Audit Graduate Review
at PKF Smith Cooper
Degree Apprenticeship
Audit
Derby
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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:
5/5
Assisting experienced auditors in various audits and experiencing different industries. As audit consists with a strong level of communication, you will have the opportunity to communicate with senior level management on audits and other experienced team members. You will be working on-site most of the time - so it's exciting to travel to new areas.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
With the high level of support at PKF Smith Cooper - you always feel free to ask questions and learn new things. Additionally, the team always makes an effort to organise audit team days during the year - as we are usually apart from being on-site, it nice to get the team together and see everyone.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
As a junior you are new to pretty much all the audits you are put on. However, the senior on the audit will always support you throughout the job. Any questions that you have about completing a test or not understanding what you are testing, the team members will be there to help you. I have learnt so much from just asking questions on an audit. Further, PKF Smith Cooper has gone above beyond to create their own structured training programmes. For instance, when I first started off on the Graduate Audit Programme we were given a week's worth of accounting exercises and problem solving. The training was designed in a way that you weren't just completing exercises but engaging with the whole cohort - helping each other.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
It is very well organised - in terms of planning for college times and audit work. Also, PKF Smith Cooper always makes time to organise training session to progress you through different audit skills.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There is so much support - from the training that is provided, on-the-job support for when you want to learn new audit tests, or when you are going to college/preparing for exams. Further, with any question that you have, there is always someone at PKF Smith Cooper that can help you.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Kaplan provides a lot of support - when you are attending the in-class tuition the tutor is always there to answer any questions that you have. Additionally, when you are revising at home there is an online chat function with other tutors that can help you answer questions within a few minuets. The workbook that is provided is very easy to follow with many questions in there to help you pass you exams.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Training under the ACA qualification is essential to my job - the progress in the apprenticeship is in tandem with the level progression in the qualification. For example, learning certificate level Assurance at the beginning of the graduate programme has helped me understand how to conduct a good audit test and what things I should be looking from when dealing with client data.
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
The audit team always makes an effort to organise audit team days during the year - as we are usually apart from being on-site, it nice to get the team together and see everyone. We also have quarterly socials and annual parties (Christmas and summer parties).
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PKF Smith Cooper to a friend?
Yes
Why?
As you are studying and working at the same time it would be hard to balance both that and your social life. However, at PKF Smith Cooper they are understanding towards the work-life balance. Also, with such a high level of support and a friendly culture you feel free to ask questions and try new things.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PKF Smith Cooper?
To be passionate in what you are working in and have a good works ethic.
