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
I am an Audit Associate at EY, based in the Cambridge office. As part of the EY apprenticeship programme, my role involves supporting audit engagements for a range of clients while studying alongside full‑time work. From early on, I have been treated as a core member of the audit team and given responsibility for meaningful tasks that contribute directly to the delivery of high‑quality audits.
The role combines technical accounting work, client interaction, teamwork, and professional development, allowing me to build practical skills alongside my formal training.
The role combines technical accounting work, client interaction, teamwork, and professional development, allowing me to build practical skills alongside my formal training.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I can say with utmost confidence joining EY as an apprentice is one of the best decisions I've ever made
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I’ve developed strong audit and accounting skills through working on real client engagements, alongside improving my communication, teamwork, and time‑management skills. Balancing work and study has increased my confidence, organisation, and ability to take ownership of tasks, while opportunities such as supporting new joiners have helped me build early leadership skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is well organised and structured, with clear expectations, strong support from managers, student coaches and counsellors, and a good balance between work and study. Responsibilities increase gradually, and training and study leave are well integrated around client work.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from EY, including regular guidance from my manager and team, a dedicated counsellor for development and wellbeing, and structured study support. This makes it much easier to balance work, exams, and personal development as an apprentice.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive excellent support from First Intuition, with clear learning materials, guidance on assessments, and access to help when needed. Courses are a mixture of online, in person and self study and are tailored to the learning material and the class. Tutors make them self available to students and set them up with the tools needed to succeed.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The qualification provides a solid grounding in accounting principles, audit concepts, and professional judgement, which helps me better understand the purpose behind the audit procedures I carry out. This means I’m not just completing tasks, but understanding why they are required and how they contribute to the overall audit. This has improved both the quality of my work and my confidence when discussing it with senior team members.
There is also a strong link between on‑the‑job experience and off‑the‑job learning. Much of the learning can be applied directly to real client work, which reinforces understanding and makes the qualification feel practical rather than purely academic. Logging active learning that relates directly to my role further strengthens this connection.
There is also a strong link between on‑the‑job experience and off‑the‑job learning. Much of the learning can be applied directly to real client work, which reinforces understanding and makes the qualification feel practical rather than purely academic. Logging active learning that relates directly to my role further strengthens this connection.
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 lots of extra‑curricular activities to get involved in at EY, both at my office level (Cambridge) and across the wider firm, including office socials, cultural and wellbeing events, sports teams and networking groups. These activities are easy to join and welcoming of all new members.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend EY to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I’d recommend EY because it offers strong support, real responsibility from an early stage and excellent development opportunities. The culture is inclusive and supportive, and the apprenticeship allows you to gain practical experience while working towards professional qualifications and long‑term career progression.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to EY?
Be yourself, do your research, and focus on transferable skills and attitude rather than just grades. EY values people who are curious, proactive, and keen to learn, so showing genuine interest in the apprenticeship route and being open to learning, feedback and progression.
