Audit Assistant Review

At the start of an audit I am assigned particular areas which I am responsible for ie cash and bank my daily tasks will consist of going through these sections and preparing the relevant workpapers and completing the testing in order to complete this testing I regularly need to interact with the client to obtain information required to gain audit evidence. I am assigned a coach (someone who is more senior than me at my level) my coach has been fantastic and I regularly ask her questions we also have weekly team catchup meetings with more senior members of the team.

Yeah, i'd say I have become much more confident with e audit and talking to clients and my accounting knowledge has increased massively since from where we started and i'm definitely beginning to work well from home as long as you pass your exams this is a given and you will progress in your teams.

I'd honestly give this a 2/3 if it weren't for the people I work with all of the apprentices get on very well and we are all able to support eachother which makes the program in itself much more enjoyable although I do sometimes feel underappreciated for sometimes not getting home before 8.

I think its quite poorly structured the team usually never say anything definitively and nearly always give answers that are subject to change I understand that this is the industry we work in but regularly things come 'up for review' when we were initially told we would be able to fast track. For example initially we would've had the option to fast track (Complete AAT Level 4 in one year instead of two) an option I would've liked but we have received little to no communication about this. Also something for people looking at joining from offices other than London - although initially we were told that we would rotate between 'consulting, deals, tax and audit' chances are you will end up in audit its very rare that apprentices get into consulting or deals in regional offices I believe. Then again I think audit is okay and I do plan on staying for the course of the programme I know I cant say the same for some of my colleagues who have recently left the business.

My support from my placement team is fantastic I have a Performance manager who regularly catches up with me and is genuinely interested in my development in the department and my exams we get time off for exams although this is usually not enough and you need to work some weekends in order to achieve top marks.

Yeah I think BPP is really good I think this is shown in there pass rates something like 92% whereas the industry average is 66% eitherway the tutors on BPP are all fantastic and have worked in accountancy throughout there careers the steps on the bpp are great and so are the practice tests on the aat website

it does to an extent whenever I need to make adjustments but in the day to day at this level not really although it has helped with a basic understanding of accounting systems a lot of work at junior levels doesn't require much technical accounting knowledge but it has and will helped.

yeah there are plenty of socials within the department within the firm and within the apprentices themselves this is without a doubt one of the best aspects about working at KPMG there is always an event to look forward to and the socials are usually very inclusive and enjoyable s.

Yes

Working at KPMG is a great opportunity the brand on your CV will go a long way and although some days may be very long and rough it will be worth it in the end if you come out of any Big 4 with 5 years experience and ACA qualification you have a very strong foundation to start your career.

I think to make sure that you are ready to work its a big change going from school to working full time I had a part time job alongside school which made the transition easier but its just as much you are the right fit for KPMG as KPMG is the right fit for you. If you make it to the assessment centre just research the firms values and tie these into your answers the STAR approach is great too :)