Digital Financial Audit Apprentice Review
at National Audit Office
Degree Apprenticeship
Audit
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.8 /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!
3.5/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
-
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
I am an apprentice on the Digital financial audit team, so I typically work in support of other audits. Mostly this involves testing IT related controls or areas which have been flagged by a financial audit team, such as general IT controls or a major IT change during the year. I also occasionally work with the data & analytics function of the team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I really enjoy the programme. I always have work to do, and my team often communicates with me and the other apprentices to the work we are given is not too simple or too complex. The college modules are challenging, and have caused me some stress but ultimately I have passed in the end.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt much more about IT audit, and developed my communication and observation skills. Since joining the apprenticeship scheme, I have been working on building my confidence about presenting to others, and have had the opportunity to determine what evidence may still be required for various areas of the IT audit.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
As this is the first year my specific apprenticeship has run at my company, no one is exactly sure how it will play out. As a result I have felt left in the dark often, or have discovered I was provided information or large tasks outside of my expected obligations out of the blue, only to discover that I didn't need to do them. After drawing these issues to attention, steps have been taken to clarify areas of the apprenticeship and hopefully my experiences can be used to guide others in the future.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My team takes care to assign a reasonable amount /difficulty level of work to me, and have organised monthly catch ups with me and the other apprentices on the team to consider if there's any further support they can provide. The wider training team have done their best to answer any questions I have.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
My training provider provide the course modules and sufficient revision and guidance resources to complete them. As I do not currently have obligations to them outside of this, I am not in a position to provide an opinion on other forms of support they offer.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
It has provided context to the work I do in a wider scale. As I am mainly working in IT Audit, there is not a one to one application of the topics covered, but I feel more knowledgeable in general. As I move on further into the qualification, the material should become more relevant.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
The are a variety of extra curriculars at my workplace, from social gatherings to sports teams. I helped organise the annual film quiz at my office, and am a part of the apprentice network, supporting other apprentices and acting as a point of information on my scheme.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend National Audit Office to a friend?
Yes
Why?
People at the National Audit Office are very friendly and understanding of others' needs. While the work we do is extensive, people always make sure that the office does not become monotonous or stressful. The hierarchy of the organisation does not impose pressure to not contact a lead or director on a project if they would be the best person to contact.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to National Audit Office?
Do your research on the work we do - read the reports we create our website!
