Business Academy Intern Review

The virtual programme took place on Microsoft Teams over 3 days. There were a variety of panel sessions, networking opportunities, skills sessions, a case study exercise, a fun competition and lots more. Most sessions were applicable to candidates for all 4 service lines, and there were also separate sessions focusing on Tax and Assurance, to give us a better insight into their operations. The Student Recruitment team were very friendly and made it both an informative and enjoyable experience. They spoke to us not only about the work they do at EY, but also the value they bring to their clients and how they play a role in 'building a better working world'.

While this was a virtual experience, it was just as beneficial in developing my skills. The case study session was very useful as we had the chance to work individually on an example audit, before coming together as a group to discuss what we had reviewed. This was insightful into what it would be like to work in an assurance team at EY, and developed my skills of analysing reports critically and questioning the given information, as it was essential to highlight potential risks. Also, it developed my skills of problem solving and creative thinking as we had to come up with various controls to mitigate the risks. Finally, through the different information sessions and quizzes I learnt so much about EY and broadened my commercial acumen.

I greatly enjoyed the Business Academy because it provided me with invaluable insight into the functions of EY, as well as hands-on experience of working on an audit. The opportunity to learn about EY from different professionals in the field was beneficial in understanding that each employee is a valued member of the company and plays a role in bringing success to EY. Additionally, I appreciate that it was not solely business-focused, as there were also sessions on building your personal brand, how to enhance your writing and presentation styles, and how to tackle imposter syndrome, which were just as useful.

The three days were very well-organised and we were able to keep on track with the agenda with almost perfect timing. I appreciate that we were given comfort breaks, as well as hour-long lunch breaks, which helped us maintain our productivity throughout the day. The presentations were very well set out and the student recruitment officers always elaborated further and took care to answer any questions we had. Despite the original work experience programmed being shortened from five into three days, the team still managed to deliver a variety of sessions so that we still had just as useful of an experience.

The friendly culture at EY is one of the key things which was most highlighted throughout the programme, and having attended the Business Academy and spoken to various employees at EY, I must say that's true. The company culture is what sets apart EY from so many other firms. I am confident that if I was to work at EY, I would be fully supported not only with any issues, but also with progressing my career further. There is a great emphasis on diversity, so fitting in should not be a problem, and everyone has strong values that they carry through to their work.

The work experience, without a doubt, played a big role in my decision of what I would pursue in the future. I can now confidently say that I will be applying to EY's Business Apprenticeship, as the chance to work on a case study confirmed to me that I would be doing what I enjoy. Even if you may be unsure of whether the field of finance is right for you, it's critical to go in with an open mind.

We were paid an hourly rate for our three days at EY, which is very generous of the company considering it was a virtual experience. Originally we were going to be working on real client projects, so we were going to be paid for our input, but unfortunately we didn't get this chance due to the pandemic and having to work remotely. This just demonstrates how much EY cares for its employees, even those who are only potential candidates.

There were many opportunities for us to network with a variety of employees throughout the organisation, from apprentices to partners. There was a panel session with apprentices and graduates, in which we had the chance to ask them all of our questions, and this was very useful in demystifying the ins and outs of the apprenticeship programme. A key point is that everyone had different paths that led them to EY, proving the diversity of their employees. Overall, everyone was very friendly and excited to share their experiences with us in a way that we could learn from them and take on board their advice. We were also encouraged to connect with them on LinkedIn and continue building our network.

Yes

I would highly recommend EY to a friend, not only because it is a Big Four firm, but also because of the company culture, which is what sets them apart from the rest of the Big Four. It is an environment that fosters both professional and personal growth, with high calibre employees that are always willing to support each other and reach the best results for their clients. I would relish the opportunity to work at EY, so I would without a doubt recommend it to anyone looking to flourish in this industry.

The most important tip is to prepare as much as possible, by doing practise numerical reasoning tests, analysing example case studies, and thinking about real life examples where you have developed your skills. I would encourage you to read around and learn not only about EY as a firm but more specifically your chosen service line, as this will enable you to demonstrate your motivations for joining the firm, which is something they put a key focus on in the interview process. Similarly, be aware of current affairs, such as reading the Financial Times or the Economist, to build your business acumen. If you can show how you in particular will play a positive role in EY's mission of 'building a better working world' through your own unique experiences, it will give you a great springboard.