Audit Trainee Review

by BDO

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.4/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am a trainee audit with BDO. I spent the majority of my time on site and a variety of clients. I am responsible for the sections of the audit that have been allocated to me.

9/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I am learning and developing new skills. I find you get out what you put in, I try and take as much away as possible from a task. I have been on both internal and external courses, external being for my exams.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the day to day work side of my apprenticeship but I don't really enjoy the apprenticeship coursework side of the program because I am allotted no time to carry out the work meaning I have to give up my evenings and weekends to complete the tasks. While they may not be challenging academically they are extremely time consuming. I though it would have better structure other than the occasional webinar where some users see it as an excellent chat room to catch up with their friends in other offices. The webinars then become too long and the task objective is never made clear. I understand that that is more of a BPP point that a BDO point.

7/10

4. How valued do you feel by BDO?

I feel value at BDO. Praise and constructive criticism is given appropriately.

10/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I think that the program is well structured from the college professional exam side. I don't think the apprenticeship course work side is very well structured at all. While I think my BPP assessor Gillian is very nice and I don't really understand why she need to phone me so much. Please see my earlier comments about the course webinars.

6/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

The training provider BPP is accessible but I dislike the way they deliver the course. I am in the audit stream and I have only been able to attend one webinar as I am often busy when they are due. They don't seem to factor in how it can be difficult for some of a very junior level to drop their chargeable work to take time to be on the phone to BPP. People would see it as not needed especially if you have deadlines.

5/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Limited, I receive no time off to complete the apprenticeship course work.

5/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

I work in London, while my salary is competitive I would never be able to afford to live in London.

6/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

BDO has many out of work opportunities. Everyone feels included.

10/10

9. Would you recommend BDO to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I think as a BDO trainee a lot of support is offered and everyone is so friendly.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?

Know the background of BDO and prepare for your interview well. Don't get too phased with the application process and give your self plenty of time to complete it