Audit Trainee Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Nottingham
Review Submitted: June 2021
Overall Rating
3.4 /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!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
3/5
Performing audit testing in the planning, execution and completion stages of the audit, working on various financial statement areas (revenue, overheads, cost of sales, payroll, (other) debtors, (other) creditors, fixed assets, cash, share capital, inventory, intercompany, sales taxes, commitments and contingencies etc.), attending and conducting stock takes at client premises
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I do enjoy my programme as there is a lot of variety in the work performed between different jobs and clients. I also enjoy learning new technical skills through completing the ACA exams. However, it can be very challenging at times trying to balance the workload of both at the same time.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Developed technical skills through completing exams as part of the ACA qualification (accounting, assurance, principals of tax, law, managment information, business technology and finance, financial accounting and reporting, tax compliance, audit and assurance, business planning taxation, business strategy and technology, financial management thus far).
Developed on the job skills such as communication and teamwork.
Developed on the job skills such as communication and teamwork.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
It is very well organised and structured in terms of the qualification. As it is a 3 years programme our exams are planned out from the start, however, there has been disruption to this due to COVID. It is less organised in terms of the on job skills as it is dependent on what jobs you are on with what people to the level of exposure you get to different areas of testing.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
In respect exams and any personal issues that have occurred, there is an abundance of support available, mainly through my counselling manager and the manager responsible for exams and dealing with professional qualifications. There is less support in respect to the actual job as you are expected to just get on with your work at times.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
During exam season we are contacted by email to check up on our progress for each exam we are taking. We take some exams via online classroom which is made up of pre recorded lectures and we take some exams in college however this has moved to online classroom live during the pandemic. We are able to contact our tutors for help and are able to submit mock exams to be marked and returned to us.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The qualification helps me to perform better in my role as it enables me to understand the technicalities behind the work we are performing. Also specifically in audit I would say the main skill developed which I use in my job most frequently is from the financial accounting and reporting exam which enables me to understand how to make and post adjustments to clients financial statements when they are misstated.
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
Yes , although this has been affected by COVID. Pre COVID we at BDO participated in the NCASS (Nottingham Chartered Accountants Society) netball league along with other accountancy firms local to the area. Also we attend the NCASS Christmas ball. Since lockdown virtual events such as a virtual cocktail making Teams session have taken place.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
At BDO you get the opportunity to expand your network, develop valuable skills such as teamwork and communication all whilst working towards a highly regarded professional qualification (ACA) which is fully funded by the firm. The people at BDO are what makes it special and makes it stand out from the crowd.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
Be honest and yourself as if you try and be somebody else they will see right through it and even if they don't it might mean the job isn't right for you if you are successful. Make sure you do your research not only so you are ready to answer any interview questions but also to make sure your values align with BDO.
