Associate Accountant Review

I work in a team to look at financial statements, examine accounts and perform testing on these accounts, the testing involves sampling things like invoices as well as more judgemental areas looking at year on year movements in account balances etc. We then converse with the client, usually a large business about this testing

New skills - I have definitely learnt new skills, mainly in analytical reviews and questioning mindset as is required of an accountant. Developed skills - my people skills have definitely improved, from meeting colleagues at work socials to 1 on 1 calls with clients to discuss an issue with work I have learnt a lot of new people skills. This has aided me both in work and my personal life

There are 3 main parts to my programme contributing to enjoyment - People - the people I work with on a daily basis are all great, I have not worked with anyone I have actively disliked and the majority I consider friends outside of work. 10/10 The work - the work can be tough at times but on the whole is manageable 7/10 The degree - you sit roughly 4 exams a year, these can be challenging and studying after work is very tedious 5/10

The programme is more free flowing for the first 5 exams which can be booked at your own pace and have a lot of freedom, especially some exams which are self taught. The rest of the exams are much more structured, requiring more tutoring and have to be sat on certain days.

My employer provides relatively good support, giving occasional study days, and managers are normally very understanding with you not working late if you have an exam coming up. However there can sometimes be communication mix ups between the employer and tuition provider although infrequent. My employer could also give more revision days but gives only the minimum required.

Kaplan are the training provider and they are really good at offering support, the tutors are very knowledgable, they provide their email for contact on any questions, they also have contact a tutor options where any Tutor can respond to query, responding in less than 4 hours as long as this is within reasonable hours 8am to 8pm roughly

The first 5 exams I sat I felt were relatively unrelated and did not feel these benefited me in my role, however I recently started learning the content for the next 2 exams and feel these are much more relevant, learning information I have heard managers talk about but I have never understood and am looking forward to learning more content like this

I work for Ernst and Young and there are many extra-curricular events to get involved in, especially post covid 19, including bowling, pizza, litter picks, mountain walks, annual drinks etc. there is also sports teams, I am part of the football team and we play for fun once a week and part of a corporate league once a week which is great

Yes

Ernst and Young is a great opportunity to get yourself a very useful degree, experience in a big 4 accounting firm and make some great friends and connections on the way. It is not easy and you have to work hard to please managers but it is worth it in the end!

EY are very keen on being yourself, so absolutely be yourself and show your personality in any interviews you may have, they’re not only interested in you being competent at the work but are interested in you being a good fit for the team! Also do your research on EY and have good bits of information you can drop in during any interview to show this