Flying Start Associate Review

by PwC

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

6.8/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Job title: Audit associate/Flying Start associate day-to-day on placement: Gathering evidence for the audit through testing invoices, balances etc. day-to-day at univeristy: Attend lectures, revise and network.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Currently in the process of pasing all my exams to be 12/15 exam exempt for the ACA qualifications (the last 3 will be completed when I join full time post university). I will also be gaining a degree in Accounting and Business (BA) from reading University.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

The work is engaging and challenging. It can become monotonous and somewhat repetitive but that is to be expected in audit. Teams vary each audit which allows you to build a wide network. The company culture is very much to push you to your limits ensuring you meet high expectations.

6/10

4. How valued do you feel by PwC?

There are a number of internal feedback routes through your people manager, course manager and various levels of staff within the business. Personally, I feel the recognition is adequate for the work being put in as very little responsibilty is given to such junior members of the audit team.

7/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The programme is very well organised and structured with a great deal fo training, support, study time and work load.

9/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

I recieve a great deal of support from my tutor at university as well as from those in PwC. The attitude is always to help in anyway that is feasably (espeically economically) possible.

6/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Being so junior, I require a great deal of help completing tasks which is always freely given.

7/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

The salary at such a junior level does not compare wel to that of others who either leave univerity to join Big firms or have been working for a number of years by this stage in the their careers.

4/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

There are lots of opportunities to gain skills through volunteering and clubs/events. However, the work load is quite heavy so I find little time is avaiblible to partake in such activities.

4/10

9. Would you recommend PwC to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

It is a company with a top name and looks fantastic on your C.V. PwC provides a great career with room for progression and a fantastic reward if you stick it out to end (partner's salary!)

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?

It is a very competitive aplication process which becomes all the more difficult if you apply for a graduate training contract. I would suggets applying for the sponsored university schemes/school leavers schemes as it is far easier to stand out from the crowd at aged 18 when few people have signifcant business skills/experience.