Flying Start Degree programme - placement 1 Bristol office Review
at PwC
Work Experience
Audit
Bristol
Review Submitted: March 2025
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!
3.4/5
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Overview of the Experience
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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Company Culture
Overview of the Experience
Please give an overview of what your work experience involved:
4/5
My work experience involved working as a team to provide high quality work for the clients. I learnt a lot from my team and it was amazing experience to be able to interact with clients and see how different businesses work.
To what extent did you enjoy your work experience?
4/5
I really enjoyed my work experience - it is unlike anything I have ever done and I wouldn't have been able to have such an immersive experience if I hadn't have discovered this course. It has been amazing getting to see the real world side of the job but also I have met such nice people along the way.
How well organised was your work experience?
2/5
I think there are many improvements that can be made to the structure of the work experience. For starters, I think the initial training should be carried out by Flying Start alumni since our training wasn't handled in the best way so was not as beneficial as it could be. I also have had lots of problems with resourcing and so the last 3 weeks of my placement I have been unbooked which isn't the best use of my time.
How much did your work experience help you in deciding on your future career path?
2/5
I would say my work experience has told me a lot about what I am happy to do and where I want to go. I enjoyed audit a lot more than I thought I would and so whilst I still want to explore all of my options, I am very happy in PwC.
Were you paid or reimbursed for this experience?
5/5
Yes - we were given a competitive salary which I think is amazing for them to provide to students and i think it really gives the feel the we are valued members of the company. I would say that it is a little sad this isn't the standard for all work placements but I am grateful to have the opportunity to earn a living whilst studying.
Skills Development
What training and skills development did you learn from your work experience?
4/5
I learnt a lot about audit as a whole since my course is focussed more on the accounting side. I have developed many skills including confidence around asking questions when I am unsure about something and I have definitely improved my time-keeping skills since all of the work is based around deadlines.
Company Culture
How much did you learn about the company culture and what it would be like to work there?
4/5
I learnt a lot about PwC in terms of both the company values and the people that work there. The company definitely has a big focus on inclusivity which is amazing and you can tell the impact this has by seeing the warm work environment. The people have all been so lovely to work with and everyone has been very supportive about the fact that this is my first placement and so I do not understand much.
Were there opportunities for networking and meeting other employees?
4/5
There were plenty of networking opportunities. I think PwC does a great job at organising events to promote networking, from the Wednesday treats to encourage people to have a chat, to the larger events like Group day where we got to meet people higher up in the company.
Recommendations and Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
PwC has such a great environment, unlike any other company I have worked at. This programme is such an amazing opportunity and really helps with planning for the future, whilst also allowing for a healthy social life too which can be very rare when working for such a large company.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
Do not expect the road to be easy. Whilst there are amazing opportunities for development, you still have to work hard and earn your place in the company. But also do not push yourself too hard - everyone is very understanding of all circumstances and it is easy to get burnt out so make sure to make time for yourself too.
