Audit Associate Review

My job title is an audit associate. My role is client based, and the size of my team depends on the size of the client. I have been teams ranging from 2 people to 20 people in size. My daily tasks involve interacting with the client and performing audit test procedures to get comfort over financial statement line items.

I have learnt a number of new skills and also developed existing skills in this role. I have now sat 12 out of the 15 ACA exams, so now only have to sit 3 more exams until I qualify as a chartered accountant. Working in a team and regularly interacting with the client has developed my communication skills. Each placement I have spent up to a week in training before starting again which has proved extremely useful.

I really enjoy my programme. It combines my university experience with paid work placements, and provided I achieve a 2:1 then it also provides a graduate job. The work itself is varied which keeps the job interesting, and the teams I have worked on have also been social and friendly. The company culture promotes flexible working and balancing both work and social life.

I feel very valued by PwC. I have regular catch ups with my people manager where we discuss my progress and objectives for the upcoming year. On my job bookings, my in-charges have given me the opportunity to get involved in performing work over more challenging areas of the audit file to help aid my development.

My programme runs very smoothly, and is well organised. On each of my 3 placements, I have always had training and an induction day. There is a large support network, consisting of people at the university and also those at PwC. There are regular support meetings with my people manager and Flying Start champion.

My training provider provided plenty of support. During the week of training, our tutors were always available to answer any questions or help with anything we were unsure on. They were able to provide guidance with general problems too and they seemed keen to help. Despite being an intense week, I enjoyed it.

My employer provides lots of support, as well as making it easy to access support. I am able to get support from my PwC Flying start champion, my people manager, my buddy (through the PwC buddy system) and HC. There are a number of Help numbers we can call if we need guidance with problems.

My package meets my living costs. On the programme, my accommodation costs are covered by my employer. The accommodation is in the city centre and very modern. This means that my salary covers my daily costs, social costs and enables me to save too. Since my job is client based, often I can claim back any travel costs incurred above and beyond my normal commute.

Yes - there tends to be monthly office drinks, alongside the Christmas party and an office away day each year. In addition, we have a 'One firm one day' event where we take part in helping the local community which is really rewarding. In addition, there are a number of PwC sports teams such as netball, basketball, badminton etc.

Yes

PwC is a great employer - it provides excellent training and support, promotes a work life balance, the nature of the job means that you are always learning new skills and performing different types of work which keeps it interesting, the nature of the job also means that you end up working in different parts of the country as it is client based!

Ensure you are aware of the 'PwC professional framework' and make sure that you are able to demonstrate how you meet of the criteria within this framework. The interviews tend to be competency based and centre on this framework. On my assessment day I had to do tests, an interview and a group task.