Associate Review

I'm a first year school leaver and so my job is mostly to help out on the audit with whatever role I'm given within each team I work with. Often I'll be given a couple work papers to complete, ensuring the numbers the client gives us matches to what I calculate from our estimate. We all work together to keep the audit moving steadily and talk with client to ensure we have all the information we need.

I am training towards the ICAEW and ACA over the course of 5 years, but I'd say the most important skills that I'm developing in this job are communication. Being able to talk to the client, these strangers that are so much older and cleverer, is so daunting when you're just beginning, but being thrown into these uncomfortable and difficult situations has improved my quality and confidence in work tenfold.

I do enjoy the programme day to day. The culture is brilliant, everyone is so friendly and lovely and all the seniors are so willing to go the extra mile and take you out for coffee, have a chat with you about your progression and career. The school leaver group is incredibly welcoming and we all made great friends instantly. The Christmas party is also a highlight.

As a whole I feel valued, although sometimes it is hard to get the recognition you want without pushing for it, as everyone is sometimes too busy and distracted by their own workload. However I have been very lucky with my teams and got to take on additional responsibilities throughout my time, and so feel that my work has been recognised.

The structure is clear overall but quite last minute in terms of exam dates, knowing when you're going to college and that kind of thing, so it was difficult when everyone was trying to book holidays at the beginning of the year. In terms of support, there is a brilliant structure in place. You have a counsellor to speak to and a counselling family tree in which to find support.

When we are in college, the teachers go the extra mile to ensure we know what we're doing and frequently offer after-college and one-to-one sessions with the students to help us if need be. Outside of college, it can be hard to speak to the training providers and get questions answered as often they don't know themselves.

I feel very supported by my employer and would not hesitate to discuss anything with them in terms of my work life balance, or health, or anything like that. The support network of counselling is incredibly useful (unless you get a bad counsellor.. luck of the draw, not so good) but there are always other people willing to help you if you reach out.

Although travelling through London every day is incredibly expensive, EY pays very well for someone of my age and calibre. The prices in Canary Wharf can be daunting but arguably worth it. I think I'd rather work in the luxurious business corner of London and pay the extortionate prices than work in the suburbs at home, because the whole excitement of the experience.

EY gives you 2 paid volunteer days a year, and there are so many opportunities to join EY sport and social clubs if you wish to. There is yoga every week in both London offices and frequent client drinks and socialising. In terms of social life as well, EY thrives as everyone gets on so well both in and out of work. The parties are the best, too.

Yes

I've had a brilliant experience with EY so far and as an alternate to university, it's probably one of the best due to the school leaver programme enabling you to join and work with people of a similar age and calibre, so it feels less isolating than I imagine joining an older company would be.

In terms of opportunities and rewards, you get out what you put in! The application process is hard but I would say make every effort to know what they might ask you and prepare for it, but don't lie - if the job doesn't suit you, better to be rejected early on than quit once you're there. In the assessment centre and interview, try to impress but don't forget to be yourself and be confident.