Audit Associate Review
at PwC
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Bristol
Review Submitted: March 2023
Overall Rating
3.3 /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!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
3/5
-
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
I am an audit associate so that means I prepare work papers for a variety of different clients. I may be on one client for between 1 week and 2 months, where I go into detail into each financial statement line items to test for evidence of fraud and ensure that they're correct
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I enjoy the flexibility of the job and my peers at work are very nice. The job is stimulating but can get repetitive in certain aspects. However, as the jobs change often its exciting to see different businesses and to go out to their sites and meeting the clients in person.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Yes I have learnt lots of skills, I didn't come from a finance background so I have learnt lots about accounting and finance. We undertake professional exams during the apprenticeship, in order to become chartered at the end. These exams help solidify knowledge and ensure we cover the whole relevant curriculum.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
It's very well structured, somewhat too well structured with a lack of flexibility in terms of the professional qualification dates and threats of what might happen if you fail them. The jobs are well resourced and your timetable shows what you are allocated to each day and covers all your time.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
There is a good coaching culture which is encouraged as you become more senior. Therefore you learn lots from the more experienced peers. PwC do support you through major personal issues and they are fairly understanding of and personal issues you may have. They provide lots of resources for personal development.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Kaplan are very helpful for qualification exams. Before an exam we will go into college from a few days to multiple weeks. This is extremely helpful to go through certain questions with subject experts and prepares you well for when you take the exam. There is however a lack of assistance in the case of any retakes.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The qualification is extremely relevant to the everyday job. The exams however are difficult and some of them are more of a memory test that applicable to the job. Most of the are relevant and provide the background knowledge in order to perform well in the day to day job
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
Yes there are extra curricular groups to get involved in. These are mostly sports clubs and teams that are organised by the employees, not by the employer. There are multiple social events per month which provide chances to catch up with other service lines and network with peers that you dont see daily.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It's a great company. The exams are very difficult and the workload is very variable with periods of being very busy and periods of not so much work. It is also a prestigious company and definitely helps with your future career should you not stay after finishing the apprenticeship.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
Make sure you be yourself and are genuine. Definitely prepare yourself for the exams and show the interviewers that you understand the process and the work that will be required from you. Make sure you prepare from the interview process and try to stand out from the crowd. Good luck!
