Flying Start Degree program - FS1 Reading Review

by PwC

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

6.8/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

My role was junior auditor, I am a first year so I am assigned to various clients and given basic audit tasks to complete in order to help the team. A day to day would be team meetings, Completing evidence gathering activities, lunch and then sometimes team fun to build a sense of team work.

5/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Yes I have. I have become more comfortable with the PwC software used and having known nothing at the beginning, I think ive grasped the basics of this well. Also my excel skills have developed as I have picked off small skills used by colleagues and I am now more competant at using formulas.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

Average. At times I was lucky enough to have a team who would connect to me and treat me as a valued member of the team. However, I felt like in some teams and to some colleagues you are treated differently and it sometimes feels as youre disregarded which can be isolating.

4/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Average again. I was unbooked for a long part of my placement and the reallocation of my work varied in speed massively. Some weeks I would email resourscing and not get assigned a client for the whole week and others I would be reassigned within the same day. It depends.

6/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Enough but not an overwhelming amount.

6/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

Doesnt apply.

9/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

Yes it does. My university modules I complete helped me pre prepare myself for the role and I noticed time and time again I would hear things about audit that I remembered from class. Also the basics of accoutning that you are taught in early years of the course still apply.

9/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

yeah there are socials but unfortunately I am not free friday evenings so couldnt attend them. However, there arent many socials that are not based around going to a bar and due to the short nature of our placement it is hard to integrate into a sports team as the duration is only 3 months.

8/10

9a. Would you recommend PwC to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

Its a perfect stepping stone into the business directly from college to employment. Although I have felt isolated and have not enjoyed all the work this placement, the course is one that is not replicated by many other employers in the accounting world and should be considered if a career in audit is right for you.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?

Prepare abit about the company and know your stuff. Do your best, speak confidently when spoken too and back your own ability. Also in the final stage, realise you are not in competition for spaces and work with your assigned team, as in my assessment day my whole group got on the program.