Audit Trainee Review

My day-to-day role generally involves going to a client site in order to aid in the execution work for the audit of a particular client. This involves regular interaction with the client, in order to obtain the information required to perform the review. I am given responsibilities on each job that I work on, being allocated certain sections which I am required to complete by the end of the week. It is then my responsibility to keep an updated outstanding list and follow up on these items. Other clients, such as service charge, are more office based, although statutory clients generally make up the majority of my day-to-day work.

Before I started at BDO I had never touched accounting before, having never studied any related topics (accounting, business, economics) at school. After 18 months working at BDO it is quite scary how far my knowledge has progressed, although I know it will still develop a lot more before I finish my qualification in 2018. Obviously I learn new knowledge through sitting my CFAB / ACA exams, but the key skills that I have developed have come through the exposure to the accounting sector, and working with clients from day one. This means that I have learnt skills such as communication and professionalism, as well as skills required to physically complete the work required.

BDO has a large number of trainees, meaning that there are many young people who I can relate to / that have been in the position that I have been in. I believe that having a large intake of other people my age has really helped in bridging the gap between full time employment and leaving sixth form. It also means that there is a social scene, which I was conscious that I may miss out on having chosen not to go to university. In some ways it is difficult in that it is quite pressured to have come straight from school in to a full-time professional job, especially when the vast majority of my friends went of to university. It is, however, a choice that I am glad that I made, given that the skills I have learnt (and the money I have saved!) will put me in a much better position down the line.

I feel valued by BDO - award schemes are conducted which means if you perform work above your expected level, you receive an award in return.

The programme is well structured, which means I have clears goals of when my exams are, when I qualify etc.

My training provider, BPP, provide assistance in completing the assignments required in order to pass the CFAB apprenticeship modules. This means having meetings to monitor progress etc.

When joining BDO we are allocated a manager, meaning that we always have a 'point of call' for any issues that we may have. BDO are also really supportive in aiding career development, for example if you want to specialise in a certain type of client, there re opportunities to do so.

As a school leaver I still live at home, meaning that in general my living costs are lower. Travel costs are a large cost for me, having to travel c. 80 miles each day, however this balances with my lower living costs. The salary package is also reflective of your current 'grade' in work, meaning that when you reach graduate level your salary increases accordingly.

There are quite a few social opportunities outside of work.

Yes

I like the 'youthful' culture at BDO, meaning that it is a great company to work for as a stepping stone from school - I personally wouldn't like to work for a bigger company where I am one of many and may not get the recognition, or conversely a smaller company where there are limited opportunities or social scene. BDO as a medium firm is a perfect fit!

I would advise to do your research before joining - BDO are ultimately looking to employee students who fit a number of character traits in order to be successful in the job. I would research the values of BDO, and tailor any interview responses to show an example of how you fit this mould.