Flying Start Degree programme - Associate Birmingham Review
at PwC
Degree Apprenticeship
Accounting
Birmingham
Review Submitted: March 2021
Overall Rating
4.1 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I worked as an Associate in the Assurance Department. My daily tasks involving updating the tracker, documenting evidence, talking to the client regarding the evidence received. Other day-to-day tasks include updating my team on the progress of my work during a daily catch-up, and having team socials on a regular basis.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy my programme and would recommend it to prospective university students who are looking for a balance between student life and work life. I have felt supported by my colleagues and felt that working at PwC allowed me to maintain a healthy work-life balance despite the remote environment in which I was working.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have developed my problem solving skills and attention to detail. I have also learnt new skills, such as professionalism and interpersonal skills. As I worked in 'busy season', I have also improved my ability to work under deadlines and pressure. By helping junior members of the team, I have improved my leadership qualities.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Placements last 3 months in Years 2 and 3, and 5 months in Year 4 of the programme. This allows us to enjoy university student life in Year 1 and work life thereafter. The programme is very well organised and we are made aware of the structure and logistics of the course at the start.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
We receive a lot of support from PwC, such as from our career coach, flying start champions, buddies, the programme manager and peer group. We have one-to-one meetings with our career coach throughout placement, during which we can discuss issues. We also have a lot of peer social groups to discuss work life, and raise problems.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
We receive a good amount of support from our training provider when working towards ACA qualification. Our training provides provides us with an advisor as well as there is a hotline that's available 24 x 7 to discuss any issues that we face. ICAEW also responds quickly to emails
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
ICAEW conducts a wide range of workshops throughout the year which helps to develop our excel skills. In addition to that, they conduct seminars which help us have an understanding of the new audit standards. Additionally our university conducts a professional development course which teach us various work related skills.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are a range of different extra-curricular activities offered by PwC. These generally include sports, however in the remote environment, they are conducted at home. There are also professional networking events, for example the Insight Week PwC Networking Event for Flying Start Students. There are also social events such as a Curry Night on fridays.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Firstly, PwC has a good reputation and is part of the Big 4, which would be good for their job profile and future endeavors. Secondly, the work environment at PwC is very pleasant and everyone is welcoming and friendly. The support offered by the firm is also a reason why I would recommend it to a friend.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
Don't get intimidated by the size of the company. Be honest in your application and make sure you have researched the firm. You should know why you want to work at PwC, rather than a different firm and how your values align with PwC's core attributes. Reflect on the experiences you have had in the past and the skills you have gained from them.
