Audit Associate 12 month placement Review

As an Auditor, my role is to ensure that a company's financial statements present a true and fair view of its financial position. On a daily basis, I engage directly with clients to understand their operations and gather relevant evidence. I use Excel and AI-powered digital tools to perform detailed testing across various areas of their business, helping to identify risks, verify transactions, and ensure compliance with accounting standards. My work supports transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making for stakeholders.

During my placement year, I’ve been entrusted with significant responsibility from early on. By week two or three, I was already working on live audit engagements, not just shadowing others. I’ve consistently owned my own sections of work, with increasing complexity as the year progressed. This hands-on experience has allowed me to develop strong technical and client-facing skills. I’ve also had the opportunity to contribute to diverse areas of the business, including working with our ESG department, which broadened my understanding of sustainability reporting and non-financial assurance.

Over the course of my placement year, I’ve seen a marked improvement in my technical and professional skill set. My Excel proficiency has grown significantly, enabling me to work more efficiently and handle complex data tasks with confidence. I’ve also developed strong communication and interpersonal skills through regular client interaction and team collaboration. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to host internal events, which helped me build confidence in public speaking and develop valuable crowd engagement skills.

Throughout my placement year, I’ve benefited from strong support and guidance across all engagements. Every audit I worked on had a dedicated in-charge and manager who were consistently available to answer questions and provide direction. In addition to on-the-job support, I’ve had access to a career coach and a people manager, both of whom have been instrumental in helping me navigate my professional development and maintain my well-being. This structured support system has enabled me to grow confidently and take ownership of increasingly complex tasks.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my placement year has been the people I've worked with. Everyone I've interacted with has been incredibly kind, patient, and supportive. There’s a genuine culture of encouragement, where colleagues are invested in helping me succeed and grow. This positive environment has made a real difference in my development and confidence throughout the year.

I've genuinely loved my placement year—it’s been an incredibly positive and enriching experience. From the very beginning, I was given real responsibility and trusted to manage my own sections of work, which helped me grow quickly and gain confidence. The support from managers, in-charges, my career coach, and people manager has been outstanding, always available to guide me and answer questions. What truly made the year special, though, is the people. Everyone I’ve worked with has been kind, patient, and encouraging, creating a culture where I’ve felt valued and motivated to do my best.
I’ve learned so much—not just about auditing, but about a wide range of businesses across sectors I hadn’t even known existed. My technical skills, especially in Excel, have improved significantly, and I’ve developed strong communication and public speaking abilities through client interactions and hosting events. Most importantly, I’ve grown a lot as a person. This year has helped shape my professional identity and given me clarity about the kind of career I want to build.

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