Audit Trainee Review
at BDO
School Leaver Programme
Accounting
Gatwick, Surrey
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
3.6 /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
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.2/5
-
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
Daily tasks on a generic day would be to test accuracy of transactions and require supporting documentation to back up these, document the results and investigate and query any discrepancies. Daily i will talk to my team of colleagues who is on the job with me and depending on the job, speak to clients every couple of days or so.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Ive enjoyed my first 8 months on the programme, as its allowed me to develop and learn lots of new skills and gather work experience in the field whilst having the ability to get a qualification at the same time, another key pro of the programme would be the responsibilities that are given, which allows me to feel proud of my work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt to develop my time management and have learnt the basics of Accounting, i am currently learning assurance, alongside work. Some skills I've learnt is to note take quickly to gather specific bits of important information in real time, and I've also developed social speaking in big groups.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
My programme is relatively well structured and has a rough guideline to when you will sit your exams, around a year in advance, and when study leave is needed etc, for each exam i have 2 attempts, first attempt and then will have study leave for a second attempt if needed.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
Employer like i said above, offers study leave to help pass exams. BDO also prioritise your learning and exams over generic work which helps you not feel overwhelmed. I believe BDO offer lots of support from a mental health side of work and not overworking yourself, and like to put health first.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
In my programme for each exam i have 2 attempts, first attempt and then will have study leave for a second attempt if needed. Support from BPP checking up on my learning and if there is anything i need support with, employer (people manager) also has routinely meetings regarding my learning.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel my qualification through my training provider definitely helps me perform better in my role as I learn the theory of a lot of things and then also cover the practical side later and have support from colleagues to help further my understanding to do my job effectively and efficiently
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
I believe that there is a BDO football team however im not entirely sure, and alot of colleagues have Yammer which looks like social media for work. There is a few events like christmas party etc, and 'away days' and alot of peoples leavers drinks. After alot of training courses there is also usually a networking session to network with peers.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
BDO has been a very nice, friendly place to work, where ive already in a short space of time feel my knowledge in the finance field has deeply improved and have learnt countless new things with alot of new experiences and met lots of people from different places and backgrounds.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
Some tips i would give is to read into the companies key values and try and pick up on things to make you stand out as a candidate. Some advice id give is to try your best and to give yourself plenty of planning and have a quick read in the industry and the news.
