Assurance Associate Review

As an associate, you are part of the audit engagement, who is responsible for performing audit procedures to gain assurance around a company's Year-end Financial statements (Statement of Profit or Loss and Statement of Financial Position). An associate will work closely to those who are qualified and with management.

Yes. I have learnt the following skills: Applying Professional Skepticism - This is a mindset to not accept information at its face value. It requires oneslef to employ a questionning mindset as to the validitiy and truthfulness of the data presented. Communication - Being able to Engage and participate in a group with varying degrees of age and position within a company comfortably and enjoyably. Business Acumen - Applying knowledge learnt about an industry to the company you are auditing to assess what impact or implication it may have on the company and its audit

To a large extent, I enjoy the programme. Being part of a global firm enables the opportunity to be presented with many doors, and the ability to explore them, whilst on track to complete a Masters Equiv. Level 7 Apprenticeship in Accounting. once Qualified, there are numerous opportunities to Travel, and Broaden Expertise.

Fairly well organised. A global firm is by no means fully efficient, and there are areas where the process can be overwhelming to get a grip of. In spite of this learning curve, the structure is well organised, and has clear identity within a job role and its accompanying responsibilities.

To a moderate extent, support is received from the employer. At first there is a large amount of support to aid a school leaver getting adjusted to the new environment professionally and socially. However, the effectiveness of this support requires oneself to be actively seeking for it, and raising issues first.

To a large extent, not much. The exams college dates are set by the employer, and they will arrange the exam bookings for you. However, that is far as the support will go concerning exams. It is your own responsibility to pass the exams with the permitted number of attempts.

Accounting Enompasses an array of topics not just associated with Hard Number Crunching. From Business Strategy, to Data Analytics and Law, there are areas which can provide an insight to the world of business. Equally, a third of the topics do specifically cover the practice of assurance. However many would contest that all 15 exams are relevant to the course and to your understanding of business and accounting.

Yes. There are extra-curricular activities to get involved in at work. EY Bristol alone has the following: Environmental-Green Network, Football Network, Netball Network, Fitness Network, Social Committee, Tennis Network. There are around 4-8 major social events which take place in the year, such as the BADCASS Ball, Christmas Party and Summer Event.

Yes

Being part of a global firm enables the opportunity to be presented with many doors, and the ability to explore them during your time at EY. The journey does not stop once your qualified. You can travel from over 150 countries to do your practice, and explore other service line that may interest you.

Be Honest, Be Prepared, and Be Proactive. Hard work won't go un-noticed at EY, and it is a place where you will be valued as a person. I believe this is what stands EY out form the other Big 4. It's a mountain to climb, but it certainly a feat worth embarking upon.