Associate trainee at PwC Review

I work within the CCS (Corporate Complaince Services) - well specifically VAT. The service we provide is to ensure that clients are fully compliant with VAT in regards to their business. My day-to-day work is somewhat similar each day as it involves mostly VAT return preparations. However getting to work on various countries within the EU really does allow you to get a clear exposure to VAT return preparation on a broader spectrum. I always will talk to my team throughout the day as it is really crucial and fundamental part of the business line I work within. Communication is a top agenda for me and being able to interact with some of the brightest minds across the UK does really make it a great thing indeed. Looking at the communication externally is somewhat limited. I don't tend to go out and visit clients, potential clients as mainly the work is in the office. However there are times when you do get to speak to clients via phone when answering a query or posing a question but tend to occur when you are at a managerial role. My personal responsibilities include data upload, exchange rate upload and VAT return preparation to name a few.

I think I have been able to gain quite a lot of skills whilst working at PwC. The main one being able to communicate with others more effectively. I was somewhat of a shy person but working at PwC has really helped me overcome this and understand my full potential that I am capable of. Also in terms of professional skills I have been able to complete my VAT Diploma which is a recognised qualifications within the field of VAT which is a plus! I hope to expand my skills in the near future too.

I think the programme is not structured effectively and thus doesn't allow individuals like myself to acheive their full potential. For instance the evidence guide which forms part of the programme is somewhat ineffective and doesn't add real VALUE to me my clients or anything I would do on a day to day basis at PwC. In terms of work, I am not satisfied with the level of work that I carry out for my clients. I believe that VAT isn't suited for me and will not allow me to reach my potential so I will need to look elsewhere. Thanks to PwC there are many internal routes I can walk on to succeed which I am looking into after completing ATT.

I don't think the organisation values my contribution as it should. I personally believe that every individual has great skills and talent that can't be easily replicated by the other. However personally I believe that PwC doesn't take this into account when looking at when deciding your progression through the firm. This translates into a poor future career for anyone in the long-run as your skills go unheard of. Hopefully in the future they can improve on how they value future employees, work experience students and school leaver experiences.

The school leaver programme at Pwc is of high quality and well organised; there is a specific team which deals with any possible queries which any of us may have and also we have regular meetings to see how the programme can be improved upon for coming years. Support has been of high quality throughout my time at PwC so far and I have been lucky enough to pass 4 exams so far. We have regular mentor meetings to track our progress and give us short term targets in our day to day working environment.

My assessor is great help and always provides adequate support when needed. She always gives good answer which help me in the task I am completing. She can usually be contacted by varied means - i.e. sametime, email and phone. She is always very supportive and happy to help, which makes it easy for myself to approach her with all different types of questions. I would hopefully like to have more meetings and updates from my training provider in the future however but currently I'm fairly happy with the help I get.

My assessor is great help and always provides adequate support when needed. She always gives good answer which help me in the task I am completing. She can usually be contacted by varied means - i.e. sametime, email and phone. She is always very supportive and happy to help, which makes it easy for myself to approach her with all different types of questions. We can always contact our supervisors by emailing or calling them and sometimes we can stop them if we see them in passing and have a general chat which is nice.

In all fairness I think the salary is pretty generous for my current status in the world of work. It is a good amount and I always have a good amount left after the monthly costs of rent etc - I don't really have any complaints with regards to this. (PwC varies the salary per location very well). Hopefully in the future my salary can increase however as I make my way up the business slightly more. If I hopefully get a full time job perhaps in the future I know my salary will be pretty decent too which is good to hear.

PwC organises many social events and helps encourage people to integrate into the firm. It doesn't matter what level you're at either, everyone gets involved. There is also good volunteering opportunities as they provide a set amount of time off a year for you to volunteer for something. We also occasionally organise events within different departments to meet up outside of working ours, this may be for a general get-together or for someone's birthday etc. It's really good to get to know each other this way I think.

Yes

Because it is an amazing company at the forefront of its sector. Being one of the biggest companies provides you fantastic opportunities for your career progression and you will gain a variety of experiences. You will expend your knowledge for the company as well as meet some really friendly people and supervisors/managers that will help you through the placement and offer any help they can too. You feel like part of the team as I am included in any conversations, meetings and outside work activities too.

Be yourself and don't try to be someone you're not -In interviews, come across as being enthusiastic and willing to learn, they will love that -In assesssment days, just stay calm. Do the tests as you would in your house and contribute confidently but politely in group tasks. The ones who are very aggressive trying to get their point across in such tasks rarely do well I feel. Ensure you know about the company and can maybe also second guess the interview questions that may be put to you too.