Audit Trainee Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Bristol
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
3.9 /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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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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
Daily I will complete testing on different areas of the financial statements of the client I am currently working on. I also take calls and meetings with the client when discussions are needed, this takes place either at home, the office or on client site depending on where the team prefer to work.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy the programme as there is a good balance of learning through the job and through college time in preparation for exams. The programme is very intense and it is challenging to have to work and study at the same time but it is very rewarding. I enjoy being able to work on clients from different sectors and improving my technical ability as I progress through the programme.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have developed my technical accounting skills through the audit work I do day to day which is supported by the knowledge I gain through completing my ACA exams. My communication and collaboration skills have also improved through having team discussions and coaching junior team members. I have also learnt new skills on Excel which help to complete workpapers more efficiently.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The programme is well organised as all study time is set aside in your diary. There is a planner that you are given when you start which shows when all your exams will be and what dates you will be in college. There is also on the job training courses that you attend which help to develop the skills you need for audit.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I receive support in regard to wellbeing and managers do check in to make sure you are not getting too overwhelmed. The job does involve very long hours which often make it difficult to have a healthy work life balance, this means that sometimes the level of support given is still not enough.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive a good amount of support in relation to having to balance work and study. I feel that I am able to set boundaries when I have exams coming up so that I don't have to balance doing overtime as well. Managers are also understanding if you need to book in extra study leave at the last minute.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification helps massively in improving my technical ability which enables me to perform work on more complex areas. On coming back from completing a set of exams, I feel like I have learnt so much technically which I am able to use day to day in completing audit testing. The qualification also helps with time management skills enabling me to prioritise my work more effectively.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
I have been involved in a netball team through work which allowed me to get to know employees from many different departments. Within the office, there is also a book club and a running club as well as some other activities. The firm sometimes put on networking events within our office for us to get to know each other and we sometimes have the opportunity to go to London to meet trainees from other offices.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
BDO is a friendly and sociable firm which allows you to develop with support. The programme is very intense but this programme is difficult at any firm so this should not put you off BDO. At BDO you have the opportunity to work on many different types of clients and are able to express if you have an interest in working on more clients in a particular sector.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
In your interview make sure you to show your personality and be yourself, this is a key message that the firm promotes. Make sure to fully use your communication and collaboration skills in your assessment centre to show that you can work in a team. You should research the ACA and audit beforehand and make sure you are fully prepared for what the job and the qualification entails.
