Flying Start Degree programme - FS1 - More London office Review

My role involves regular contact with the person who is coaching me and with the team I am working with. It mainly involved activities such as tie outs, casting, reviewing minutes and other evidence gathering activities regarding payroll and cash flow for example. It involves using excel on a regular basis so document those activities.

I have learnt how to use PWC systems such as Aura and connect, which involves communication with the client. I have learnt to use excel more confidently, including using the compare tool to make my work more efficient and formulas such as VLOOKUP to achieve the same objective of efficiency. I have developed my communication and team working skills also.

The university part of my programme is an interesting blend of technical learning and more general business learning, this provides a wealth of learning opportunity and is versatile which keeps it more interesting. The placement part is very helpful for working in a professional environment in the future and perfectly blends with the learning done at university.

The programme is very well organised particularly with the impact of the pandemic, learning as adapted well to the issues presented by the pandemic and also the placement with lectures online to allow flexibility and learning moving online when it was appropriate. Placement also involved working from home and in the office allowing flexibility also.

There is a lot of support available online and provided to us the start of the placement where there are learning sessions. Here we can ask any questions we have if we have not already been provided with the answer. Then throughout the placement we had our career coaches who provided support whenever we needed it,

The university and ICAEW provide clear guidance as to what is expected of us. This is clear and communicated to us usually by our lecturers. The lecturers and university provide support, not only by providing quality teaching but also helping with any other issues we may have outside of university work specifically.

The training provider allows me to understand the concepts of accounting which I can apply on my placement. It provides me with greater general business knowledge which I can use when understanding the entity and its environment. It also provides me with team working skills which I can carry through to my work.

There are social events organised, such as debriefs which involve awards and a meal. There is also a flying start leavers meal and other social events organized and accessible to everyone. I believe there are sports teams or sports opportunities although this was not clear or well communicated to myself.

Yes

Friendly community and great support system. Good coaching and helpful managers, where tasks are well explained and questions or queries answered with enthusiasm and in a knowledgeably way. The knowledge gained about business and accounting is very useful and working in a team within a professional company with some big clients is some great experience gained.

If you want to eventually gain a wealth of knowledge about finance and the wider business environment then this is a great opportunity. I would encourage complete engagement in what the company has to offer including going into the office and communication/sharing ideas with your team to get the best out of the experience.