Audit Associate Review

I am currently in the position on an Audit Associate and am coming up to my full second year. I have thoroughly enjoyed the work so far. Daily tasks included speaking to clients, experiences regular challenges and time management. All of these skills have been developed since working at GT.

While working at Grant Thornton I am studying towards my AAT Level 3 and 4, then with further progression onto ACA or ACCA. I believe I will choose ACA out of personal preference. Internally I have been trained with all aspects of Audit as well as general business skills. The audit skills are regularly refreshed with training sessions where specialists come in to give talks.

I enjoy my job, the regular challenges I face are enjoyable and take a while to develop fully so having time to gain full understanding is very important. I work within a moderately large team, on audit I see the person for two weeks and can go months without seeing them again. This is part of the job I enjoy as you see a lot of different people. I enjoy working within the company and am pleased to be working at GT with the excitement of becoming a social enterprise.

With regard feeling valued at GT, it varies significantly. Some weeks / months I can feel that I am highly valued employee and receive praise for the work I have completed. Other times however, I feel slightly less so. The company is large and with such a significant amount of employees it is easy to fall back in just being another one. I wish to achieve acknowledgment for being a good employee and hope to do so.

This also varies. My college is always booked well in advance and people are aware I will not be able to complete work during that time. As all employees go through this it is clear it is understood. However, the individuals who plan my calendar do not take into account business decisions, such as location of exams. This is inconvenient and can cause issues.

I receive a lot of support from Kaplan, they are the tutors and is where I go to study for my exams. They have an approach of, if you revise you will pass if you don't then you will probably fail. This hard approach is perfect for individuals who may struggle to find time to study, it makes you find time as telling the company you failed isn't a good thing.

Virtually none. I have to do this work in my time, college days are booked into calendars well and I am able to get time off work but only if booked months in advance. My manager doesn't seem to take too much interest in my exams, this doesn't bother me as I just get on with the task in hand. Once I start ACA more of a deal is made out of the exams rather than AAT.

Being a school leaver I live at home with my parents. I live approx. 25 miles from the office and have to drive approx. 15,000 a year to go to clients and the office etc, fuel is my biggest expense without a doubt, approx. £300 a month is spent on this. However, my wage covers this easily and I am able to put away approx. £1,000 into savings.

At GT we have a fair few social activities we go to which can include quizzes, these are fun to attend. You get to catch up with all the employees which you may have not seen in months and can catch up and chat about general life. GT offer discounts to many gyms and as most of my day is sitting it is required to attend to maintain fitness levels.

Yes

A large company which everyone in Industry is aware of, they are top 6 in the world with the opportunity to travel abroad with the job, they offer many opportunities for future development and at current have a good salary. The training is vital for development on the job and is enjoyable.

Be yourself, get an understanding of the company. Research the policies we abide to. The interviews were nice and easy, the managers and partners made them feel that way anyway, I was so nervous. Having an assessment day was enjoyable, got to meet potential colleagues and get an understanding of what is required while in the job role. Thoroughly enjoyed the process.