Flying Start Degree programme - FS1 Bristol Review

I am part of the audit team and therefore my day to day work would consist of auditing the clients at Bristol, this enrolls checking transactions are correct but then also checking all the accounting policies that the company employ. Some days however i could be on a stock count and therefore checking the inventory of the client by physical inspection, this was always enjoyable as it was a day where i met a new client and truly saw how they operated.

I have learnt how to carry out documentation and therefore i can be very useful in an audit team as all the different FSLIs i have teaching and experience of how to carry them out. The maths side i enjoyed doing and i learnt how to use Excel to its full advantage over the time on placement and this really does help when carrying out the audits. I learned also how to brief clients about on going work and how they can help us achieve our goal.

I really enjoy my programme and i like the balance between uni and actual work, the placement was really enjoyable and lets you see how the theory you learn at uni is brought into the actual everyday working job which is nice to see as it gives context to the theory. The only thing that wasn't nice was this year due to corona we had to teach ourselves the module we will be examined on rather then a 2 week crash course.

The programme is very well organised with everything for placement being set out very clearly and my laptop and phone arriving well in advance for the start of the work. The only negative is having to teach myself the uni content over the course of the placement however this is not normally how it is carried out so for the future years this will not be an issue. Both joining and leaving the PwC team was made so easy.

There is a lot of support inside PwC as there a lot of networks that can support you. My incharge and managers were both very supportive and were open to questions and queries the whole time and this really helped settle my nerves and let me know someone was always there if i had an issue. There was also meetings with the other current FS students and previous students which was really helpful as you realise everyone has the same issues.

ICAEW and my university teaching team do provide some support in the form of text books and lectures being posted online the only negative is the lack of in person teaching we have received but this is understandable due to corona. This in the future will be different and hopefully the support will be a lot better as this year it has been poor going into the first exam. The university are aware of the students view.

My qualification directly related to my role as I will become a qualified ACA Chartered Accountant and therefore all the work i carry out on audits will be covered by this qualification and therefore will be extremely helpful as the theory and methods are taught in the qualification. It also gives you ethics and standards that need to be upheld this is a big positive as it will keep my work to a high standard.

There are many but due to corona i could not participate this placement.

Yes

I really enjoy working here as there is quite a young age working and therefore everyone is really approachable and no one hangs their grade over you as some jobs this does happen. The work is enjoyable and therefore the day to day life at PwC is really enjoyable and i look forward to work the next day and i am very excited to start my placement again next year.

For PwC they are really looking for people over academics and therefore people who are not very approachable or can not work effectively in a team are not a good match however if you are sociable and enjoy meeting people PwC is perfect as it gives you this opportunity daily and is really fun to do. Therefore you do not have to be the most intelligent person at the interview just the person with social skills and can work well in a team and get the job done.