Flying Start Degree programme -Flying Start 3 in Manchester Review

I was working as an associate 2 in the assurance department. I would be booked to clients and as part of a team, I would perform tests on the client's financial statements to ensure they are a true and fair representation of the client's financial position and performance. I would often have team meetings everyday to discuss the progress of the audit and have calls with the client to discuss any further queries. I was often in charge of my own work flow as an associate 2, and had a responsibility to ensure it was finished by the end of my booking for the client.

I have developed many skills on my placements, such as team work, communication, active listening and professional scepticism. As you are working in a team everyday and having to effectively communicate with them, all my skills listed above were easy to develop. PwC also provided many internal and external training courses that helped me develop my ethics skills, which I could apply to realistic audit situations that could occur.

I have really enjoyed my time on this programme. With there being a really good team ethic on jobs, I have found it easy to meet new people and create a good relationship with them. PwC also likes to stress a good work/life balance and often schedules in socials, such as at christmas and the end of the accounting busy season, which allows people to have fun and mix in a non-work environment. PwC has met all my expectations and I really like that it has a mix of people from all different ages working there!

The programme is structured well. Before starting my placements, we receive one or two weeks of training to ensure we are back to speed with audit knowledge and PwC digital tools. We also usually have one or two days of admin after the training to settle ourselves into the company and no be thrown straight into doing work for a client. Additionally, as our programme is split into 3 4 month placements at PwC, it allows us to have sufficient time at university to study for the ICAEW exams.

There is plenty of different support provided at PwC. I felt like on my jobs, any team member above me - such as the senior associates, managers and senior managers - gave me a lot of support when I needed it. I was also assigned a career coach who was an ex-flying start, who was able to answer any of my questions about the programme and answer any questions which I didn't feel comfortable asking a team member. PwC also have flying start champions who are a good point of contact for us flying starts and organise social events to allow all flying starts to meet and socialise.

From my tutor at the university of nottingham, I wasn't provided with much support at all. I was barely contacted by them to arrange catch up calls, however I didn't often need any support. I believe if I was to contact them for support, they would have been easily accessible and provided me with what I needed. But overall, I would say my tutors attitude towards supporting me was poor, as they barely checked up on me.

I have found that especially during this last placement, some of the exams - such as financial accounting and reporting, and audit and assurance - have significantly helped me during audit work as they have helped me understand concepts better and explanations provided by the client. It has also allowed me to explain issues and ask queries to the client in more detail and with more confidence.

PwC hold many social events throughout the week which can allow you to meet new people. They also hold around 3 big social events throughout the year which are organised by the social committee. There is a 'curious coffee' initiative - allowing employees from PwC from all areas and grades to meet and network with each other.

Yes

I would 100% recommend PwC to a friend. I think PwC is a very forward-thinking, modern company which is moving away from the traditional working environment, with initiatives such as summer working hours, casual office dress code and flexibility. The company has many people of different ages and from different cultural backgrounds working there, so it allows you to meet such a range of amazing people.

I would recommend going through PwC as part of the flying start programme because the application process is less rigorous than as a graduate and it it accelerates you to becoming chartered within one year of joining the firm full time once you graduate from the course. I would recommend throwing yourself into any opportunity that PwC provides, even if it is out of your comfort zone. Each time I have done that, I have met many new people to network with and had a lot of fun!