Internal Auditor / Consultant Review

Initially (first 2/3 months), you're are mainly completing training, shadowing senior auditors on client calls and gradually taking on more and more responsibility in terms of report writing and undertaking testing. But I've found this process really rewarding as it allows you to ease into the role and fully understand what is expected of you (I had no previous background/understanding of internal audit).
When you become more established, you are assigned audits to complete along side other colleagues, or sometimes alone (but supervised), and this involves setting up the audit and reaching out to the client to obtain evidence and schedule meetings, review evidence that is provided, prepare for meetings with clients and thinking of questions to ask them about different processes. You will be using InterAudit a lot (RSM's audit report writing tool), and will be expected to concisely outline your findings, issues identified, and make sure that you have all necessary evidence to support these.
Aside from general audit tasks you may have ongoing training, general admin tasks, and meeting with colleagues

Yes. I think that as opposed to some of the 'big 4', where I've heard that it sometimes takes graduates and new starters 6-9 months to be trusted and put in front of a client, I was exposed to practically from week 2 or 3. In the time that these grads have met their first client, I may already have worked with 15/20 clients on 30/40 audits. RSM will definitely make sure that you are able to take each next step in terms of increased responsibility, and there's a strong culture of openness and encouragement to speak up if something is too much. I'm currently at month 9 in my placement and have already been entrusted in completed some audits independently

Definitely - going into it I was nervous about the prospect of having to lead client calls. This placement has greatly increased my confidence and ability to clearly articulate and communicate information in a way that is useful. I've also improved in excel skills, report writing skills, time management for upcoming deadlines and balancing different audits at the same time.
You develop a whole lot of soft skills that you will be able to carry anywhere you go afterwards. As well as internal audit-specific skills

Plenty - there is always a colleague available to speak to either in person or via teams who is happy to assist or help. Never be afraid to ask a question, no matter how small. You're better off asking someone before an issue arises that needs fixing, which takes more time and budget. If that makes sense

The Internal audit team in the North East is spread across Leeds, Newcastle and Nottingham, but colleagues are mainly based in Leeds (about 75%)
The culture and atmosphere is great when people are in the office, but my team in Newcastle is rather small, and Leeds office people only go into the office about 2/3 days a week max.
Wish the team in Newcastle was bit bigger, but those who are here come in 4/5 days a week which is nice

Not finished it yet, 2.5 months to go. But I've really enjoyed it so far, and I'm incredibly glad I've managed to even get a placement. I'm seeing so many university graduates who just can't seem to find jobs despite getting good grades. Its clear that degrees alone are not sufficient in order to secure jobs, and its really important that people get solid experience on their CVs before applying to the job market officially comes.
I think my placement has set me apart from a lot of people, I have learnt so many skills and have received positive feedback from senior colleagues, who would happily serve as references for any future jobs, and I have already been offered the position once I finish university - which is relaly nice to know this early on

Yes