Trainee Auditor Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Southampton
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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:
5/5
My role involves completing internal audit reviews for clients. This involves testing, which could be reading through meeting minutes right through to checking medicines kept on wards in hospitals. At the end of each review I complete a report that is checked by the manager. I have regular meetings with clients as well as my local team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really love the programme at BDO. My team are brilliant, put a lot of effort into ensuring that we all feel connected, even during lockdowns, and the role is so varied that you're learning new things every single day, and nothing ever becomes repetitive. I particularly enjoy being able to meet and build relationships with different clients which has given me access to different perspectives.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt completely new analytical skills, as well as professional scepticism. The company are also paying for me to complete the ACA which will completely transform my career going forward. I have also been able to develop my communication skills, both through meetings with clients and writing reports.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The Professional Qualifications team at BDO organise the programme in tandem with BPP, from the start it has been incredibly well structured. We are given plenty of study leave paid in order to help us keep up with the amount of study we have to do and also get college time for the majority of the exams in order to help us ensure that we pass. Its made a really daunting task much easier!
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
BDO is incredibly supportive to grads completing this course. We get plenty of study leave in order to learn and practice our courses before exams, have time off for exams and get support when needed to ensure that we are in the best position to pass. They also ensure that we have balance so that we are not working flat out all the time, which is really important.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
BPP keep in regular contact with us when we are completing our courses. We had college time for two out of six of the certificate level exams and get time with tutors for all of the professional level exams which is a huge benefit. BPP has moved to fully online tutoring during the pandemic so we have not missed out and the experience is still valuable.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Whilst my qualification is not relevant to all aspects of my role, I have been given a professional knowledge which has enabled me to keep up with conversations and make valuable contributions to meetings, as well as ensuring that I can understand certain processes particularly when doing Key Financial Controls audits. I've been given a well rounded knowledge of the industry which has helped me to feel more confident in my role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Before Covid 19 the team would regularly meet for different socials such as GoApe or cocktail making classes. Whilst the pandemic has made this more difficult, the team have continued to put on virtual social events including baking and crafting. We also have regular coffee chat check ins and there is more to come when restrictions are lifted.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Before I started at BDO I felt quite intimidated about entering the industry, however BDO encourage you to be yourself and really value the work life balance which comes across from all levels of management. The team are supportive and our client base is fantastic, which has enabled me to get involved in all sorts of different work. I hope to be with BDO for a very long time.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
Be prepared to work hard, but know that you will get back as much as you put in. Be yourself, show an interest and ask lots of questions. Research the role as much as you can before you apply or go to interviews to ensure it is the right position for you. There are lots of different jobs that can be done at BDO so make sure you do the research!
