Associate Review

I work on audits of financial institutions and banks, which can include various tasks such as tests of controls, documentation and substantive work. There is a high level of interaction with the client, be it through emails or calls, and there is a lot of team work involved as well.

The key skills which are improved are those related to team work and communication, especially as the role progresses and it is possible to take on more responsibility for work and certain areas. The softer skills are often very useful, there is also development of technical skills such as accounting.

I do enjoy the programme to a large extent, however there are some drawbacks in that the work can sometimes be stressful if there are pressing deadlines to meet, and we are expected to work very long hours without any form of overtime pay or other compensation. This then leads to a worse impact on personal wellbeing.

The programme is very well organised as the apprenticeship scheme for school leavers has now been running for multiple years and therefore the support structure is well-established. It is also possible to interact with school leavers from other intake years through schemes such as buddies and the peer support group networks.

There is more support from the team and other apprentices than from EY as a whole; although there are apprenticeship coaches, the overall environment is focused more on work rather than the apprenticeship experience. I have found that for our qualifications, we often receive a lot less time than what would be needed to effectively study and revise for the exams.

The training provider is very good at providing support. I have contacted the tutors a few times and they are always willing to help answer any questions, although the response from the general mailbox can be slow. There is also a good selection of resources online which is helpful for additional review.

What I have learned in my qualification so far has been very useful, especially as it links closely with the day-to-day work I do. Gaining a greater technical understanding of the work I perform has helped me interact more effectively and efficiently with clients, which in turn helps me produce better results.

There is a large number of communities and events to get involved with, such as the Women's Network, the UK Arts Club and various sports teams such as netball and badminton. Professional networking events do also occur, however this is mostly in relation to the teams worked on than any wider events.

Yes

Obtaining the professional qualification and having a full-time professional job, especially when only starting as a school leaver, opens a great many doors and leads to a large number of opportunities very early on in the career. The early exposure to what such a job entails is also very beneficial.

I would advise others to be aware of what their role may entail, as different departments work on different sectors and the hours and type of work may vary. It is also important to consider whether such an apprenticeship is right for you, as the duration of the programme is very long.