Audit Trainee Review

Working as part of an audit team to provide assurance over company financial statements. I work in the financial services department, in particular in the asset management and capital markets sector. We work with a range of clients, and test their accounts to ensure that what they state in their financial statements is reasonable.

I have had the chance to hugely develop a number of skills - thanks to the effective development and progression support programmes that BDO has in place. In particular, I feel very competent using excel, communicating with team members and clients, managing my own time and also have developed my knowledge of a range of businesses and have a much better idea of how the financial services sector operates.

I really enjoy the programme. There have been challenges, and at times I have been under a lot of pressure, but it is manageable and I think a really good opportunity to develop and push myself. The people I work with are really helpful and friendly which has given me a great networking opportunity.

I believe, compared to another programme (which was in a different industry and role - for my placement) that the BDO graduate programme is well organised. They provide us with everything we need to know and support us through it with training, regular catch ups and fund the exams (part of the ACA qualification).

We receive plenty of support. There are regular meetings, updates and social events that keep us all connected (especially at the moment - while we are working from home). There are different departments that are responsible for different elements of support - which I think is good. Also, they provide additional means of support - through healthcare discounts, subscriptions, and other great benefits.

We receive sufficient support. There are allocated study leave days for each exam we have to take - to give us enough time to prepare. They also fund all the materials we need as well as external tutoring (with BPP). I have found it to be very useful - especially how quickly they adapted to working from home.

Overall - very well. The training and teaching we have from BPP has provided me with the basis of accounting knowledge, which I apply every day to the work I do. I am about half way through the qualification and feel I have learned as much as I did the whole time I was at university.

Yes - there are a number of extra curricular activities. Sports include hockey teams and football teams (and possibly more), there are also regular social events - over the last year these have been virtual. There have been networking events, however the last year (2020 - covid) has been difficult for these to take place.

Yes

I believe they are a really supportive firm. They provide loads of opportunities for development, they give us reasonable amounts of responsibility and exposure to different industries and I think it is a great place to start a career. Also - the work environment/culture, from what I understand, is more pleasant than some of its competitors.

To consider what department you want to work in, to do sufficient preparation for the assessment centres / interviews. Also - look to see if there are any upcoming insight days on which you can ask questions and get a better idea of what you are applying for. Also - be prepared to work hard and commit 3 years to exams and learning (as well as working).