Audit associate Review

My role was working on various different clients in audit and this enabled me to pick up new experiences and skills, building on knowledge I gained from my last placement. I worked on various different elements of accounting and day to day jobs included checking accounts tie through to helping prepare accounts. Therefore I had a large variety of experience and work which was very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed me placement with PWC and would recommend it.

Yes I have learnt a lot of new skills as I have been given more trust and responsibility compared to my prior placement, and therefore having more responsibility means that you pay more attention to the work you are doing, all of which helps enhance concentration and in turn develop my skills further. I also learnt how to coach new joiners and therefore this is a new skill I developed which was very good to learn

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with PwC as they are a very good company, and always ensure that the work they give us is challenging but also ensuring that they provide the necessary coaching and support, this helped academically challenge me and it pushed me out of my comfort zone, something I feel is very important to ensure the development and growth within the workplace. Therefore I would encourage anyone thinking about it to sign up and do the PWC programmes.

The structure of the flying start degree is very good as they ensure that we have a substantial amount of time at university, whilst also gaining lots of practical work experience, something which is fundamental to help develop new skillls. Also, given that most of our lives are spent in the workplace, being able to start the process of becoming a chartered accountant earlier and fast track yourself is a very good opportunity to take.

Support from University and PWC is very good, they always ensue that we are never alone and should we need any support we can easily get access to it. At University we have updates from our university lecturers to ensure that we are getting on ok whilst on placement. Whilst at PWC we have common check ups with our careers coaches who ensure that we are always ok and if we need and additional support we can get it.

We do the majority of our exams at university therefore receive the support of the uni lectureres thtoughout the 4 year course. This helps ensure that we are always ok and should we need any support they are on hand to give it. The ICAEW provide us with the study materials to ensure that we can complete the studies and then the content is delivered by the university lecturers therefore it is thorough.

The qualification is essential to performing the work. I am critical of the way the university have dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and there was a severe lack of support in this area. Something I believe the university will be aware of and it is something they need to take on board and amend quickly. Therefore the ICAEW as the training provider give us the study materials and without the content we wouldn't be able to do placement to a good level of understanding.

This placement there has been minimal if any social activities due to the corona virus pandemic but in normal circumstances there is usually a social once a month and it is a good way of getting to meet everyone at work and create good relationships and bond with the staff. The socials are fun and when life returns to normal they are something which I would encourage everyone to attend as they help settle you into the firm.

Yes

I would recommend PWC to a friend because they are a very good company with a good work ethic and they help personally develop you. I have found the personal investment from the firm into my future prospects apparent and therefore I am grateful for they opportunities they have given me. Anyone thinking of getting into accountancy should definitely consider PWC as they have a good reputation and they take good care of their staff.

I would say to look at forums on how the assessment centres and interviews play out, read up about pwc and their competencies as much as possible as they are central to the application process. I would try and find real life examples to each of the competencies which pwc want their staff to demonstrate as this is hugely beneficial to the application process. Other advice would be to keep up to date with the news on financial matters.