Rating

7.2/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • I'm a trainee audit associate working at the EY London office. I began the programme in October 2012 and will complete it within 5 years. On a day to day basis, I work as part of different audit teams to complete Statutory audits of companies. This involves performing substantive and controls testing, as well as checking invoices and other tasks. Going into my second year, I will be expected to act as a mentor to newcomers joining the programme in 2013. I spend half of my time at the EY office (London Bridge) and the other half out at various client offices.

    8/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • As part of the programme, all School Leavers are training to become ICAEW qualified chartered accountants. We get time off for college before exam, but no study leave. We also have internal training courses to teach us audit basics and other skills like Excel.

    10/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I enjoy the job, it is hard work but you are working towards a great career. College can be stressful, and you have to apply yourself and forgo a social life for a couple of weeks in order to prepare for exams, but this is only twice/ three times a year. EY has a great culture and everyone wants you to do well and succeed.

    8/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by EY?
  • I think this depends on the individual. If you are willing to work hard and work late, then you will receive the due recognition from managers and peers. You will become more involved in the audits. On the other hand, you could choose to do the bare minimum, in which case you will probably find yourself being asked to complete the more mundane tasks.

    6/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • It would be beneficial if, on top of time given for college, we were given some study leave to prepare for exams. In not giving us time to prepare for exams, EY put us in an awkward situation where we feel like we need to leave early every day leading up to an exam in order to study. This makes you feel as though you are letting the rest of the team down, but the pressure put on passing exams is such that you don't really have a choice.

    5/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • We study with Kaplan (paid for by EY). The tutors are competent and approachable, and the material is very good. It is in everyone's best intentions for you to succeed so help is easy to come by should you need it.

    7/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • We have Counsellors who help manage our development and meet with us regularly to discuss how things are going/any concerns we have. In general, the whole company is very supportive

    9/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • Very well, not an issue in any way. I rent a room in a house share in London, live comfortably and have enough money to enjoy a good social life.

    9/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • You work long hours so there isn't much time for extra curricular activities.

    3/10

  • 9. Would you recommend EY to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • it is a good route to a good career


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to EY?
  • Be prepared to work hard and reap the rewards. Be friendly, have an opinion, and try to relax at the assessment day. Do your research.


Details

School Leaver Programme

Accounting, Finance

Central London & City

September 2013


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