Trainee Associate Review

I am currently training to become an Associate in the Tax department at PwC, working on a range of different projects. Alongside this, I am also working working to complete my ATT qualification. Day to day, my work includes attending client meetings, sending out client communications, and working on specific projects.

Sometimes I have found it challenging to balance the workload with the importance of studying outside my designated college days. However, I have overcome this to an extent, and developed the skill of workload management. I am making good progress with my work from a technical perspective too. I’ve enjoyed improving my technical skills, by attending both firmwide training sessions, and smaller ones.

I really enjoy working towards my qualification - I enjoy the balance between working on client work and also developing my tax technical skills at college. However, sometimes I struggle with the amount of tasks that our training provider requires us to complete because often these are required at quite short notice.

I would say that overall, it is quite organised, however sometimes things are put in last minute or communicated to us last minute, so sometimes it can feel less structured. Overall, college dates and deadlines are communicated to us with enough notice so that we can prepare accordingly and feel like we can manage our workload.

I would say that we receive a lot of support from senior members of our team, specifically when it comes to exam period, however, I do think that we would greatly benefit from a little more time allocated to study, specifically because there is a lot of self managed learning (in addition to just revision).

I would say that we receive less support from our training provider than I would expect, specifically when it comes to the amount of content that we are required to cover, and how little time there is set aside to cover it at college, resulting in a lot of self managed learning (in addition to just revision).

The written exams that form part of our qualification help me perform better in my day to day role because they expand both my specific technical knowledge, but also help me think about the wider picture. It also helps me work on my time management and organisation skills, which I can then apply daily.

Yes - at work there are lots of things we can get involved with, for example sports teams and committees for each faith. The thing I have enjoyed specifically are the social activities and events that are put on for the wider office and also for the team, as it helps build connections.

Yes

I would recommend PwC (and have recommended PwC!) to many friends who are looking at apprenticeships. Not only do I think it is a great alternative to university, but PwC specifically are a fantastic employer when it comes to both your personal and professional development. I also think that the opportunities for growth are huge.

The one biggest piece of advice that I'd give to others applying to PwC is not to underestimate the exams, and the amount of work that you will need to put in - they are unlike anything you will have sat before. However this does not mean they are not achievable by any means - you just need to work differently, and set aside the time.