Flying Start Degree programme - AS2, Milton Keynes Review

I work as an associate in Audit in a big four firm. On a day to day basis, I audit financial statements of various clients. The firm allows you to chose between banking and capital markets clients or central clients (which includes variety of businesses). I personally perform audit of big banks, which means working on more niche areas.

As part of working in a big four firm environment, you learn to pick up many skills. It helps you become more mature and act professionally and responsibly. You develop your time management skills, as well as your inter personal skills (creating colleague and client contacts), as well as leadership skills, technical capabilities and of course perseverance during the long hours of busy season.

I really enjoy my programme as I am very curious by nature and I enjoy diving into the unknown and being enthusiastic about learning. I enjoy the dynamic of the programme which allows us to spend 1st term at university, then 2nd term on placement, 3rd term for exams and summer to take a break, therefore you never get bored. However, this also interrupts the usual university experience, so it depends on what you are after.

I am really happy that I had the opportunity to enroll on this programme, as it gives me 12/15 expemptions for the ACA professional qualification and it also combines university experience and work experience. This hands on method of studying allows you to better grasp the real life implications of the subjects studied, therefore you get the best of both worlds.

I receive massive support from my employer. They have a representative who is in touch with our university programme director at all times and is also available to answer any of our queries or concerns regarding work at PwC, Visa applications etc. During placement itself, we have an assigned personal Career Coach that helps us develop and provides support and advice.

ICAEW, our training provider, sends us copies of all training materials, books, exam practice, course notes, tax tables or other accounting standards books which we are allowed to use for our exams. Their website is easy to navigate when it comes to filling in your worked hours and other contribution to your qualification.

My qualification provides me with a lot of the necessary knowledge which I need in order to be able to perform my day to day job. In addition, the course materials are structured in such a way that they cover the most important fields you would like to know about, and no irrelevant information.

There are social drinks every month end, sports activities such as Monday Football, there is Badminton organised and to be fair any initiative is encouraged if you wish to set up your own extra carricular activity (such as my friend who found colleagues passionate about Tennis). There are also sections where you can borrow a book and people share books they loved with others to read as well. Every Friday we have a Friday quiz with the whole office which is really fun and a nice short break from work. In addition, there are a lot of wellbeing or learning events organised which you can attend if interested.

Yes

I would definitely recomment PwC to a friend because of the people culture within the firm. There are a lot of ways in which people support you, there are contacts you could turn to for your wellbeing and there are a lot of fun activities or opportunities you can get involved with.

If you would like to apply to work at PwC you could either go via the Flying Start University programme or School Leavers programme or in many other ways (I would recomment asking for what is best for you as each has unique benefits). Be yourself, you don't need to be an expert, just be enthusiastic and willing to learn and put the effort in! Be open minded and positive, and be friendly and approachable.