Intern/Trainee (Associate 2) Review

On a day-to-day basis I worked looking at draft publications, testing the contents and providing clear, concise feedback to the client. I would bring up areas requiring rectification and improvement and refer any questions or concerns I may have to senior team members. I would also look at and test source spreadsheets from internal systems.

I have developed a high level of professional skepticism, ensuring that I was comfortable with all content before agreeing to sign off on publications. I have significant developed my skills with excel and google sheets as well as with PwC custom programmes which greatly improve work quality and efficiency. PwC provide a number of internal training courses to improve industry specific knowledge and understanding of rules and regulations.

I have worked with highly knowledge dedicated teams, who are an excellent source of information and are always there to support other team members. The work is hard and long hours are very common, however the work has been consistently interesting and challenging. The role is in line with my expectations, but go in expecting it to busy and mentally challenging.

The programme is very well organised and structured, it is done in partnership between PwC and the University of Reading. All teaching is done at the University of Reading and all practical experience takes place at PwC creating a blended approach. PwC are fully informed of our modules at university and are hence able to support us based on our taught areas.

There is a high level of support from PwC. The managers I have worked with are always looking out for you and the team, checking in on progress and for any issues on a daily basis. Each employee is assigned a career coach who is your go-to HR individual, if you have any concerns they are to be brought up with them. For any more serious concerns or more role specific queries these can be brought up with the PwC-University of Ready liaison. PwC provide us with free private healthcare which provides easy access to both mental and physical support.

All qualifications work is covered at the University of Reading, PwC provide the practical element, contributing to the necessary hours needed for the qualification, but no exam work is undertaken there. At the University of Reading we have a very structured set of modules with dedicated lectures and administrative staff who ensure everyone is fully supported and if anyone needs additional support it is available.

The qualification has helped me pick up an excellent understanding of the basis of the work I perform and the expectations upon someone in my position. However, I worked in a specific areas at PwC which themselves were not covered directly by any of the qualifications undertaken at the University of Reading though a foundational understanding was provided.

There are normally extra-curricular activities that individuals are able to get involved with such are quizzes, monthly outings and a Christmas pantomime. However, due to Covid-19 the majority of these events were cancelled, though a large majority of teams hold weekly quizzes to encourage employee social interaction, these allow for team members to get to know each other on a more personal level.

Yes

PwC is an immensely interesting employer providing a wide range of experiences and consistently interesting and challenging work. The role I was in required me to thoroughly test a large number of publication which I was able to see being published and how what I had tested impacted upon share prices. No one day is the same as the other, we are required to test a wide number of areas, this ensures that you see a number of different areas and will enable you to receive a wide understanding of the client you are working on.

In order to join this programme you need to apply to join the 'Accounting and Business' programme on UCAS. Once this happens you will be invited to complete an additional application form discussing why you want to join the programme; if successful you will be invited to attend an application day involving group assessments and interviews. If you are successful an offer will be made, the offer is for both the university degree and the work undertaken at PwC. Before every placement at PwC there is a 1-week training week to go over the programmes you will use and get you up to speed with any changes from your previous placement. The experience is incredibly interesting and stimulating, however, you should expect it to be hard work at both PwC and at university, the intention of the programme is to slingshot individuals ahead in terms of experience and qualifications so you can become management level faster.