Business Trainee Review

My role is very varied. In my team we provide with lots of different services to our clients which means I can be doing lots of different jobs. I've done everything from making over 60 people redundant (quite a lot of responsibility) to preparing detailed financial analysis on companies that we'd like to work with in the future. I could literally be doing so many different things every day. Undoubtedly there is administration to do (as I'd imagine there is with every job) hence only 8/10.

As part of my programme I've already passed my ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business which has given me a load of knowledge to help me with my day to day work. Also, EY have provided loads of specialist training for everything from excel modelling to business report writing and formal insolvency training.

I enjoy my programme a lot. I'm lucky im in a very interesting part of the business and the work that I do is always pretty interesting. I do wish it was shorter though so we could qualify earlier. Previously the programme could be completed in 3 years meaning you could be a fully chartered accountant by 22.

Relatively well valued. The appraisal system is a bit flawed but even a average score gets you a very good bonus. Also you receive impact awards when you do something good (which translate into £50 amazon vouchers). The Christmas parties and work socials are also really good. So to conclude there's a mix. At a personal level sometimes I don't always feel valued but at a team level, I think we're very well valued by the firm.

It's very flexible depending on what service line you're in. This is a very good thing though because in a firm that provides so many different services, the flexibility allows you to find your own mould within EY. It means you can do more of what interests you. There are formal training programmes and obviously our training contracts which are very structured though. So in my opinion, it's the best of both worlds.

Our formal training provider is Kaplan. They are OK. Not amazing. I feel like EY could spend more money on our professional training as the classes we are in are sometimes way too large to get the most out of your tutor.

You do get support but you have to ask for it. If you stand still and don't put your hand up people tend to not notice. As long as you're pro-active things are fine. Most people are though - EY recruits people that fit so this isn't usually an issue.

Not fantastically, London is very expensive but the I should probably socialise less. I'm wealthier than I would have been had I had gone to Uni (as are my parents...) but I have pennies in the account at the end of every month.

So many. I play rugby and dodgeball for EY. I've played cricket, trekked across the sahara, cycled 200 miles with the firm. I've done loads. The opportunities really are fantastic.

Yes

The culture suits me, I think it's friendly but nurtures ambition. It's very inclusive and is a fantastic place to start your career. You also meet a tonne of great, like-minded people.

Be pro-active, read the news and have a passion. If you're passionate about anything EY is the place to be because within a few emails you can be helping a client or providing a service to a firm or service that you're passionate about and it makes work so engaging.