Audit Trainee Review

The daily role of audit trainee can involve anything from attending ETD's, setting up workpapers for testing, interacting with entities, during exam period there will also be the balancing of studying everyday alongside all the work and development training to mention a few. The part that I enjoyed is the level of responsibility and autonomy given to perform the work, with a welcoming environment to ask any question regardless of how small.

Coming from non finance/accounting background, it was a massive learning curve in getting to grips with the basics of debits and credits. Once you get your head around this, then I have built on this learning by applying it alongside my study through the practical work carried out in the world of Audit. I have also developed my time management and communications skills since I have started on this programme.

I do really enjoy the programme as it is very challenging which I find to be a motivating factor and having a very supportive team around me definitely boosts this enjoyment as well. There have been stressful and hard times especially during the ACA study, however, the training provider (BPP) have got plenty of supportive avenues in place to aid the process.

The programme is fairly intense, however, it was well structured for the certificate level. I am yet to start the professional level to fully comment on this aspect. BPP does have a great structure of learning for us trainees to follow and not only to get through the exams but also to apply it in our daily work too.

My employer is very supportive and are understanding of most situations if not all, as most of them have been through the same or similar journey to gain their professional accreditation. I have personally experienced flexibility in the ability to change my exam dates due to unexpected personal circumstances which has massively helped and made me feel appreciated.

BPP have been really helpful and have a lot of support structures in place from helping to plan your study schedule, forums to raise questions especially when studying modules online and tutor contacts to email directly if stuck on a particular topic/question. BPP also have a dedicated team for our company so we also have a direct contact to help with arranging exams or learning material as well.

Initially it felt like that until you gain the basic grasps of accounting you are mainly using it to get through exams, however, as you gain more practical work experience it really does compliment each other. The theory I have learned through the ACA route has been reinforced through the practical work at BDO.

There are plenty of extracurricular activities that we do get involved in. We have different committees where you can contribute ideas and get involved with what lines with your beliefs - these have also been proven to be great ways to mingle with different people at work. There are also regular social outings as well as activities such as 5 a side football, cricket, etc to mention a few.

Yes

BDO is a company where I have felt that it definitely lives up to how it's been portrayed in the public eye which is not always the case all the time. BDO has a very welcoming atmosphere with plenty of and celebrates the diverseness of it's people. There is a great work life balance available as well in comparison with other audit firms.

In addition to demonstrating a deep understanding of the role and business area you're applying for, as clichéd as this is going to sound, I would advice everyone to be yourself as that is what BDO encourages everyone to be. BDO is also interested in what you've done, but even more interested in what you do well and enjoy, so they can invest in you.