Flying Start - Stage 3 - Leeds Office Review
at PwC
Degree Apprenticeship
Audit
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.2 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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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
My role across of my placement has involved working with my colleagues to help plan and target areas of the audit of a client. It involves lots of use of excel, speaking to clients surrounding areas of the audit and also documenting any evidence or documentation provided by the client.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I thoroughoughly have enjoyed my first 3 years of my programme as it allows me have the university experience through part of the year which is also partnered with real life experience in a prestigious firm in the 'Busy season' which has given me hands on experience. I couldn't recommend it enough.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have become a lot more efficient in the use of excel, now being able to use shortcuts to help me. My business acumen and professionalism have also greatly been improved with me having greater understanding of some areas and being able to speak and communicate a lot greater.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme is very well organised with the teaching weeks starting in September until December, with each module leader having the content laid out in an structured manner which isn't overbearing and doesnt feel too much whilst also being able to cover all the content. Then in January we get to experience 3 months in one of the PwC offices to expand our knowledge in practice in the real world which doesnt feel daunting. After the end of our placement period, we return back to university where we continue to learn small bits of content before we have our exams in the summer.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
PwC are great at offering support to us with lots of the employees being Flying Starts previously it is comforting to know they have been in your shoes before and they are always willing to help you and for you to ask questions .
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Newcastle University have great module leaders and with there being a small cohort of student each year the support they have to offer is a lot more direct. They are always available through email or through the Discussion board to ask questions. In previous experience some modules have also been able to put additional sessions on to speak through problems on a one-to-one basis.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The qualification we have been working towards has helped me understand the fundamentals of accounting which is the baseline to audit which has meant that I have a much greater understanding to why certain things need doing .
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
PwC occasionally put on events in the office, from smaller events of having pancake day in the office to more extravagant events such as the chinese new year event. I havent been able to join any sporting teams of events but have heard from others that there are some in other units of PwC.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PwC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
PwC is such a prestigious firm with it being in 'the big 4' and they are so great at helping your development and to give young people an oppurtunity to fast track their careers and get a great qualification.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PwC?
From my experience PwC has been full of employees that are always bubbly, talkative and generally good people that are always willing to strive for greatness and put the team first .
