Audit Associate Review
at PKF Smith Cooper
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Audit
Birmingham
Review Submitted: April 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!
3.5/5
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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
On a day to day basis my role as an audit associate consists of carrying out testing and demonstrating analytical skills to gain appropriate assurance that the figures entering the financial statements are not misstated and therefore represent a true and fair view of a companies financial position.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I have had a lot of enjoyment throughout my current capacity as an audit associate. Working with various financial teams and having the ability to visit different types of business has widened my horizon of the landscape which has been thoroughly enjoyable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learned and developed several new/existing skills. Through working with different companies and people I have developed and adapted my communication styles to fit different groups of people. Additionally my analytical skills and attention to detail have furthered through rigorous training and testing.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
Our programme has been well organised and structured. We have been assigned a buddy who is helpful when having queries about work or simply admin questions, and my seniors are very helpful in assisting with work.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer has been extremely helpful throughout my period here. Namely, our Learning & Development Executive, Qais, has been extremely helpful in supporting with qualification guidance and questions, especially as the apprenticeship was daunting when I first joined. The recruitment process was smoothly run where I was kept in the loop throughout.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Kaplan provide support as expected, with college days being useful and being able to email questions throughout the week.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I think that the qualification is crucial for the role. I have no prior experience in audit/accounting and so studying the ACA even from the first module, things I was were essential.
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
Yes, there are events that take place where we compete with a team, for example in the coming months we are representing our office in a 5 aside football tournament. We also have quarterly socials where we go to an activity as a team.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PKF Smith Cooper to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I have had a supportive and kind experience at PKF Smith Cooper. I have found the people extremely friendly, but also helpful with work and constructive criticism and the culture here I feel is strong.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PKF Smith Cooper?
I would advise people to be themselves, research the industry they are applying for, and demonstrate curiosity as opposed to pure knowledge. Few starting out at a new job know the ins and outs of the job prior to working there, so demonstrating a healthy thirst for learning and being open is important.
