Audit Apprentice Review

I take pride in saying I work for KPMG. With such a big company there are a lot of resources that you may not find in other, smaller companies. For example, the opportunity to work/ visit other offices (I have been to Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds) and the employee benefits. These benefits include, mental health resources and programmes, some free medical care such as eye tests, free home working equipment when you join such as an office chair, monitor and desk, and so much more. Most people I work with are very kind and helpful especially when I need help with my work.
However, I am often overwhelmed and stressed with the work I have to do. Like most other apprentices I've talked to, I often feel as though I have been thrown into the deep end a lot of the time. The tasks I am given are usually things I have no experience in and I'm usually given no guidance. This is getting better as I develop a better basic understanding of audits and gain confidence, but when I first started joining engagements it was very difficult.

Before starting here, I barely know how to use excel. With help from online training provided by KPMG and my colleagues, I now have a better understanding of Excel and can use it fairly confidently.
I had no previous knowledge of auditing or accounting before I started my apprenticeship, although I understand more now, improvement in my knowledge is slow. I often find myself slightly overwhelmed with the work as I still don't fully understand the work.

There are lots of social activities with KPMG. The most helpful for me was a new joiner social I went to before I started working in the office, this was a great way to break the ice with the other apprentices and other staff in my office. There were two Christmas parties also which was a great way to develop my relationship with my colleagues. Probably the best socials for me are the E grade socials, these are for apprentices, graduates and new joiners, this helps me improve my friendship with those who are roughly in the same position as me.

When you start don't be scared to ask for help. Be honest with your knowledge, it's better to get help and do it right than get it wrong and waste time. When applying, try and connect with other people in the same position as you, my cohort did this with a big whatsapp group chat we made during the interview process, this make starting less daunting and you get to gauge how others feel.