Audit Associate Review

Over the placement your role varies. In the first two you are in charge of specific areas on the audit file, where you are required to pick samples and perform testing. This involves speaking to the client to gain an understanding of your areas and how it works, as it is often very different at each client. In your final placement you may be in-charging jobs, where you will be the most senior member of the team on site most days. Your role is to delegate work and provide coaching to other team members, ensuring the work is organised and is completed on a timely basis.

I have learnt many new skills over the course, including the qualifications we have received from the exams taken in years 1-3. This involves accounting and tax, two areas I had not learnt about before. You also learn professional skills, how to be sceptical and how to adapt your personality based upon the situation.

The programme is hard work, however at the end you are rewarded with a fantastic opportunity and a lot of experience to enhance your CV. You get to work with a range of people, often in a range of locations across the UK or abroad. The company is well known and has a good reputation in the accounting world. The course has met my expectations and I am now very grateful for the opportunities that have arisen because of it.

In many cases, long hours are expected over your placement. In most situations managers will show their appreciation to you and will thank you for your hard work during and at the end of a client. Internally, rewards are available if you are nominated by a colleague.

The support you get on the course is second to none in comparison to many other degree programmes, as I found through discussions with my friends. All tutors are available and willing to help you and there are a lot of practice questions available for exams. The modules are organised well and the work and difficulty progresses at each level.

Within the university there are many tutots that are always willing to help with any questions you have, whether in regards to the work or personal problems.

You are assigned a people manager at the start, but you also have tutors from the university and a key contact within PwC for the course that is always available if you have any difficulties.

The salary is very good and has made my university experience a lot easier in regards to money worries. After the first year, I have not struggled financially which took a great strain off myself. The expenses are sufficient to cover daily costs such as travel.

The company provides opportunities to get involved in social group activities and also has sports teams that you can be involved in. There are also areas inside PwC that you can volunteer for. They do a lot of work in the community, such as the PwC pantomime, which you can be involved in if you wish.

Yes

It has a good reputation, provides good rewards and is a secure job. Every day is different and you are constantly working with new people and teams, which makes the job more interesting.

Be confident in your ability. Make sure you work well as a team and listen to other peoples ideas, as well as coming forward with your own. Don't be afraid to suggest something, even if you think it may be wrong. Talk about things that you enjoy outside of work, as PwC want rounded people and social/communication skills are key.