Business Trainee Review

Working within Corporate Finance I have worked on largescale insolvencies, as part of the Joint Administrators team, who are the people who are employed to run the business. This has involved modelling, reporting to creditors (people who are owed money), client meetings and interactions with staff and external parties at all levels. I am currently on secondment working exclusively for a senior partner at the firm. This involves continuous client facing meetings, business development roles and pitching for new work. My exposure to commerciality and the real world of finance / business is interesting and makes the role thoroughly enjoyable and strectching.

I am a part qualified chartered accountant after passing 5 of the 14 exams - all being well 2 years from now this should be 14 / 14 all of which the firm pay for and allow me to be off work and in a private college to learn and hone my technique in advance of the examinations. Professionally I have seen a vast development of my interpersonal, negotiation and commercial skills. Often working as part of a team I have been taught the importance of collaboration which is just another skill that will stay with me for the rest of my career.

I love my job, EY are a great company to work for, they are very people focussed and realise that in all of the revenue streams they are not selling a product but more the work which their people create. Working flexibly I am often given the option of working from home and can opt into or out of more intense projects to suit my career ambitions and personal circumastances. To this extent my expectations have been far supassed.

Yes - EY has a system of feedback whereby managers, senior managers, partners and peers are able to formally and informally advise on projects where you have worked particularly well and how one can advance to the next level. In addition, I also sit on a national commitee which awards internal 'vlaues' to people who go above and beyond within the company. This provides a mechanism for reward and credit where credit is due and allows me to see first hand the investment we make in our people.

On joining you are given a buddy who is of a similar grade to yourself and great for asking all of those 'stupid' questions like how the printers work or where something is kept. In addition, I also have a counsellor who supports my development on a regular basis and a mentor who is even more senior and acts as a role model in supporting my development.

My training provider is an external company and they do suppport me but there is also an element of self study.

In comparsion to other apprenteships very well!

Yes

Great company, fantastic people, opportunities and a foundation in business,

Be well prepared, research the firm and be prepared to ask questions.