Audit Associate Review
at PwC
Degree Apprenticeship
Accounting
Milton Keynes
Review Submitted: May 2022
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
4.5/5
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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:
4/5
As an audit associate I was involved in audit engagements, where we audited the financial statements of various external clients covering differing industries.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I think it is a great programme that offers a great insight into the financial services industry, the nature of audit means you get a wide variety of clients and as a result can face differing challenges when coming to understanding the inherent nature of the clients you are auditing.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Along with developing inter-personal and communication skills by working in different engagement teams, the placement allowed me to improve my technical understanding of audit testing and increase my analysis skills relevant to financial statement and the movements of certain financial statement line items. Whilst working I have also learned a number of new skills on Microsoft Excel that aided my day-to-day tasks.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is structured around my university degree and taking the ICAEW ACA exams, the course allows me to take these exams before working placements and then apply the knowledge I have learnt from my studies into the workplace, coming full circle from the accounting theory to practical real-world examples.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer has a great support program in place, I have a designated Career Coach who tracks your progress throughout placement and as a more senior colleague can give great advice to you on any work-related or personal matters. There is also a 'Flying Start Champion' who has graduated from the program and is now a full-time employee at the firm.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Our support for our revision is made in a highly effective and organised manner. As we take the ICAEW ACA exams in the same exam period as our ordinary university exams, to meet the university credits scheme to progress to the next year of our studies, a great support program is in place from Personal tutors to my fellow Flying Start students.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Studying for my qualification allows me to build a better understanding of the accounting principles behind a number of areas such as financial statement preparation and disclosures, taxation of corporations and individual areas such as property, plant and equipment. When you progress onto the further exams you begin to be introduced to more complex areas that require professional judgement.
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
Extra-curricular activities will depend on your office but each office will have a number of activities accustomed to everyone's passions and hobbies. The office also organises a number of events around new joiners so you can be fully integrated into the firm. An example from my office would be the Office Monday Night Football.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a great firm to start your professional career and the progression I have seen in not only my technical knowledge but also my self-confidence and communication skills is down to the firm's great focus on each individual employee and how they can be supported to allow them to develop themselves and build their experience.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
Be a confident individual that can communicate well and work effectively in a team of varying experience levels. Be adaptable to change and be prepared to face a number of different tasks in the financial services sector. Show a positive attitude to not only work but social interactions and engaging with fellow colleagues/team members.
