Digital Degree Apprentice Review

I work both in the Data Analytics side and Audit side. When in the Data Analytics side I work on cleansing financial data received from clients into a format that the audit teams can use - we use Alteryx quite heavily. When in Audit I am doing walkthroughs of accounts and generally filling out documentation needed for our audits and checking and double checking everything is correct.

I have learnt how to use Alteryx, which is a data analytics tool we use heavily to cleanse data we receive. I have also had brief training on accounting and how to audit a company. We are also given access to websites where we can do extra training (e.g. Udemy, Coursera). EY also has a program called EY Badges which are small certifications you can get in different areas to show your proficiency - this is all self led.

I'm finding that the Data Analytics side is really fun and exciting. I'm learning lots of new things and everyday has slightly different tasks and challenges. I get to actually build a little workflow that cleanses data and it's fairly complicated but satisfying. Audit is much more complicated and I feel a lot less prepared and confused but I haven't had much time in Audit yet and was told that even after a year in Audit I still would not know how to do everything

It's fairly well organised. There is a bit of confusion about how the time allocation works between Audit and Data Analytics and how much I actually know about each subject. Audit side don't really know much about the programme so I have to tell Audit managers for each engagement that I haven't had much experience. We have been having 1 day a week for university learning (which is self led) and also have 2x 2 day workshops for each module. During Jan-Mar though we have not had any university learning or exams as it's Audit busy season. We will do 2 modules at the same time in April instead.

My manager is extremely friendly and supportive, I feel I can go to him with any concerns I have whether about Data Analytics or Audit. We have a cohort lead who leads all the Digital Degree Apprentices that joined together who is just as supportive. Also have my buddy who is someone from further along in the apprenticeship who is assigned to help you and generally be a friend. Also have my counsellor who is there to help you with where you want to go with your career, from EY but is there to support you and what you want to do. EY also support you to find another job if you don't want to stay at EY.

QA (training provider) has been very good in providing support but mainly only when you ask for it. We only have 2x 2 day workshops per module with each day 7hrs - so 28hrs a module of actual face to face learning. There's about 4/5 modules a year one of which will be a portfolio which is meant to show your skills learnt and in practice at work throughout the year, this is self led. So you don't have too much time with teachers and have a lot of self led. But, you have monthly-ish review meetings with a skills coach - mine has been extremely supportive and has told me I can ask him about anything, I can get help with anything, has suggested ideas and allows me to get feedback on draft assignments multiple times before I submit them. Also QA has the ACE team, which are a team which run sessions on how to write essays, do maths, specific course recaps and you can book 1-to-1 sessions with them to go through anything you like e.g. can go through and get detailed feedback on draft assignments

I've only done one module so far which had been tacked on to my course as EY asked them to do this. This was because we have no accounting/audit knowledge so we have done a module on Financial Accounting for Non-Specialists from one of QAs business apprenticeships. This has been fairly useful for understanding the basics of audit but hasn't helped too much as our work is fairly specific and complicated. I think the upcoming modules which are about Data Modelling and SQL will be much more useful as it relates more with the Data Analytics side which will be my end role

There are lots of networks that you can join at EY. I know some like the Womens Network, Mindfullness/Mental Health, LGBTQ. They run weekly/fortnightly meetings and socials and a few bigger events throughout the year with opportunities to get involved and help out. I think there are sports teams but haven't looked into it much as I wasn't too interested but EY is such a big company that they seem to have eveything so I'm sure there are some. There is often a lot of internal EY socials for different groups e.g. one for your office, one for your department, one for the apprentices. Also sometimes these socials allow you to expense food to EY. Also have CSR and EY Ripples where there are lots of volunteering opportunities.

Yes

They're a big company, one of the big 4 accounting/audit companies in the world which means there are lots of opportunities/roles available and allow you to work on some really interesting clients (some you may know). Also seem like a very friendly inclusive company, even though they are big it still feels quite tight knit. Also they are very flexible with everything e.g. work times, doing extra training, breaks for mental health etc.

I think being enthusiastic is the biggest thing. Knowing at least a bit about EY before interviews and everything and just being friendly and happy to be there makes a really good impression. I think they get quite a few applicants so have many people with similar skills to pick from so they like people who are enthusiastic and excited about the work they're doing. Also one thing I didn't know before joining is the hours can be quite long, especially in Audit - can be around 50hrs but this is during busy season mainly (Jan-Mar) and not very often from my experience. Also if in Audit, even partially like me as a Digital Degree Apprentice, you will have to do stock takes, which are mandatory unless have a valid reason not to and will most likely be on a weekend around Christmas.