Audit Assisstant Review

My day to day role often involves going out to client sites and performing testing on their financial statements as per the audit. I do mainly substantive testing which involves looking through documentation such as invoices and other documentation to perform my tests. I also spend a lot of time talking to the clients in order to understand more about their business and allow us to tailor the tests of the audit to the client.

I have really improved my excel and computing skills as before I did have very little knowledge over the techniques and the skills which can be used on this software to make life a lot easier. I have also further improved my communication skills working with colleagues and clients alike to be able to talk to them effectively and get the information that I need.

I very much enjoy the programme which I take part in. The role is very varied and you are not treated as an apprentice and more as a full part of the team which makes it a really nice feeling that you belong. RSM is a very welcoming company and you are very much made to feel valued by your employer. The college is also nicely varied and time is giving off work to attend these and to complete exams.

The programme is very effectively structure by RSM. They have a dedicated team at BPP and this allows any issues we have to be dealt with and it is a vital part in securing our success at BPP. RSM has training managers who are there to help from your department and you are dealing with these on a constant basis which makes approaching any problems easier. Even though RSM are great, BPP lacks a structured organisation and very much need to improve on their customer relation skills as there technology is outdated and often those at BPP support are unhelpful so it is best to go through RSM.

I receive a lot of support from my employer with them being available all the time to be able to talk with exam training managers and time off can always be arranged if you are really struggling and need some extra time on an exam. They care about you as an individual and want you to succeed.

BPP is supportive in that they provide good quality teaching and they have a wide array of knowledge and good resources available such as the library for independent study. I would however say BPP is a badly organised organisation and this does not help with the stress of the exams.

I feel the AAT is very relative to my role as it is helping me with different aspects of the work which I am performing. Some parts help better than others such as the accounting knowledge which has been gained through learning of accruals and prepayments and debits and credits. Other topics such as budgeting and decision and control are less relative at the moment however may be useful in the future and helping me to become a more rounded accountant.

RSM has a wide array of extra activities. I would consider RSM to be one of the most sociable firms I know with the whole office having events on a monthly basis such as quiz, tasting events, and on a department levels the firm pays for days out once a year for team building but often after meetings there are food and drinks available at nearby pubs. This really helps build the atmosphere and especially around the festive period RSM has a large offering such as a 'fall ball' and xmas parties.

Yes

I feel this is such a unique opportunity which allows you to be immediately treated as an adult from a young age and allowing me to progress further than my friends who have gone to university. I have much more freedom and I am more respected in the outside world for going into work and achieving new highs which people may not have heard of before.

I would say that to not be worried if it al seems a little bit strange at the start. This is such a new world and if you are anything like me I cried and said I didn't want to do it anymore and I should have gone to university. However, when I gave it a short and got more into the job I realised how great it is and the opportunities which I have available to me now. Don't worry. Don't panic. Be yourself and give it your best go! And RSM is such a friendly firm and there's loads of new starters in the same position. You will work it out together with people always there to help.