Corporate Assistant - Risk Consulting Review

I work on non-financial audits, generally focusing on legal compliance and best practice (industry-wide) for public/social sector clients. My day involves emailing and calling clients, requesting evidence to test the points of each audit, documenting the results of testing, feeding back to clients on the results of audits, and writing reports on audits. Work is generally solitary, besides catch-ups with managers/colleagues at various points in an audit.

I've developed my communication skills due to daily interactions via email and calls with clients. Written and face to face comms are expected. Internal auditors always need to ask questions and be critical thinkers to get to the root of any issues clients are experiencing. I've also developed formal, succinct writing skills due to report writing.

I've been enjoying the programme to a decent extent. Work is enjoyable and engaging but not thrilling; it is fulfilling to finish reports that can add value to clients who use taxpayers' money, ensuring it isn't wasted. Work can be isolating at times due to audits only requiring one person to do the fieldwork generally.

Average: the training provider had issues in sending my training materials to me (and others) in time for our revision and learning stage of exams. Besides that, balancing work and study is tricky but a part of the apprenticeship. Work wise, audits are structured and should be planned weeks in advance so you'll know what you'll be working on for a while before it starts. Occasionally there are planning mishaps, resulting in audits having their dates changed.

A decent amount, line managers should always be there for you if you need anything. This can range from issues on an audit, exams, to more pastoral issues. However, there are times when work is busy and you may feel that managers are hard pressed for time to give you. In those cases though, I've always been directed to another manager who may be able to assist where applicable.

Depends on the exams: for some we had in person teaching where the tutor was on hand for any queries which was very helpful. For others, we watched pre-recorded sessions. It was still possible to reach out for help on tutor-monitored forums, but there was a lack of face to face feedback in this way.

This area was poor - the job I work is non-financial, internal audit. We look at legal compliance and managing risks. We were initially made to do the ACA, an accounting qualification, which was largely irrelevant to our line of work. After about a year and a half, Mazars gave our service line the option to move onto a more relevant qualification. Up until now, the ACA has done very little in helping me perform better in my role.

The office is to have quarterly socials which take place. There are sports to get involved with too, like weekly football or a running club. However, there is no budget within our team to have any funded team events (e.g. meals out) - we would be expected to pay for these ourselves. Few team-building activities take place.

Yes

Work environment is good and healthy - working flexibly is possible and encouraged if required by an individual. If working a 9-5, no one is expected to work after 5 (I've seen it discouraged). Work can be steady and engaging and feels meaningful at times. I'd caveat this by pointing out that work is often solitary; unless your team comes into the office regularly then you can feel isolated. With such a big company it is difficult to have a tight-knit team/community feel to the workplace - a lot of it feels impersonal and corporatised. If you're after a work hard, play hard workplace, this might not be for you.

Be yourself, make sure you research the company, its values, work and competitors. Be interested in the audit field and Mazars' aim to break into the Big 4. Take the time to research the roles on offer, be aware that the study commitment is one that will take much of your free time up when it's exam season, but the end result will be worth it.