Audit Data Strategist Review

As an Audit Data Strategist, I work with clients' financial data and produce reports needed for the audit. This involves analysing data, reporting conclusions, and discussing queries with clients. My responsibility is to ensure that clear expectations are set at the start of bookings and met. This improves the trust in our team.

I've improved my communication and report-writing skills. My confidence in speaking to new people, internally and externally, has improved as it is part of my daily role. I am more aware of the importance of organisation and time management. I have become a specialist using the software that creates the analyses.

I enjoy meeting up as a cohort or in office groups. My office doesn't have many apprentices, so we don't meet up much since we are all working on different things. The work can be pretty repetitive in the second year - the other years are more interesting with a wider array of work.

We were set an ALP at the start of our programme detailing when we would have modules and deadlines. This helps organise when to take leave. Study leave is normally organised well with a meeting to discuss when we would like to take study leave as a cohort. However, this year that didn't happen for our cohort so there was a lot of last minute changes to annual leave that had been booked.

My counsellor/line manager often attends meetings with my BPP coach so they are aware of my progress and helps me find relevant people to speak to for information to include in my coursework. One of my other managers is very helpful with brainstorming ideas with me. Everyone understands study leave and most people will not ask for anything work related to be actioned whilst we are on study leave.

Our coach is our main point of contact - we are meant to avoid reaching out to lecturers directly if we have a question. Most of the time, my coach is quick to respond if I have an issue. We also have regular meetings to discuss progress. Most of the lecturers have been open to feedback in terms of what topics we would like to revise with them.

There is very little correlation between our qualification and our job role. Most assignments ask us to discuss the ideas in the context of our workplace. However, we have very finite opportunities within our roles, especially in the first few years, so it is hard for these to be detailed. I have not applied any technical skills from our qualification (e.g. the different programming languages or software we have looked at) in my role.

Social events tend to be organised per office. In my office, there is a social event around once a month and they alternate between in-office and external. There are many sports teams in our office including netball, football, and cricket. There are lots of networks that hold virtual meetings within EY including the Women's Network and Neurodiversity Community.

Yes

EY is a well-established brand and working here will open many doors for you. Even when the work is challenging, there is always someone that you can talk to and share the burden. Most managers are very understanding and someone will have your back if you are struggling with a client or employee.

Be yourself in the interviews - they aren't a test, they are to see if you align with the people and culture at EY. Think about what makes you want to work at EY in particular and ensure you familiarise yourself with EY's purpose and values. Don't be stressed about your grades - recruitment is skills-based so think about what skills make you a good applicant.