Flying Start Degree programme - Associate (FS1), Reading Office Review

Being a Flying start, you get a great opportunity to witness auditor's day to day routine. Even though it gets challenging sometimes, the first hand experience is worth every minute of that straggle. You get to visit clients and put out real audit enquiries, that will assist in carrying out testing for the work assigned by your team. In short, if you are thinking of adopting audit as your future profession, this is the way to decide whether you like it or not.

Engaging client's employees boosts the ability to speak to third parties, as every day you are required to work outside your comfort zone, since every client has different employees and is on a different site. Personally i also have developed my organisational and time management skills, due to the fact that in many occasions i was required to work on more than one client, therefore i had to prioritise my work, in order operate as efficiently as i could.

The program was really exciting. I was looking forward for working with PwC, as this would offer me a first hand experience of how real life audit work is done, but in the same time would help me break out a bit from the routine of studying and doing uni work.

The program is very well organised, responding to the needs of students enrolled in that, very quickly. Within the firm, the resourcing team is responsible for utilising the firm's resources, so employees are not idled and not doing anything. Teams are well monitored to meet goals and deadlines, which in turn adds to the quality of work.

Each trainee receives great amount of support. Within the engagement teams a trainee is being assigned a coach which helps him in understanding the logic and the purpose of what he is doing. Outside engagements, individuals are assigned a career coach and a buddy which have as their priority both admin support but also emotional support for the trainee.

Similarly to PwC, my university has assigned an individual responsible for keeping track of how i am doing and be updated regarding my well being. The university has been pretty understanding during this unprecedented period we are going through, trying to find a solution on how to be examined during the summer term, that will work for all parties involved.

The course last year had been re-structured, altering the order in which specific modules are distributed within the year groups. This has benefited my year group, in the sense that the knowledge we had was more appropriate and in turn more beneficial for the purpose of having the placement. Some examples of modules that were distributed for the first year of my studies is Introduction to Tax, Introduction to Accounting, Management and Assurance.

During the 3 month period of my placement i didn't get the chance to experience any sporting activities. I believe this is due to the busy period. In Reading office however, other events take place frequently. Such events include curry nights or movie nights. Therefore, beside the 3 month busy period, there are plenty of events to choose from.

Yes

PwC is a company that cares about its employees' well being and welfare. Fruits are made available to everyone within offices to promote healthy eating. Also, there is a play room with ping pong and foosball table to ease some of the pressure. Lastly, PwC is a company that respects its employees by reimbursing all work expenses.

Be open to learning, because each day is something new. Take work seriously and build as many relationships as you can. Everyone has to offer you something. Lastly, take chances by being risky and not shy. PwC represents all of that and provides newcomers the opportunity to enjoy a new professional experience.