Auditor Review

My role is to perform planning, fieldwork and completion stages of audits for privately owned businesses, which can be single or group entities based inside and outside the UK. I'm also responsible for training junior members of the team on the basics of the audit fieldwork areas as well as delegate and manage work allocations across junior members of the team.

i have learnt the skill of managing my time since i have to complete multiple tasks in one day, work on multiple clients at once, juggle my time when training junior team members as well as ensuring to get my work completed as well. Communication is a key skill i've learnt in terms of communicating with clients, and different seniority level team members from juniors to partner level. It requires different approach. This has also broadened by soft skills and excel skills.

Meeting new members of the team, working with different colleagues and clients on a regular basis and building my internal network in the firm. Also learning essential skills such as excel shortcuts and learning how to manage my time, manage a team and adapt work/communication styles to each member of the team. These skills i can take forward with me on any future job.

It is organised well with semi annual catch ups with the BPP team. Exams are structured well and revision courses are very helpful as they are always a few weeks prior to the exam. I think skills and behaviour tasks should be staggered across each year as opposed to completing them in one block towards the end of the course.

i receive support from my employer with regards to receiving study days and flexible OCR days leave, and training courses leave during my work schedule. They allow me to prioritise my learning and studies for completing the ACA qualification first and are pretty flexible with allowing me to take off time when i need.

ICAEW/BPP do provide adequate support for completeing exams in terms of course notes, videos, question bank and intereactive intensive revision sessions near the exam period. I also really find the question and answer section useful in the BPP home page for each exam because the tutors are really responsive and quick to provide answers to ad hoc questions which we may have whilst going through the course notes.

Some what, obviously there are certain exams which are more directly applicable to my role as an auditor. I really find learning about the accounting standards and tax treatments extremely helpful during my day to day work because this is directly applicable to the clients i work on. The course notes are a useful point of reference to ensure the correct calculation or disclosure has been used.

There a loads of interactive teams channels, sports teams, social events that take place across both London and Sutton office. Last day of the month drinks in the office, volunteering opportunities and also scope for creating your own volunteering/social group. We have networking events with schools and universities where we can present and speak to potential new recruits.

Yes

Great place to work, its inclusive, the people value you as a person and they want you to learn. There is a culture of support, non segregation or hierarchy. People are friendly, welcoming and always willing to help. There are various support networks and social networks to get involved in. I feel that Mazars look after you more than other firms. However when it comes to being qualified and moving to assistant manager role - there is scope to improve particularly in my department in the POB sector. Hence progression within the firm may be better looked at elsewhere depending on the team and personal goals and ambitions.

Do it. Worth the opportunity. Even if you do not like the day job, the people make work life all the more rewarding. There is a sense of community spirit within Mazars which i am grateful for. There is scope to take a secondment or move departments, only after you qualify.