrying out testing on relevant FSLI, documenting board minutes, attending catch ups, testing controls, interacting with the client. All my responsibilities will be reviewed by a senior associate.

I have definitely learnt new skills. The programmes and software used such as Aura platinum, client connect, workday, concur expenses, sparkpad even google drive are all new things to me which I had never used before placement. By the end of my placement I could comfortably use all the necessary programmes confidently after being coached on how to use them and using the software on a daily basis.

I definitely enjoy placement despite it being tough and being exposed to long hours during busy season. It is the most realistic way to give you an in site into how things will be once graduated and join the firm full time. I do believe some more coaching and support should be giving throughout the programme which is maybe something that could improve in the future.

The placement is very well structured I do believe, it is made very clear even before joining university how the course is structured. However, the training before placement I feel is very overwhelming and can come across very rushed despite it being very helpful. Once arriving at placement this is where I feel more could be done as I feel like a lot of staff in the PwC offices don't know much about flying starts are sometimes expect more of us so it would be good if office managers or even associates step in and help coach and support the FS's more.

There is a lot of contacts that can reach out to over placement. The main one would be the career coach. Everyone is assigned to a coach at the start of placement who is there to offer advice and help with any issues you might encounter over placement. The engagement team members and manager's support varies from each team.

The university are very supportive and all staff are very attentive and helpful even when we are not at university and are away on placement. We have regular contact with the university tutors and we are always kept updated via emails and updates on blackboard. The tutors even keep us updated on uni work changes and revision for when we are away.

I would say the uni course is very well suited with the placement and they both do work hand in hand. For example for the audit module in second year is exactly the role you take in placement and everything you learn in class can be put into real life perspective.

(Obviously I am talking in regards to the edinburgh office) Which is very social. I have got involved with the womans netball team which is a good way to get to know more people outside of your engagement team. I know they also offer well being socials, mens football and lots of other sporting things. So there is definitely a lot to get involved with outside of the audit.

Yes

It is an excellent big firm that can offer so many different opportunities such as working in different departments, sabbaticals, travelling. Each office is very social and like a big family which is nice and warming especially for new people coming into the firm. The amount of roles PwC offer there is something for everyone.

For the Flying Start application process I would recommend just being up to date with the latest news and know your basic knowledge to impress the interviewer. Things such as 'what is an audit?'. In regards to group assessments you want to be confident and contribute but it is key to consider other peoples opinions and views despite if you think yours in the right/correct way. I would also say any work experience or volunteering opportunities that you can use in examples when being interviewed is a very good idea too.