Assistant Senior Auditor Review

I am an assistant senior in the assurance service line at EY. I work in the audit department and work as part of a team to deliver audit services to a number of global market leading clients. On a day to day basis, I perform audits over increasingly complex areas of the financial statements. I work alongside a team of colleagues as well as a team of client contacts. I am responsible for completing audits of designated areas however I am also responsible for more junior members of staff and the work they are performing.

I have learnt a huge array of new skills as well as developing existing skills since joining the EY school leaver programme. I am working towards my chartered accountant qualification and as such have learnt a huge amount of technical accounting and business content through the 6 exams I have undertaken to date. In addition to this, I have had the opportunity to attend many internal training courses where I have had the opportunity to learn more about the business, the market and other people engaged in the industry. In addition, I have also developed my confidence and people skills by working at EY and developing into the business world.

I enjoy the programme I have undertaken due to the responsibilities and experiences I have had on the scheme. The work I am doing is challenging and allows me to learn on the job. In addition, I enjoy being part of working teams which creates variety and allows me to develop my skills by working with different people and on different types of engagements. I enjoy the culture and the lifestyle of undertaking my programme and have had many opportunities to travel and experience new things which has also added to the enjoyment of the programme.

I feel valued by EY at many times through the recognition schemes in place and the thanks received from managers, senior managers and partners. I have been rewarded on several occasions for the work I have produced and have benefited as a result of this. Many people have gone out of their way to pass on their appreciation and through the bi-annual feedback process, I am able to see the appreciation for the work I have performed.

The programme is extremely well organised with a clear plan laid out. There is a well organised induction process which gives new employees the opportunity to meet other new starts and network with other people on the same programme as them. The education and qualification is well planned and is communicated well. I am supported well with time for my studies and an up to date plan of where I will be working many weeks in advance.

I have received support from my training provider from day 1 of my training contract with access to online materials, tutors and access to other people undertaking the qualification. I have been supported through classes, both face to face and online and throughout many challenging pre-exam courses. In addition to this, I have colleagues and friends who have been able to support through these exams.

I constantly receive support from my employer for both my exam qualifications and the work I am doing on a day to day basis. The EY counselling programme gives me access to an individual who can help me through the programme and ensure I am supported at all times. By working in teams I have been well supported through my work by a whole mix of individuals. It helps that everyone has experienced professional qualifications in the past and have had many colleagues offer to assist with my studies and revision. I feel very well supported.

I think I am rewarded for the work I do through the salary package I am on. Earning a salary to gain a qualification and learn on the job is a great advantage and the salary I earn is rewarding. The salary more than meets my costs and is competitive for someone who has joined straight from school. The salary gives me the funds to enjoy the social aspects of joining a school leaver programme with a major global firm.

Since joining the firm, I have been involved in a large number of additional experiences including social nights, team building events, competition prize experiences, team reward evenings, charity events and recruitment experiences. We do a lot of work in the local community and have the opportunity to use days during the year to work for the benefit of the local community and our chosen charity. I have had the opportunity to travel but in the UK and abroad and meet other individuals on school leaver programmes through both social and learning events.

Yes

I have learnt so much on the programme and can recommend it for the development opportunities available. I am rewarded well for the work I do and feel valued and trusted by my employer. I have the same amount of responsibility to those on graduate programmes. The programme has helped me to grow academically and as a person.

I would advise people to prepare well before applying to the programme. Do research to learn more about the programme and the company as an organisation and as a local office. Prepare for the interview and assessment centre by thinking what you can offer to EY and the connections you can make to the type of employee the company is looking for. I would tell people to be prepared for hard work, commitment and lots of learning experiences.