Accountant Review

I am in the Restructuring team in EY Manchester. EY Restructuring provides leadership in difficult and complex situations to rapidly solve, execute and ultimately transform the outcome. I have worked on a large formal insolvency project in the North-East in the steel industry. On this project, I have been part of the trading team which involves running the business as usual - e.g. making payments to suppliers, tracking purchase orders and requisitions.

My excel skills have massively improved. I hadn't done IT at GCSE or A-Level so my skills were limited. Through coaching from my colleagues and completing web-based learning provided by EY, my excel skills have developed. My confidence talking to clients has improved by being part of the trading team.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. The team I work with made me feel welcome from the get-go and I was rolled straight onto one of the largest insolvencies in the world within two weeks of joining the team. I have been given much more responsibility than what I imagined I would have - joining as a school leaver.

The induction on my programme allowed me to meet people right across all four service lines: TAS, audit, tax and advisory. The training provided by Kaplan is thorough and the teacher I had for my accounting module had experience in the Big Four industry. I have a counsellor who I have quarterly meetings with to discuss career progression.

I was provided with a 'Buddy' during my opening week who was an apprentice who joined the year before me. He introduced me to the team and told me more about the work we do. Every apprentice has a counsellor who they can talk to about any issues or ask for guidance.

We have access to online materials, as well as receiving support from a tutor on a helpline if we need one. I enjoyed learning the accounting module in college as it was something I hadn't done before and my tutor was really supportive and helpful. Would definitely recommend Kaplan.

I haven't applied anything that I have done so far to my role at work. Restructuring is a niche sector so the standard accounting principles are more applicable to the audit and tax service lines. Having said that, I think the general principles and accounting terms have been useful sometimes.

The restructuring team in Manchester do lots of social events. EY Manchester has numerous sports teams that anyone can get involved with. I went to a comedy show with some of the other analysts from my team quite recently which was a great way to socialise and gel with my team in an informal environment.

Yes

EY is a 'Big Four' firm with great career progression. I have had the opportunity to work on one of the largest insolvencies in the world within my first year of joining the firm. I have worked as part of a national team on this project, with people from most of the offices in the UK - ranging from London to Edinburgh.

My top tip would be to thoroughly research the service line and team you are applying to before your video interviews and/or partner interviews. Make sure that you stay true to yourself and don't be concerned if you don't come from an accounting background. One of the best apprentices I have worked with studied Performing Arts at A-level.