Audit Apprentice Review

Item: Audit Apprentice at National Audit Office
Rating: 4
Author: Anonymous

at National Audit Office

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Accounting, Audit

Newcastle upon Tyne

Review Submitted: April 2025

Overall Rating

4 /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 - Overview of Role

4/5 - Skills Development

3.6/5 - 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 day-to-day involves the completion of testing and planning requirements of audits. This involves a high-density of Excel based work as well as communication with my team and clients both in person and via video calls. These tests and planning can be both numerical/financial as well as more word-heavy research tasks.

To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

4/5

I would say that I do enjoy my programme and the day-to-day work within it. I work with people that I have developed strong relationships with and feel well supported in my role and the tasks I carry out. Although some periods can be more demanding, overall I enjoy my programme.

Skills Development

Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

4/5

I have developed my teamwork skills as I work as part of audit teams to ensure we meet our deadlines. My communication skills have also improved due to communication with colleagues and clients being a crucial part of my role. My organisational skills and time management have also improved due to having more independence and responsibility over my work.

Structure and Support

How well organised/structured is your programme?

4/5

My programme is well structured in the sense that I have a clear view of my pathway assuming I remain on it (i.e. with exams). All exams and college periods for upcoming years are timetabled and are often around the quieter periods of our year ensuring we have more time to study.

How much support do you receive from your employer?

3/5

The support offering I receive from my employer has certainly improved over my time here. Initially there was little specific support for apprentices, especially to enable us to complete the apprenticeship-specific aspects. This is improved and there is now greater understanding and support for apprentices in the tasks they have to undertake that are different to graduates, for example.

How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

3/5

I receive a reasonable amount of support from my training provider. There is a period of teaching prior to any professional exams and support is available from expert tutors after this also. In terms of apprenticeship requirements, whilst there is some support, it would be beneficial to receive greater explanation on some tasks such as reflective statements.

How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

3/5

The professional exams I sit (ICAEW ACA) are beneficial to my performance as they develop skills and increase my understanding of accounting and related areas, which is relevant to my role. The actual apprenticeship itself does not particular help to better my performance as the majority of reflective statements etc are retrospective.

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 am involved in 5 a side football regularly, and we also partake in fairly regular trainee socials which generally entail going for a meal. I am also part of the apprentice network that has been set up by apprentices to improve the central support given. I am also a committee member of our sports and social association that organises activities for the wider office, such as the summer bbq.