Assurance Associate Review
at EY
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Audit
London
Review Submitted: May 2025
Overall Rating
4.9 /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!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4.8/5
-
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
I work in audit with the primarily objective of providing an opinion on a companies financial statements as to whether they are true and fair or misstated.
Day to Day I have been able to get involved in the following:
1) Gaining an overall understanding of multinational public and private businesses. This includes the business as a whole and financial aspects in more detail (all financial statement line items)
2) Performing substantive testing over the financial statements line items.
3) Managing the audit team - thinking about resourcing for an engagement, timing and work allocation to maximise the teams strengths
4) The audit tender process helping on proposal for perspective clients
5) Building and maintaining client relationships (particularly with the finance team) - requesting audit evidence and discussing accounting issues and working with the client to ensure a smooth audit process.
6) Reviewing financial statements to ensure relevant disclose requirements have been made
7) Helping to implement business efficiencies and training to help the department perform higher quality audits and save time.
Day to Day I have been able to get involved in the following:
1) Gaining an overall understanding of multinational public and private businesses. This includes the business as a whole and financial aspects in more detail (all financial statement line items)
2) Performing substantive testing over the financial statements line items.
3) Managing the audit team - thinking about resourcing for an engagement, timing and work allocation to maximise the teams strengths
4) The audit tender process helping on proposal for perspective clients
5) Building and maintaining client relationships (particularly with the finance team) - requesting audit evidence and discussing accounting issues and working with the client to ensure a smooth audit process.
6) Reviewing financial statements to ensure relevant disclose requirements have been made
7) Helping to implement business efficiencies and training to help the department perform higher quality audits and save time.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have really enjoyed my experience so far and have managed to get deeply involved in all the audits I have been a part of. Learning the skills required to provide and end to end audit service.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Please refer to the previous overview and day to day operations box but some example skills are:
1) Accounting
2) Project Management
3) Communication
4) Problem Solving
5) Analytical
1) Accounting
2) Project Management
3) Communication
4) Problem Solving
5) Analytical
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The path is streamlined and clear as to how to progress and develop in the role. Have the ability to coach, lead and build upon any skills and techniques learned.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
The employer allows sufficient time to study for the chartered accountancy qualification along side work. There is a strict no work while studying policy which helps ensure the best opportunity to concentrate on exams. Within work I constantly have opportunities within audit and in the wider department and business to continue to develop.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The training provider is always open to help with any study related questions. Lecturers are contactable via email and there is also a discussion forum that can be used. Furthermore when in class the lessons are productive and informative and have plenty of opportunity to ask questions during breaks or after class.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification is boarder than the specifics of my role. Yet the majority of the modules required directly relate to the theory behind the work I perform. They have most certainly helped me unlock more technical areas of the audit where I can utilise the understanding gained in college.
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
There are so many extra curricular activities to get involved in:
1) I am on the social committee helping organise Energy audit department wide events
2) I am on the all audit social planning committee for the EY summer social 2025
3) I have been invited to help at induction days for subsequent new joiners
4) I been able to present insights into the energy sector trainings
5) There are a plethora of other events and activities to join including various sports and inter department events
6) Have joined and organised department runs
7) At the end of each audit the team goes on an ‘signing’ social to celebrate our achievements throughout the audit
1) I am on the social committee helping organise Energy audit department wide events
2) I am on the all audit social planning committee for the EY summer social 2025
3) I have been invited to help at induction days for subsequent new joiners
4) I been able to present insights into the energy sector trainings
5) There are a plethora of other events and activities to join including various sports and inter department events
6) Have joined and organised department runs
7) At the end of each audit the team goes on an ‘signing’ social to celebrate our achievements throughout the audit
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend EY to a friend?
Yes
Why?
In a few key points:
1) Gain a strong financial understanding of businesses and how they operate
2) lots of opportunities inside and outside of audit work
3) hard work is rewarded and recognised
4) Most of all the people!
1) Gain a strong financial understanding of businesses and how they operate
2) lots of opportunities inside and outside of audit work
3) hard work is rewarded and recognised
4) Most of all the people!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to EY?
Doesn’t matter what you have studied before or if you have a deep understanding of audit. We need people who are enthusiastic, driven and willing to learn. You will get out of the experience what you put in.
