Trainee Associate Review

I work in Core Audit. The suggestion was to write about daily tasks, but this varies every day. I might be talking to a client all day regarding solving a problem such as FX issues, or I could be having a chill one ticking away invoices. The teams you work with vary every job which is brilliant for networking and meeting new people. This brings with it a lot of interesting conversations and life stories, as well as a lot of help available. I like that, even as a new joiner with less than a years experience, we are given a lot of responsibility and valued just as any other team member. We are given our own areas to work on and it -is up to us to complete these. It is challenging but very rewarding.

I am currently studying towards the ACA program, which has been very tough. However, I've received a lot of support from PwC colleagues willing to go out of their time to help me study, which was very encouraging. People skills are by far my most developed skill. I can be quite an uncomfortably awkward person sometimes but being in a very people-oriented job has pushed me out of my shell.

Despite the long hours and challenging work, I do enjoy the programme a lot. However, I feel that the team you work on is what makes the job enjoyable or not. I've had some very frosty clients but a fantastic team that makes it all worthwhile. It wasn't what I expected whatsoever. I expected a very corporate structure and a strict office environment. It is anything but. There are always social events going on which you can join in if you want to.

Despite only being in the program for 5 months and only being 18. I feel very valued by PwC and colleagues. I am given good amounts of different work to increase and improve my skillset. Ive found that Im often given work areas I havent touched before, on purpose, so that I can learn to do it and be prepared for another job where I can then build on these new skills. PwC put a lot of effort into the office and ensuring staff morale, even through busy season where hours are tough. There is a lot of appreciation and recognition from managers and partners etc.

Our programme started with a week induction at a training event with all the other TA's from across the country. However much I dislike icebreakers, I enjoyed the week and made mates from around the country such as Leeds, Uxbridge and Manchester, who I regularly talk to outside of a work setting. This week was followed by a few weeks of college to prepare us for our first exam, which we had heavy support for. The rest of our 4 year course is structured like this. A couple of weeks of college before the exam and time off to revise. There is a lot of available support in PwC as everyone has done the same exams as you and will be willing to help tutor. I am always comfortable messaging my people manager or others in years above for help with work situations and issues Im struggling on. The response is always great and often you work through issues together.

Kaplan provide us with a fair amount of support. I haven't experienced much of this yet, due to having only done two exams and currently studying for the next two. However, the online resources are very useful. All the content is online which is very handy, as you can study wherever you are. I prefer going to other PwC employees for question help, however I am sure that the Kaplan tutors are just as helpful.

As written about the course structure, there is a lot of support from PwC. You are given a People Manager whose responsibility is to help and look out for you throughout your career, regardless of your issue. My PM is always happy to answer my questions, despite regularly being very busy. This is the same case for anyone you meet round the office. A great phrase regularly used is 'There is no such thing as a dumb question'. This phrase is always used. Even if I feel my question is pretty dumb, it's always taken seriously and answered accordingly to help me out.

Living costs for my area, Reading, are fine. I am currently in a house share with a lengthy walk to the office. This is my first time living away from home, its proved a challenge but it's quite enjoyable. I'm able to afford to eat good food and cook healthy, which is a great thing. Travel costs are not a worry as travel expenses to clients and back are paid for by PwC if its more expensive than your journey to work. I love going to festivals and gigs with friends, a hobby I am also able to afford and keep up with which is perfect.

There are a lot of social events within PwC. There is usually something going on every week, whether it is some sporting event or just chilling with some colleagues for a drink. The sports & social team are always organising something. PwC run a community initiative for staff to get involved in and help local charities, which I am looking to do for the first time this year.

Yes

I think the opportunity given to me is incredible. As an 18 year old in this course and to be ACA qualified by 22 is crazy. The work is very interesting and will set you up well for life with a great network of friends and colleagues. If this is a course you are thinking about, I would heavily recommend it.

The application process was interesting and very challenging for me. I think the best approach is to spend a lot of time researching areas such as psychometric tests so that you aren't thrown off by these. I also think being yourself is the best approach. Don't try and be crazy confident, boastful and arrogant. These people in assessment centres put me off, I felt quite intimidated by them. Instead, I tried to bring people not talking much into the conversations more and helped out with their points so that we could get some input to conversations.