Audit Trainee Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Gatwick, Surrey
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
4.8 /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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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:
5/5
Completing audit procedures to the specifications of managers and partners on a range of different audited entities. These range from not for profits like charities to large multi national conglomerates and holding companies. Alongside this 9-5 work, I am also expected to study for my AXA exams under the ICAEW.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughly enjoy my programme, beyond the variety of teams I get to work on with may different people. I also get to learn about the accounting and audit profession through the knowledge of more senior colleagues and also my college classes and exams. This will be priceless for my career progression.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt many useful skills in the use of Microsoft excel and how we can use these spreadsheets and various extensions to document our audit testing. Furthermore tools like DataSnipper and rainbow have become very useful in the casting of IPE and the testing of the reliability of IPE.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
It is very well structured, we are given updates on upcoming events whether that be internal or external to do with my college learning. All can be accessed on internal hubs. Also the use of teams and outlook to their full capabilities hasmade keeping track of deadlines very useful and easy.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a lot of support from my employer in the form of a buddy system (someone who is one year further into their training contract than me) and also my line manager. I have monthly calls with my line manager and more frequent update calls (every other day normally) with managers of projects I am working on at the time.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I get a lot of support from my training provider in BPP through the college classes, online sessions and we have progress review calls on a quarterly basis which gives me an opportunity to ask any questions of upcoming deadlines. Also via the BPP Hub I can get help via a helpline at anytime.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My qualification, the ACA under the ICAEW, helps me better perform at work as I am able to understand the more complex tasks that require experience in the profession much easier and allows me to then contribute more the team as I am able to perform complex tasks that I would have found much harder to 'learn on the job' without the background theory from my qual.
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
I have a lot of extra curriculars outside of work but I do try to make it to work socials that are arranged in London every month or so and smaller team outings. I find this is a great way to connect with likeminded individuals in a calmer environment. Also a great way to blow of steam.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
BDO has helped me start my career out of university and has been able to give me a solid foundation to grow from. Both professionally and personally I feel like BDO has given me opportunities to grow and better myself through internal training, BPP college classes and even in working with different teams form around the world regularly.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
BE yourself, Be Bold. These are some of the power phrases that BDO is built on and it really is true, BDO don't want a cookie cutter person - they want you to come to work and be yourself as that's how you best perform. Try to incorporate team based skills in your applications as you'll be collaborating a lot.
