Audit Associate Review
at PKF Smith Cooper
School Leaver Programme
Audit
Birmingham
Review Submitted: February 2026
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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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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:
5/5
On a day to day basis, an Audit Associate collaborates with both their colleagues and client businesses in order to assess transactions such as sales and purchases. Auditors maintain a detailed document base in order to ensure all areas of a company is tested and compliant to legislation.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
As a school leaver with little to no experience in the 'real world' or Audit, PKFSC have provided me with so much support and guidance to ensure I enjoy my role and can learn valuable skills. Alongside this, they have funded my qualifications to allow my career to progress. Additionally, the camaraderie in the office and company as a whole is incredible, light-hearted and fun.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt various new skills such as IT (using numerous new software), analysing financial data and documenting work. I have also built on existing skills such as communication and technical terminology.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My programme is very structured, this can be evidenced by the annual planner that assigns each Audit work per day, also college is on a regular basis which allows you to build on technical skills and knowledge.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
PKF Smith Cooper offer so much support to employees, this can be seen through their monthly mental/physical health webinars to their internal training days to ensure everyone is comfortable undertaking their daily tasks. Also, the Learning and Development Executive always checks in on employees to ensure they are comfortable and helps reduce any stress relating to studies.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Kaplan offers a large quantity of training through AAT Level 3 and their enrichment week.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The skills and knowledge you learn at Kaplan directly translates into Audit work, this helps you understand your role more and have a greater impact on the team.
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 is always something going on at PKF Smith Cooper. Whether its rounders, an Audit social or pancake day, your never lost for fun.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend PKF Smith Cooper to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Why not? They are amazing when it comes to ensuring you have subsequent training both internally and externally, provide you with your qualifications and help the wider community via volunteering.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to PKF Smith Cooper?
Be yourself, ask questions and show up everyday. PKF Smith Cooper do so much for their employees but it needs to be reciprocated.
