Senior Associate Review

I am a senior associate in the audit department. This means, on a day to day basis, I run the client engagements and organize the team. I coach and teach the more junior staff on the teams and perform detailed reviews of their work. I report directly to managers and senior managers.

I have developed many business skills, including communication, problem solving and professionalism. I have also developed my coaching skills and learned how to adapt my teaching and coaching to suit different individuals and they way in which they learn. I have grown in confidence during my time as a an apprentice.

I enjoy my programme very much. My colleagues are very understanding of the college commitments that come with my apprenticeship and support me as much as I can. I have learnt so much during my time which has added to my enjoyment. I have had the opportunity to work on many different teams, which keeps the day to day exciting and enjoyable.

The programme is very well organised. We often know our college dates months in advance which allows us to schedule both work commitments and home commitments. There is clear structure on when we should be in college and when we are working and this is helpful to know in advance.

I receive good support from my employer. There is a dedicated apprenticeship team and each apprentice is allocated an apprenticeship coach. They are there to answer any questions we have on the programme as well as help us with any other matters we may face as apprentices. My colleagues and teams are also supportive of the college commitments and are understanding of when I need to take time away from work to focus on my qualifications.

The training providers gives very good support throughout our qualifications. They ensure we have all the materials for our courses well in advance of the start date. The teachers are very approachable and always available to answer any questions that we have. They have many online resources available to use as well.

The qualifications helps to perform better in my role as it has broadened my technical knowledge. It has given me knowledge of a wide range of accounting areas. I am able to apply this knowledge in my day to day role and as a result, the work I produce is of a higher quality.

There are many networks available at EY. These include sporting activities, as well as networks for people of different cultures and backgrounds. There are also networks for different hobbies. Teams regularly have social events and there are a number of department wide social events throughout the year. There are also opportunities to volunteer for the EY charities.

Yes

The quality of training received from EY has been excellent. There are many opportunities available to everyone within EY, both during your training programme and once you are qualified. Everyone I have worked with has been friendly, helpful and supportive. There are dedicated teams in place to support you on your apprenticeship.

I would encourage everyone to research exactly what the programme has to offer and ensure that is the right fit for them. If possible, I would try to contact someone who has or is an apprentice at the minute and ask them about their experiences and learn from them. It is really important to be yourself during the application and interview process. Be confident.