Flying Start Degree programme - Intern/Trainee, Bristol office Review

As an intern in central audit, my daily responsibilities include completing evidence gathering activities (EGA) to test various FSLIs and requesting and documenting samples from clients. Completing some EGAs requires communicating with the client both in person and online to better understand their processes and clarify any queries.

During my time, I significantly expanded my Excel skills and enhanced my professional communication abilities, both written and verbal. This improvement was crucial, as the role required me to convey messages clearly and concisely to senior team members and clients. Additionally, I deepened my audit knowledge, particularly understanding the rationale and methods for testing various FSLIs.

I thoroughly enjoyed this program as it provided valuable professional work experience at an early stage in my career and offered networking opportunities with senior members of the firm. Additionally, it contributed to the required working days for accreditation.

The programme is well-organized, with support from career coaches, former Flying Start who are now as senior associates, and current Flying Start placement students. This support network ensures that any issues are resolved in a timely manner.

We are assigned a buddy, a career coach, Flying Start champions (former Flying Starts now senior associates), and a connected development, all there to address any questions. Additionally, all members of my engagement teams were more than willing to assist with any inquiries I had.

Lots of support from the lecturers being willing to help or the students being assigned a coach. The seminars also help consolidate the knowledge to help us to well in our exams.

It helps give you an underlying knowledge of accounting and audit particularly through the FFMA and Assurance module studied in year 1. Studying for the ACA exams gives a base knowledge that allows you to not be clueless on the job, but most of the learning happens on the job and through the Vantage training.

There are several socials that happen throughout the placement.

Yes

It is always a great opportunity to work in a big four in terms of the level of work you do, the client's you gain exposure to, and the meetings and discussions with directors/partners that you get to listen in on. The coaching culture at PwC allows you to ask questions to almost anybody without feeling judged. It also allows to you to network with senior members that will surely be useful in your future.

Do your research on the firm and in the third stage of the interview process (group interview) be a good team member in terms of being a good listener and being receptive and open minded to other peoples ideas.