Associate Review

PwC's Flying Start programme is a collaboration between Newcastle University Business School, PwC and the ICAEW. It involves 3 placements during 'Busy Season' (January to Easter) in the core assurance department of PwC's offices across the UK (mine is based in the Newcastle office). I work as an associate auditor and as such, I primarily travel to client sites to perform the year end audit. This involves communicating with the client and testing the various FSLIs across the financial statements. For example, you need to confirm debtor balances, verify that accruals are accurate and ensure that revenue has been correctly recorded. We work in 'audit teams' which are usually made up of other associates and senior associates who have gone down the regular graduate route. As we usually work at the client site, I spend much of the placement on 'away jobs' working in places such as London, Southampton and Scotland.

Communication is one of the most important skills you have to learn as you must talk to clients who can be fairly challenging at times. Before you go on placement, you are prepared with a one week training course which helps you to learn how to operate PwC's internal systems. At University, you sit the majority of the professional exams by either gaining an exemption through University exams or sit the actual ICAEW exams with teaching from the Business School. These exams are primarily based on accountancy and tax, however you must also sit some of the other professional elements - such as law and economics. In preparation for the first placement and your final exams, you also spend time externally at Kaplan.

Whilst at University, you are able to enjoy the typical student life. However admittedly, the workload is substantially more than ordinary courses. At PwC, I have had an excellent experience with the teams I have worked in and there is a real camaraderie within the organisation. Despite not being a full time employee, you are still invited to all of the social events showing the inclusiveness of the organisation. As you are on placement during 'Busy Season' you must be prepared to work long hours, but from my experience, this only has lasted for the first month of placement.

The managers I have worked with show a real appreciation for the work you have done. You receive regular feedback during your audits and from my experience, as long as you a good work ethic, your efforts will be respected by the rest of your team. The work you complete shows that PwC is very trusting of you whilst on placement. There are monthly recognition awards at PwC which you can win if someone nominates you for your strong efforts.

Due to the placement being during 'Busy Season', you are always fully utilised at work which will mean in the long-run, you will qualify as a Chartered Accountant earlier because of the chargeable working days that you must work that are required. Training before Christmas enables you to be prepared for some of the aspects of the placement before you arrive which is much more comforting when you start working. In my office, there is a strong Flying Start presence meaning that there is a clearly defined support system in place if you ever have any issues.

My personal tutor at University is in contact during my placement and has offered their availability if any problems arise. The University also provides preparation for you leaving placement and returning to study. Whilst I have not had any real issues whilst at PwC, I have not felt the need to seek support from the University, however I am reassured that if any problems did arise, my tutor or lecturers would endeavour to quickly help me.

Whilst on placement, you are assigned a People Manager and 'Buddy' who you can go to if you have any concerns. At the start of the placement you are given good training and will have a meeting with your People Manager to discuss what you want to achieve whilst at PwC. You also have a mid-placement review where you discuss your placement to date and this offers you the chance to discuss any issues you may have. Whilst you work on audits, you also have contact with managers on-site and from my experience, these are very approachable and will help you if you have any problems.

All travel costs to 'away jobs' are reimbursed meaning to you. In addition to this, if you are allocated an office away from Newcastle, PwC will house you in very good accommodation. The salary you are paid is comparable to a graduate job so your costs are always covered. In addition to this, if you have to work excessive hours, PwC will reimburse you for any travel or food costs that you may incur.

You are invited to all social events within the office as well as networking events with other corporations. PwC has a wide range of societies and sports events for you to take part in. There are charity events which you can get involved in such as helping in the 'One Firm' day in the spring. The only issues with these opportunities is that in some circumstances you have to work late or away from the office meaning that your ability to attend these events could be limited.

Yes

PwC provides you with excellent career opportunities. Whilst your initial salary is not fantastic, and overtime is not paid like other firms, you are rewarded for your hard work via the numerous social events that are held. PwC also has a fairly young employee base meaning that working at the firm can be enjoyable despite you still being a University student.

When applying, you must make sure you are outgoing and eager to learn and develop. In the assessment day you should try to be confident but you should also aim to portray areas where you can improve as this is often valued by PwC when you are at work. Before applying, I would advise that you try to complete some element of work experience, such as at a local accountancy firm, to show that you are committed to the profession that you are applying to be a part of.