Associate Review

I would be part of the audit team in which we validate that accounts provided by the client represent their business in a true and fair light. I would help by testing transactions and also many different areas of the financial statements. I would directly communicate with the client to get updates and new information that I needed to request for my testing. Then I would document and produce this information in an excel file for my seniors to review. However, this placement I was working from home and I feel like this separation from the team made me enjoy the placement less than last year.

I have developed my existing skills of client communications since I was often emailing the client for correspondence. I also learnt how to use the software Alteryx which helps to improve efficiency with the audit since you can produce reusable workflows. Also I have improved my understanding of Insurance companies since these are the companies that I have been auditing. This meant that there were lots of areas of these companies financial statements that I wasn't familiar with which I learnt on this placement.

I really enjoy my programme since I think that PwC is a great place to work and the people are really fun to work alongside. Another reason I enjoy my programme is the ability to get a university experience alongside a work experience. This enables me to have fun at university whilst also learning the practical application of accounting. The combination of this is what I enjoy most about the programme since I can get the best of both worlds.

My programme is well structured, I receive training before each placement and receive the necessary support as well through university course convenors and also through career coach's at work. Sometimes it is hard to study whilst also working but it is good for teaching me in future. I like that I am given tasks which are meaningful and actually help the team since sometimes I think it is easy for teams to give interns simple and boring tasks.

I receive good support from PwC since I am assigned a Career Coach for whatever queries I may have. This is really helpful and enables me to feel like I can always ask questions when I am unsure about anything. Furthermore, all the teams that I have worked on are happy to answer any questions and provide feedback, this is a form of support that always make you feel welcome and allows you to feel included.

My tutors at university are always happy to answer any questions that I have and respond to these either in the lecture of by email if I send the question through there. We have a very good module convenor who is very nice, friendly and approachable and certainly knows her stuff about the subjects we study. This means that she can answer almost all the questions we raise and she also makes the course easier for us through this

By learning some aspects of accounting such as debits and credits and financial statements, these skills have been easy to transfer directly over into the job. However, there is a lot of practical skills which have to be learnt on the job can't be taught in the classroom. It is these skills that make it hard for the training providers to fully prepare you for the role at hand. There are also some modules that we have learnt because we have to which haven't been directly transferable on the job.

Whilst this year there have not really been any extra curricular activities due to working from home, there has still been some online events which were open to attend and an online Christmas Party. However, from the first placement that I did last year in which we were in the office then I know that there is normally good extra curricular activities to take part in such as football, social group meeting events, christmas parties, etc.

Yes

I enjoy the ethos and culture that is provided at PwC, it is a nice place to work where everyone is friendly and the average age of workers are actually quite young which makes you feel included in the audit team. Also, there is lots of opportunities that are provided by PwC which you can take. Furthermore, they provide flexible working which means that you can do the hours whenever suits you best, as long as it works with your team.

To be friendly and enjoy the application and interview process since these will become your friends at university and on the job. When working it is easy to think you managers and in charge's are not wanting to hear from you, but always ask questions and talk you your managers since they will enjoy and appreciate your involvement. They have always been friendly in my experience and you will show off yourself by putting forward your ideas.