Audit Associate Review

by EY

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8.5/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Working in corporate audit, I work on audit engagements for the clients out of my office. Normally, I will be working on work papers which get reviewed to form the audit opinion. The coaching I've received has been fantastic by my colleagues.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I thought I was good at excel however now I'm using it daily I'm a whole lot better. As well as this, my soft skills have really developed and it has helped me to gain confidence and interact with the clients more.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the work I do and the people I get to work with. There's a great support network at EY, and whenever I've needed help I've always been coached.

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

It is structured really well, I know all of my college dates and all of my exam dates until the end of my training contract, and I have a really strong support network around me too.

8/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Lots is the short answer. I have a 'buddy' who is someone a year ahead of me to support me when I need it and also a counsellor who is more of a formal support person. Even when I'm doing client work everyone is willing to support you if you get stuck.

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

FI are really good, they reach out to you a few days before your block of college to confirm timings and introduce the tutor. You get their work email and phone number and it's encouraged that when you don't understand something you ask and they will go through it with you.

8/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

I think they work in tandem, as I've learnt stuff in college and haven't really understood it 100% however when I see it appear at work it helps me understand it better as it's a real world scenario.

7/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

We have an office social every month, this ranges from going to winter wonderland together to going go karting together. We also have an annual year end party and a summer celebration. As well as this, at Luton we have a football team and regularly play 5 a side against each other and against other companies near our office. We also have a charity match against the Cambridge office which helps you to interact with people outside of your office.

9/10

9a. Would you recommend EY to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

They're not only a great company to have on your CV but they support your professional development. The benefits you receive are also very generous, with a generous holiday allowance to help you switch off from work and a spend account which lets you purchase items to benefit your wellbeing.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to EY?

In my opinion, to be successful in the application process you need to know about the company. Read the news to see what's been happening to EY and the industries they operate in, network with employees there and ask them about what they get up to and advice they may have. Also read the firm's mission statement and their values. See if these values align with personal values you may possess and try and relate the values to personal experiences.