Audit assistant Review

My day to day role involves going out on site to client companies, and auditing their accounts. As part of a team at BDO, we get sent all over London to review clients accounts and testing them to ensure they are correct. Alongside this, I also have to revise and sit 15 exams for the ACA qualification.

One skill I have really developed is my people skills. One crucial part of audit is being able to speak to the client face to face and work around them to carry out the necessary testing. This is something that certainly has improved with time the more you get used to talking to clients in the business environment,

I do enjoy the programme, and find it very interesting. As I am working in the not for profit sector, I enjoy going to a lot of different charities and seeing how they operate. I do find the work tough at times as it is very new and can be very confusing, but the challenge is enjoyable.

I would see the programme is well organised and structured. BDO book in your exams well space apart in months in advance, so it you have a clear structure as to when you will be sitting them. This is also the same for your audit jobs, meaning you know who and where you will be working a long time in advance.

The employer provides a lot of support when you first start at BDO. You are provided with a buddy and a counselling manager who are always there to take any queries throughout the time at BDO and are willing to help. This is extremely useful when starting a new job.

The training provider is very good at providing support when working towards qualifications. Some of the exams are tutored in college, with a tutor you can contact with any queries on the work. We are also provided with an online training portal with extra questions and helpful videos.

I think certain modules of the qualification tie in very will with the job. The assurance and auditing modules for example are very useful. They help understand how to approach the audit work we do on site. The accountancy exams and tax exams give a background knowledge that is useful going into the job.

BDO offer a lot of extra curricular activities including socials which they often inject money into. Things such as mini golf, table tennis and darts activities or even bar tabs are provided by the firm to help improve the social aspect. BDO is a very friendly place to work and with the large number of grads it makes it very social.

Yes

It is a friendly place to work with lots of opportunities of career progression. The qualification really does look good on your CV and offer a number of doors once you complete the apprenticeship. It also pays very well, competitive with the big four, but a more friendly work environment.

Make sure you understand the companies values and objectives, and understand how audit works and what it entails. Try to brush up on your accountancy knowledge and be able to show your teamworking skills in the assessment centre. I would also suggest try and relax and be yourself in the interview process.