Business Academy Review

Shadowing partners and staff members to gain and insight of what is was like to work at EY. We also did certain tasks on our own which were set by our buddy. We also had the opportunity to look at the different departments within EY to gage which sector we would like to go in the most if we were to join EY later in life. At one point myself and my colleague got to sit in one of EY’s conference calls and take notes and listen to how a professional organisation works. At the end of the work experience we had to do separate presentations to a partner of EY on the topic of ‘what do we think is the most exciting technological development’.

I learnt some basic accounting skills which gave me a good insight into what accounting would be like as an actual job which was very beneficial to me as it lead to me making the decision to apply for an apprenticeship within EY! We also massively developed our confidence, communication, and presentation skills as a result of doing the presentation in front of an EY partner. As well as this, we learnt how to keep our presentations short yet interesting and grasping which is a skill I will carry for the rest of my life definitely.

I thoroughly enjoyed my work experience. Not just because it gave me a great insight into working within a large, global business, but because it allowed me to realise what I wanted to do next in my career and therefore I chose to do an apprenticeship within EY for accounting! As well as this, the Manchester Office (where I was working) was immaculate and extremely professional which is something which really impressed me as I could envision myself working there in a professional manner.

Our work experience was very well organised. We were given a timetable which set out our week with the tasks we were going to complete which made it clear what to expect. We were also assigned a buddy which guided us and helped us with certain tasks and was effectively in charge of us. We knew that our presentation was at the end of the week and we were given time throughout the week to work on our presentation etc.

I learnt a lot about EY and just general global businesses! EY are extremely professional and everyone working there is lovely and kind. I learnt that EY have a very flexible working programme where their employees can work from home and it seemed that all employees that I spoke to were very grateful for this. They have a very diversified team which is great to see and lots of amazing and interesting people to meet. It really did impress me hence why I am doing an apprenticeship with EY starting September 2020!

Massively, massively helped me. It really did give me an insight as to what accounting is like - I didn’t even know what accounting was really until I did the work experience. On top of this, understanding that I would benefit more from ‘learning on the job’ as oppose to going to university and sitting in lectures etc effectively ‘sealed the deal’ on my choice to do an apprenticeship over University. The work experience was a massive contributing factor as to what I want to do for my future.

Yes we were paid around £6.50 an hour I believe which I wasn’t actually aware of until a week before I started (my fault, guilty)! I wasn’t expecting to be paid at all so it was a pleasant surprise. After my travel costs and food were taken into account for the week and deducted from my payslip, I think I made around £140 which was great considering it was 5 days work experience where I wasn’t expecting to be paid at all!

Yes there were! Me and my colleague were given the opportunity to look at and talk to employees in the various different sectors within EY. Also, at the start of the day, everyday, all the business academy employees met in the reception of the office before going to our sectors which allowed us to have a chat and compare each other’s experiences.

Yes

They are an amazing, global and professional business which take pride in their appearance and work. All their employees are grateful to be working there and enjoy their work. The freedom of the ‘flexible working’ seemed to be a massive hit for the employees and I would definitely agree. I was only someone there on work experience and on £6.50 an hour but I was treated like a qualified accountant and everyone was willing to speak to me and help me with any questions!

I would advice people to brush up on their technological knowledge definitely. This seemed to be a reoccurring theme within EY and they are constantly using new technologies to benefit their work place. There were technology related questions / scenarios in the application process also. However, in terms of skills is definitely confidence! Confidence is everything and most certainly benefited me greatly throughout the application process and work experience. Everyone on the business academy were also confident and really easy to talk to as well as every single employee within EY so confidence is definitely a key factor!