Audit Assistant Review

Receiving listings for balances in the clients accounts. Sampling items from these listings to test, in order to give comfort over audit assertions for this balance. Involves alot of communication with audit team and client. Also involves being professionally sceptical, and questioning what the client has provided. Quite independant which is good.

I have definitely developed my communication skills and teamworking skills, which has made it easier to delegate work, and communicate with the client. I have also taken part in several excel courses in order to learn new excel skills such as vlookups, pivot tables and sumifs. I have also generally learnt accounting principles through attending college courses

Overall, i would definitely say that i am enjoying my apprenticeship programme. The team work element is especially rewarding, and as the audit department is so big you are always meeting new people and everyone is very nice. Also, meeting clients is very enjoyable, and going to new places is good.

Very well organised, we each have our own calendar which shows when we are going to college and taking exams month in advance. We always have a couple of weeks after sitting the course before doing exams to ensure time for revision. Regular catchup meetings with BPP to see how we are progressing

I receive alot of support from my employer. They provide sufficient study time and revision time. If we work late on jobs, we are able to reclaim the time as toil in order to be used around the time we have exams, so we can take days off for additional time to revise.

We receive sufficient support from the training provider. They organise regular phone calls with students in order to talk through how were are getting on at work, how we are getting on with the course and exams, and plan what we need to do in the 2 months before the next catch-up call.

In order to audit, it is vital that you understand basic accounting principles. Therefore, the AAT accounting qualification is very helpful because it allows me to understand what the client has done, and whether it is correct. As i pass more exams, i know that i will be able to perform better in my role.

There are regular social events put on by employer, for example bowling, darts or cocktail masterclasses. There are also big annual social events such as Christmas party, "Away" day, Sports day and rounders which are very good. There is always the option to go out after work, as everyone is very sociable at the firm.

Yes

I think RSM is a great company to work for, the employees are all very friendly, from new joiners to partners, everyone is up for a chat. The social events are always very fun and happen regularly. You are always meeting new people, whether it be RSM employees or clients. There is also great scope for personal development through the training they offer.

I would say that it is important to go in with an open mind. I did not know what audit was before i started working for RSM, but RSM teach that anyway. I would also really encourage people joining rsm to take part in as many social events as possible, as it is a great opportunity to meet people, and create rapport with people before you work with them