Staff / Assistant Review
at EY
Degree Apprenticeship
Accounting, Business Operations
London
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.6 /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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
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
Service line - Digital & Technology
Sub Service line - Data and Analytics
The job role is generally varied and exciting, there are set cycles meaning you move role regularly which keeps things interesting. The first year is a lot of data transformation to learn the basics. Leading to more specific work in audit teams and then choosing a specific route or specialisation towards the end of the programme.
Day to day is generally transforming data, visualising it for Audit teams, University or training. It changes a lot each week.
Sub Service line - Data and Analytics
The job role is generally varied and exciting, there are set cycles meaning you move role regularly which keeps things interesting. The first year is a lot of data transformation to learn the basics. Leading to more specific work in audit teams and then choosing a specific route or specialisation towards the end of the programme.
Day to day is generally transforming data, visualising it for Audit teams, University or training. It changes a lot each week.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I am in my first year so can't comment on the whole programme.
The day to day role is very volume focused. I guess to make you good at your role, the learning curve is steep, it's a competitive and fast-paced environment. I would say the culture is competitive in the sense you're surrounded by high achieving people and want to be the best version of yourself - rather than underhanded.
Managers/supervisors are very understanding, there is a culture of once 'you're in, you're in they will get you to the required standard and not pile pressure on you to improve. It feels like more of a team effort of 'where are you now, where do we need you to be, how are we going to get there?'
That in itself makes it a really nice place to work and removes anxiety surrounding performance.
There's no period of probation, once you're in, you are literally in! This probably makes the process of getting the job harder. Personally, I have not seen any other employer with no probation period.
The day to day role is very volume focused. I guess to make you good at your role, the learning curve is steep, it's a competitive and fast-paced environment. I would say the culture is competitive in the sense you're surrounded by high achieving people and want to be the best version of yourself - rather than underhanded.
Managers/supervisors are very understanding, there is a culture of once 'you're in, you're in they will get you to the required standard and not pile pressure on you to improve. It feels like more of a team effort of 'where are you now, where do we need you to be, how are we going to get there?'
That in itself makes it a really nice place to work and removes anxiety surrounding performance.
There's no period of probation, once you're in, you are literally in! This probably makes the process of getting the job harder. Personally, I have not seen any other employer with no probation period.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
The list of new skills I have learned is endless and potentially limitless if you want to learn in your own time. They have a comprehensive online library of pretty much anything you could want to learn, from coding to career development to baking cakes, to most languages etc.
EY puts a lot of emphasis on training and follows through with their promise of this. They will pay for Masters degrees, MBA's (both available to all employees after completing enough internal training) and pretty much anything you want provided you can justify a business reason.
Off the top of my head, key skills developed within the first 6 months of the programme combined with University are:
Software: Alteryx, Spotfire, Python, C#, Excel, Cloud, Power Bi
General: Essay writing, Presenting, Time management, Teaming
Personal: EY Ripples - Corporate social responsibility, EY Badges - Learning pretty much any part of the business/service lines on demand.
In quiet periods of work, they let you learn, and you have the freedom to learn whatever you want (within reason), they also give you free access to things like 'Udemy' - I could write pages and pages about education at EY.
The mentality at all levels puts a massive emphasis on education. If you have no interest in learning outside of your role and don't have a curiosity to learn then EY probably is not the best choice
EY puts a lot of emphasis on training and follows through with their promise of this. They will pay for Masters degrees, MBA's (both available to all employees after completing enough internal training) and pretty much anything you want provided you can justify a business reason.
Off the top of my head, key skills developed within the first 6 months of the programme combined with University are:
Software: Alteryx, Spotfire, Python, C#, Excel, Cloud, Power Bi
General: Essay writing, Presenting, Time management, Teaming
Personal: EY Ripples - Corporate social responsibility, EY Badges - Learning pretty much any part of the business/service lines on demand.
In quiet periods of work, they let you learn, and you have the freedom to learn whatever you want (within reason), they also give you free access to things like 'Udemy' - I could write pages and pages about education at EY.
The mentality at all levels puts a massive emphasis on education. If you have no interest in learning outside of your role and don't have a curiosity to learn then EY probably is not the best choice
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
Honestly, the organisation has been mixed.
EY - Onboarding had a lot of issues, generally the programme is well structured.
BPP - The Uni provider seems to be very unorganised, a bit of a running joke! Fine in the grand scheme of things.
Both EY / BPP have a very clear structured programme and they fit into each other well so busy periods at work don't clash with busy periods at Uni.
EY - Onboarding had a lot of issues, generally the programme is well structured.
BPP - The Uni provider seems to be very unorganised, a bit of a running joke! Fine in the grand scheme of things.
Both EY / BPP have a very clear structured programme and they fit into each other well so busy periods at work don't clash with busy periods at Uni.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
At EY you have a slightly unusual structure. You have a manager and a 'Councillor' as your points of contact.
The easiest way to explain this is the manager is specific to your job role and the councillor is basically a manager but usually from a different service line/office.
Your manager has the business interests in mind, the councillor is very much on your side or gives an objective view/feedback.
Made up example - you want time off to study for an exam, the manager would say no if work is busy, councillor would say yes as they are aligned with the bigger picture / your personal development and there would be some kind of compromise.
I really like this setup - you can talk to your 'counsellor' about personal problems and it's removed from people you actually work with. In terms of Mental/Physical health, there's a free private GP benefit. Support is generally really good, have never had any complaints, there's a lot of online support which addresses training, mental health, financial etc.
The easiest way to explain this is the manager is specific to your job role and the councillor is basically a manager but usually from a different service line/office.
Your manager has the business interests in mind, the councillor is very much on your side or gives an objective view/feedback.
Made up example - you want time off to study for an exam, the manager would say no if work is busy, councillor would say yes as they are aligned with the bigger picture / your personal development and there would be some kind of compromise.
I really like this setup - you can talk to your 'counsellor' about personal problems and it's removed from people you actually work with. In terms of Mental/Physical health, there's a free private GP benefit. Support is generally really good, have never had any complaints, there's a lot of online support which addresses training, mental health, financial etc.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
You have a coach who is similar to the councillor, on your side and goes above and beyond to help in my case.
There is a lot of support from BPP across everything you can think of. Mental health, learning support, LQBTQ, Transitioning, financial etc
They also support you in the legal side of the apprenticeship and ensure you're not being overworked, receiving the right amount of study days.
EY/BPP act as a check on each other, which generally means the service from both is better.
There is a lot of support from BPP across everything you can think of. Mental health, learning support, LQBTQ, Transitioning, financial etc
They also support you in the legal side of the apprenticeship and ensure you're not being overworked, receiving the right amount of study days.
EY/BPP act as a check on each other, which generally means the service from both is better.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification seems a bit separate from the role in some ways, but also very linked in others.
For example, we use a programme called Alteryx to process data that is only learned at work. At Uni we learned how to write programmes in Python they are two totally different programmes but the cross over is massive.
We use the cloud daily at work, we learn about it at uni.
Generally seems to be quite comprehensive.
For example, we use a programme called Alteryx to process data that is only learned at work. At Uni we learned how to write programmes in Python they are two totally different programmes but the cross over is massive.
We use the cloud daily at work, we learn about it at uni.
Generally seems to be quite comprehensive.
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
EY Ripples - CSR, helping in local/global communities
Social events, nights out, meals (covid dependant), virtual events
Sports teams - football, netball etc
A lot of different networks - Women in tech, neurodiversity, all faiths, sustainability etc
Team events, training weeks in a different office.
Also, a really nice group feeling with the other apprentices, WhatsApp groups, events, helping each other at work etc.
Basically anything you can think of, if not then start it!
Social events, nights out, meals (covid dependant), virtual events
Sports teams - football, netball etc
A lot of different networks - Women in tech, neurodiversity, all faiths, sustainability etc
Team events, training weeks in a different office.
Also, a really nice group feeling with the other apprentices, WhatsApp groups, events, helping each other at work etc.
Basically anything you can think of, if not then start it!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend EY to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Emphasis on quality, doing things right and not compromising on that.
Emphasis on Education.
Very interesting clients.
Great people, culture, mentality.
Feels like a long term employment choice, not just for the degree.
General apprenticeship benefits.
Big 4 - very employable.
Easy to move departments when qualified.
Clear career progression
Good pay (in comparison to other apprenticeships)
Good benefits
Emphasis on Education.
Very interesting clients.
Great people, culture, mentality.
Feels like a long term employment choice, not just for the degree.
General apprenticeship benefits.
Big 4 - very employable.
Easy to move departments when qualified.
Clear career progression
Good pay (in comparison to other apprenticeships)
Good benefits
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to EY?
- Practice basic Maths / English before applying (first round of exams)
- Interviews - Dress smart, well-lit room (if remote), relax (everyone is nice)
- Be yourself - they want people from all backgrounds, religions etc don't try and 'fit in' that's the opposite of what they are looking for IMO.
- Quirky hobbies/interests stand out and are encouraged - don't worry about them being a bit out there.
- They honestly do not want the standard, stereotypical finance employee, they care about diversity in every sense of the word.
- All strength-based interviews, be clear on what these are and be honest about a weakness. Have a good answer for how you're trying to address it. Makes sure they are aligned with the service line, for example being bad at maths isn't ideal for a data analytics apprenticeship.
- Have a good answer for what you've learned/changed/developed over lockdown periods in Covid
- Emphasise your love of education and back it up. (start a new language, take an online course, read a book, anything as long as you can talk about it)
- How do you impact the wider world? Volunteering, Charity etc.
If you don't do any of the above its not too late to start, then just say ' I recently signed up to do this or that'
The questions that will almost certainly come up ...
Why EY - What can you give them, what can they give you.
Why Apprenticeship - a better answer than save cash, they want confidence youre genuinely interested / will complete it.
Why this service line/office - if they ask if you'd be flexible on this then and you've just spent 20 mins saying why you love London / Analytics then probably a bad idea to say yes!
Strengths - Specific to service line ideally
Weakness - how are you making this a strength
What do you do outside of work?
What makes you individual?
What did you do/learn over Covid
- Interviews - Dress smart, well-lit room (if remote), relax (everyone is nice)
- Be yourself - they want people from all backgrounds, religions etc don't try and 'fit in' that's the opposite of what they are looking for IMO.
- Quirky hobbies/interests stand out and are encouraged - don't worry about them being a bit out there.
- They honestly do not want the standard, stereotypical finance employee, they care about diversity in every sense of the word.
- All strength-based interviews, be clear on what these are and be honest about a weakness. Have a good answer for how you're trying to address it. Makes sure they are aligned with the service line, for example being bad at maths isn't ideal for a data analytics apprenticeship.
- Have a good answer for what you've learned/changed/developed over lockdown periods in Covid
- Emphasise your love of education and back it up. (start a new language, take an online course, read a book, anything as long as you can talk about it)
- How do you impact the wider world? Volunteering, Charity etc.
If you don't do any of the above its not too late to start, then just say ' I recently signed up to do this or that'
The questions that will almost certainly come up ...
Why EY - What can you give them, what can they give you.
Why Apprenticeship - a better answer than save cash, they want confidence youre genuinely interested / will complete it.
Why this service line/office - if they ask if you'd be flexible on this then and you've just spent 20 mins saying why you love London / Analytics then probably a bad idea to say yes!
Strengths - Specific to service line ideally
Weakness - how are you making this a strength
What do you do outside of work?
What makes you individual?
What did you do/learn over Covid
Industrial Placement Year - Markets & Business Development
at EY
- Placement (10 Months+)
- Canary Wharf
-
4.9
