Summer Internship Review

by BDO

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

9/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Working in several areas, including TSG and EMI. Daily tasks differ between sectors, but the standard is; casting and calling, proof reading documents and interactive learning assignments, updating figures to meet this year's tax threshold, updating clients working papers with this years numbers, and gathering data about potential clients.

9/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Learnt about the auditing role - the placement gave me a real understanding of the audit sector. Developed my spreadsheet skills and have become more attentive to detail.

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

The programme has been fantastic, you are made to feel valued and and it surpasses any expectations. You really get a good idea of what working in audit would be like. Not to mention there are lots of fun jobs to match the calling and casting!

10/10

4. How valued do you feel by BDO?

You are made to feel like a full employee of BDO from day one, unlike most work placements where you feel like you are distracting from day-to-day activities. Everyone gives praise when you have completed a task correctly, but will also be willing to go out of their way to help you to understand if you do anything incorrectly.

10/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The programme is really well organised, and everyone is really flexible if you need to switch days due to a clash or problem. I do feel however having two full days of induction was a bit too much - maybe make it one and a half days, and then spend the afternoon meeting the people you are working with and getting started on that first task?

8/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

The tutors and advisers have been faultless. Anything you need, they will go out of their way to help you with. Couldn't have been better.

10/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

BDO have been wonderful; if you need something, they'll do their best to help you. Best company I have had the pleasure of working for.

9/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

The money is really unexpected; they pay you a really competitve sum for what is only a short work placement, as well as refunding all your travel expenses. Very impressed.

10/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

There were drink on a Friday, and you can meet up with your fellow collegues on the placement, but there were no other events put on, although I'm not sure I'd want there to be any considering that you are both working and commuting. Overall not many opportuinities, but the placement was short and the ones offered were good.

7/10

9. Would you recommend BDO to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

It has been a wonderful work placement, and really gives you a good insight into the way audit works. The company is fantastic and the people so welcoming, you get an experience of work not seen at other places.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?

Be yourself! In the end you want to get a proper experience, so just be who you are, and if its meant to be it'll work out. Also, enjoy the interviews and client project, they are not there to catch you out but to discover your strengths and weaknesses!