Audit associate Review

Performing audit work during busy season, at client site and in the PWC office. Working with different teams, usually for a 2-3 week booking, and working with the client contacts in order to obtain supporting audit evidence. You are usually assigned different tasks or areas o the audit file to complete during your booking. You can perform substantive audit work, controls testing, planning, completion, audit of the financial statements.

I have learnt many new skills over my placements; the soft skills being team work, ability to quickly form new relationships, communication, being assertive, ability to adapt to suit my style to suit others, leadership of others, time management, managing expectations, managing responsibilities and my work load, coaching others. Technically, I have improved excel skills, developed a wider understanding of the audit practice and how to apply theory to real life audits.

I greatly enjoy the Flying start program, it is a great opportunity to blend real life work experience with the full university experience, meaning you gain a degree and a full theoretical understanding of the business, accounting and finance sector. PwC is a great company to work for, with global opportunities (that I have experienced during placements) as well as huge scope for progression and development.

PwC is very structured, with clear grades you progress through and clear roles for team members to take on, depending on their grade. Your bookings to jobs can sometimes be short notice however due to the nature of audit and usually carrying out work on site with the client, this should be expected. It is a fast paced environment, particularly between Jan-March, and deadlines are to be expected. However despite this, there are many organised channels of support available to you therefore it is your responsibility to draw upon this network for support.

There is always support available in PwC - you just might need to reach out for it. Everybody has a people manager assigned to them, as well as their being social groups, wellbeing champs, flying start cohort, champs and alumni, the flying start admin team, as well as everyone else in your PwC network you have met along the way!

For flying starts, as the exams are sat as part of your uni degree and you get exemptions, your primary support when working towards qualifications is from uni. However PwC are always there if needs be. I know from peers who are graduates and study for exams, dedicated college and self managed learning time is given, and consideration is usually made by your team for you to leave at a reasonable time to revise.

The theoretical knowledge of accounting and audit is crucial to provide audit quality, we need these qualifications, and need to apply them to our testing to understand whether we are happy with the financial statements we are signing. Knowledge of accounting standards is crucial in order to understand whether the client is correctly accounting.

There are many many extra curricular activities at PWC - lots of sports activities football netball yoga, as well as social events. I took on the role of competition champion to involve myself in my social group and expand my network.

Yes

Large business, lots of opportunities, always new people to meet and work with, everyday is different (which is actually quite enjoyable once you are used to it!), currently really driving a focus on audit quality and on their people so you feel valued and care about the work you are doing, there are lots of great people in the firm.

Don't think it is an easy job however know it is worth making the most of, always come to work ready to learn and with an open mind, don't waste the opportunity to work here, take ownership and pride in your work, engage with pwc values and goals.