Senior Associate - Auditor Review

Associate: Auditor: Edinburgh based: My placement year involved auditing a variety of businesses, from a local launderettes to a FTSE 100 companies. My role involved communicating with the clients and starting at the basics of auditing. I worked on lead schedules and basic areas of the file. This gave me the ability to coach more junior members of the team and build personal skills

I have developed my technical capabilities by discussing with client's their accounting and corroborating this to accounting standards. My personal development has benefitted from the placement - I have been exposed to senior members of staff and been able to build a network in a new location. I have been able to take on development opportunities such as group assosser trianing and trvael to the states with work.

I have enjoyed being able to join a young team with a vibrant atmosphere. Being surrounded by like minded and enthusiastic colleagues has made for an enjoyable experience. My course mates have become some of my closest friends as we spend so much time together and the vetting process ensure that like minded people join the course.

I do feel valued and I feel after the course I have been able to move on to explore other areas of the business and utilise the avenues which PwC offer. I have had the opportunity to travel and explore different cultures due to PwC. I enjoy that I am able to live in a vibrant city and enjoy a buzzing young professional life.

The programme is very structured and a clear path is set out form day one. The combination of work placements for 3 months combined with student life for the other 9 months worked very well for me. It gave me a chance to dip my toe in the profession world while still having ample time to enjoy student life. Being paid on placement gave me the opportunity to utilise my sumer holidays as well.

There is a strong network of support: from people managers and buddies at work, to course director contact and university support from Newcastle. The university is omnipresent and keep in contact throughout. This ensures that I am able to enjoy my experience without worries.

I have received great support from PwC. There are multiple people: managers, people managers & buddies who are available to speak to if things are not going as hoped. We catch up with month talks which enables me to communicate my experiences.

Due to having accomodation paid for, the salary is sufficient for a student. The salary for a uni student is good and the perks of being able to utilise your holidays with the money that has been earned. The travel costs around Edinburgh are pretty standard but the salary is sufficient.

There are social groups who meet quarterly and sports groups who meet weekly. I have been able to take part in bowling, multiple meals are restaurants & cocktail making. There is a friendly atmosphere and a very sociable vibe.

Yes

I have enjoyed my time and look forward to what the future beholds. PwC has given me the opportunity to move into other areas to develop my skills. I am now a full time employee and will qualify in September. This is a fast track on other courses of a year and I have really enjoyed my time.

Talk to others who are in the industry and make contact with PwC contacts before applying. They will be able to talk you through the role and give you hints for the assessment centre days. I would really consider this course if you want the quickest way to become a qualified accountant.