Flying Start (FS2) / Trainee Review
at PwC
Work Experience
Accounting
Birmingham
Review Submitted: December 2021
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
4/5
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Overview of the Experience
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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Company Culture
Overview of the Experience
Please give an overview of what your work experience involved:
4/5
To what extent did you enjoy your work experience?
4/5
I enjoyed this placement quite a lot! In comparison to my last placement here, I had a lot more work to do and had much more responsibility on the job as well. As I primarily focused on one client at a time, it helped me to take the time to properly understand the work I was doing and why it was required. Those I worked with were very really good coaches and very easy to work with, which made it even more enjoyable.
How well organised was your work experience?
4/5
My placement was quite well organised. From the start of placement, my allocated time was pretty clear what I would be working on and that was exactly the case. There were no unexpected changes in my allocation, and any changes that did occur were to fill in time where I was free.
How much did your work experience help you in deciding on your future career path?
4/5
I have been pretty confident that I would like to work at this firm for a while. Having such a great work experience and working with such great people has done nothing but solidify in my mind that this is the right career path for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it here
Were you paid or reimbursed for this experience?
4/5
Yes, I was paid on a monthly basis as if I were a regular employee. I had a very competitive salary and that's just to start with, which is always a bonus! We also had certain expenses paid for if they were required for client work, which is really handy, as some of them were really expensive!
Skills Development
What training and skills development did you learn from your work experience?
4/5
I learned how the full process of a first year audit.
I learned how to perform accept / reject testing.
I was also able to improve my note taking skills whilst on client walkthroughs.
I learned how to document client procedures and how to analyse them in comparison to our initial understanding.
I learned how to perform accept / reject testing.
I was also able to improve my note taking skills whilst on client walkthroughs.
I learned how to document client procedures and how to analyse them in comparison to our initial understanding.
Company Culture
How much did you learn about the company culture and what it would be like to work there?
4/5
Overall, I learned a fair bit about the company culture as it was my first real experience of getting to go into the offices and formally meet those that work in the firm. It was really good to see how often work socials were organised as it really helped to break the ice and made coming into work that bit more enjoyable.
Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees?
4/5
Yes! There were loads of opportunities to network and meet other employees. On my first day in the office, my department went out for breakfast together which was a really good opportunity to meet and talk to other new people who we're in the same situation as me, as well as those who already worked for the firm. There are multiple things I could mention to demonstrate such opportunities! It really is appreciated.
Recommendations and Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The wor atmosphere is really nice! Everyone is so friendly and willing to help that you never feel like a nuisance by asking about something you're not sure. There are so many opportunities to develop and progress within the firm too. As well as this, the salaries are competitive and there is also a recognition system in place where you can be rewarded monetarily when someone appreciates what you've done. I find this really nice as it shows how much you really are valued even in times where you may overlook it
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
I would advise them to look up the company core values. This is really useful as they're actively implemented into the day to day work that is performed. By knowing what PwC look to implement in their work and improve on, it will help to prepare for an interview as being able to show how you can demonstrate those core values, will help to show how you will fit into the firm.
