Senior Associate Review

I work in Audit and assurance, which is the most common field where Bright Starts being their career at Deloitte. This involves testing of balances on financial statements - responsibilities include speaking to clients, looking after your sections of your file and as you become more senior and develop through the years you begin to have oversight of more areas and start looking after junior members of the team and overseeing their work too. This work can however be challenging and draining to an extent.

Different studying techniques, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. There are so many ways to improve through either reviews of your work by managers, self reviewing and through ICAS. There are annual residential training courses and these are a great way to build and expand your network and a fun way to learn soft skills too.

The BrightStart scheme is challenging. It is not a step out of school and into an easy job situations - you are thrown into the deep end a little bit, doing the same level of work as a graduate who might have 4 years experience doing accounting. It is however rewarding if you put in the work. The scheme is internationally recognised, and ICAS is the oldest chartered accountant body in the world.

The scheme is structured well. It's 5 years long, and promises annual promotions as long as you are performing well. there is a clear route for progression with the grades as follows: Year 1 - assistant associate 2 - Associate 3 - Senior Associate 4 - Assistant Manager 1 5 - assistant Manager 2 beyond this the next grade up for most people when completing the scheme is manager.

Deloitte has a vast support network, with well being advisers in the offices and the HR help desk a call away. There is a strong year-group affiliation - the people you start with go through the same exams, busy periods and various work related steps at the same time as you so it is great to be able to talk to them. You become very close with the people you work because you spend so much time together

As i said before, ICAS is no walk in the park. The exams are hard, and while the firm does offer you some level of support it's up to you to ensure you are putting in the hours to get the work done. As a BrightStart, you are eased into the first stage of the qualification slightly more than the graduates by spreading out your exams more.

ICAS is a highly regarded qualification and outranks a degree in terms of stature and prestige in the eyes of so many employers. It prepares you for your daily work by teaching you the basics, with subjects including financial accounting, business management, and principles of auditing and reporting. Unlike other qualifications, you will use what you learn as it is all relevant.

There are a number of national and international events at the firm, most offices usually have 5 aside football. There's a Deloitte European football tournament which happens in Prague every year, and a "ride across Britain" challenge where people will ride from the most northern point of Scotland to the furthest south point of the UK.

Yes

The scheme is hard, but is rewarding if you put in the work. There is clear progression, as you become more senior the annual pay rise can become quite substantial. If you, for example, start at 18 as a school leaver, you'll be 23, a CA and making £40k+ a year at the age of 23 - when most people are likely to have that amount in debt from being at university.

Be yourself, engage with your interviewer. We're all people too, and Deloitte look for someone who will fit in well with the team rather than someone that is only book smart. Be personable, talk about your hobbies and interests. if you make it through to the interviews - remember to smile!