Flying Start / Intern Review

As an auditor, you will be assigned areas of a client file to perform. As a starter this will start from simple documents such as documenting evidence to samples picked and preparing lead schedules, cash and PPE. As, you advance over time, the work assigned becomes more technical and complex, testing areas such as Accruals, Revenue and Journals.

Transferrable skills: o Communication and listening including the ability to produce clear, structured business communications in a variety of media o Articulating and effectively explaining information o Self-management and a readiness to accept responsibility and flexibility, to be resilient, self-starting and appropriately assertive, to plan, organise and manage time o An awareness of the interpersonal skills of effective listening, negotiating, persuasion and presentation and their use in generating business contacts o Emotional intelligence and empathy Professional practical skills: o Self-analysis and awareness/sensitivity to diversity in terms of people and cultures – including a continuing appetite for development o Commercial acumen based on an awareness of the key drivers for business success, causes of failure and the importance of providing customer satisfaction and building customer loyalty Intellectual skills: o The ability to analyse and evaluate a range of business data, sources of information and appropriate methodologies, which includes the need for strong digital literacy, and to use that research for evidence-based decision-making o Conceptual and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and evaluation

During my time I would say that I enjoyed to a large extent. It must be noted that hard work is essential for this programme to passed, however, the rewards from this course make it a great sacrifice. Upon completion of this programme, a student would have passed 12/15 exams under the ICAEW chartered qualification, whilst also being offered a job at Pwc, a Big4 firm, and a degree from University. Furthermore, whilst on placement, i have had many great experiences, one being going to San Francisco and Cleveland (USA) for three weeks on my second placement on an overseas client.

As an individual who started as part of the first cohort on the Nottingham programme, i can 100% say that in my experience, this programme has had a lot of hard work and planning out into it. Furthermore, since being in its 6th year now at Nottingham, and also taking part in the second and third cohort, this programme has only got better and better.

Whilst at Pwc, you receive a lot of support; this ranges from: Resourcing - who are able to help out in the jobs and areas/industry you want to focus on in terms of clients and also other things such as secondments and international travel. Peoples Manager: Everybody in the firm has a person who manages their personal progress and development, even Partners. PM's manage your performance, feedback, and are also available if you have any issues and need help or advise. Peoples Champion - All offices have a Flying Start Champion who looks after all the flyins starts in the office. Buddies - Upon joining the firm, you are assigned a buddy

Please see the above (Number 5): Whilst at Pwc, you receive a lot of support; this ranges from: Resourcing - who are able to help out in the jobs and areas/industry you want to focus on in terms of clients and also other things such as secondments and international travel. Peoples Manager: Everybody in the firm has a person who manages their personal progress and development, even Partners. PM's manage your performance, feedback, and are also available if you have any issues and need help or advise. Peoples Champion - All offices have a Flying Start Champion who looks after all the flyins starts in the office. Buddies - Upon joining the firm, you are assigned a buddy

This qualification is a programme which consists of a Chartered Qualification (ICAEW), a University degree at a Russell Group Uni (Nottingham) and Professional work experience at a Big4 firm (PwC). Therefore, since it is all interrelated, whatever you learn in one aspect is cemented through the other. For example, the theory you learn in the exams (Uni and ICAEW) is actioned upin when on placement (PwC). Also, second, third and fourth years are split into two, one semester at Uni and the other on placement.

PwC is a firm which is known to be more social and friendly out of the Big4 firms. At PwC there is always something going on and a number of activities readily available to take part in: these can range from sports, Friday night socials, Quizz nights, Office day socials (Escape Rooms, Bowling, Food, etc) and Seasoned socials (End of Busy Season Boat party, Christmas Social)

Yes

PwC is a great firm which offers great opportunities. Being a leader in what it does, whilst also being the top professional services firm to work for a nearly a decade, PwC is a great place to start, settle or even end your career. Though, it is a company which demands hard work, once Chartered, the rewards are mind blowing, especially when qualifying from a Big4 firm.

There are a number of tips which are useful: 1) Prepare for interview. There are a lot of reviews online of the type of questions companies ask; skills and competencies. Take heed of this, it will help you in the interview room. 2) Assessment days: Though it may seem off putting, the tests are actually alright once you've had enough practice. Alot of these tests are avaibale online so do give them a go. 3) Prior experience is not a necessity but would be very helpful, especially when answering the skills and competencies questions.