Audit Associate Review

My job title is Audit Associate and on a day to day basis I am auditing accounts that make up the financial statements. This involves analysing excel and spread sheet data a lot and implementing audit testing procedures over balances in order to gain comfort over the data we are provided with. Meeting key client managers in finance and liasing with numerous clientele daily makes for a great personal experience.

I have already gained my CFAB (Certificate in Finance and Business) after a year of being with EY and I'm on course to complete the rest of my ACA with the ICAEW over the next few years. I have learnt an incredible amount in terms of client interaction, participating in meetings with key financial figures within companies and excel and specific software training.

I thoroughly enjoy me program, the people are what drove me to EY in the first place. It was less Borstal and hostile as opposed to other Big 4 in there recruitment program. The company culture is an open one where all levels can feel free to ask advice/questions of each other this is even shown in the open desk policy and hot desking, everyone mingles and interacts together from partners down to staff/associates. It definitely met my expectations and the career progression is phenomenal.

I feel extremely valued by EY in the sense that they recognise hard work in the form of impact awards and vouchers for exceeding standards. If you perform well on the job more complex/interesting areas of the work get assigned to you which is also a sign that you are performing well and being trusted with new opportunities.

The induction was well structured where we spent a week away together with our new intake in London in order to have fun and settle into the firm and meet our peers. This set us up perfectly to go back to the offices and settle into work. The only criticism I would have here is that some of our basic training on audit knowledge etc... came after we had been working in the job for a number of weeks.

The support from our training provider is very good, the tutors at Kaplan college make themselves available via email and mobile after the course is over to answer any questions/arrange extra tuition if necessary and available. The teaching itself is good however sometimes is taught quite quickly and this can hinder slower learners who may lose track in lessons.

I receive a great amount of support from my employer in terms of being allowed to leave early and study when necessary by various managers, a constant team I can direct queries to in HR if I don't know who else to go to. Upon joining the firm you are allocated a buddy from your year group who you can have more informal chats with and also a more formal 'counsellor' who you effectively plan your career route with.

The salary package is good however I believe there is definitely margin for improvement. Once travel costs and living costs are taken into account the remaining salary can be a struggle to last the month if you want to make savings during the month too. I think there is room for this to be increased.

There is endless events taking place throughout the year with a whole team dedicated to organising office socials and sending out calendar invites. There are also external invited that we receive for BCAAS events where Chartered accountants across Birmingham will get together for drinks and evening dinners throughout the year. There are sports team within the form to join and numerous corporate discount offers for tickets to shows or money off business attire. Voluntary initiatives are in place as we are allowed to take 2 CSR days a year to aid charities of our choice and also its easy to get the firms support if you make your cause known to more senior people at the firm you can get quite a good backing for your initiative.

Yes

Overall its a very inclusive/diverse working environment. Its challenging so will keep you stimulated and not stagnant and the opportunities for career development are endless leading to very well paid financially secure positions.

Consider a scenarios where you have demonstrated key competences so that when asked you will always have an example however if you don't because of not encountering that sort of problem/challenge before BE HONEST! Talk and network as much as you can and research via the web for anything you're unsure of.