Flying Start Degree Programme - FS1 - Reading Office Review

You will be assigned a team and a client that you work on and are going to help audit. Depending on the size of the client and team, you're given specific areas of the financial statements to look at. You'll talk with the client, complete testing on your areas and document what you find. Much of the role involves working in collaboration with your team and learning from senior members.

The placement is invaluable in developing your skills and awareness of how audit works. The senior members of the team coach you through what you're looking at in great detail and so when you start work, you pick it up quickly. The opportunity to interact with clients and the rest of the team is also great for brushing up on general communication and people skills. On the technical side, what you learn on placement also really supplements your university studies as the content from your modules begins to make a lot more sense after you see first hand what you do with the info you learn.

Although it can get a but busy as you are on placement during 'busy season', I genuinely learnt so much and the people you work with are all really friendly - making the whole experience much better. Whilst my entire placement was virtual (due to Covid), I really don't think I missed out on anything as the teams I worked with checked in daily and I was still able to learn so much from other members of my team.

It is really well organised. In terms of university studies, the lecturers you have are all really knowledgeable and know exactly the right way to teach you the content you need for your exams. In terms of placement, PwC have made sure that we have all the right support so that when you join, you know who to go to for help if you're struggling with work or generally just need someone to talk to. Before you start placement, you also have around 2 weeks of training that's really helpful - you're not just thrown into the deep end, there are lots of different people both at the university and PwC who are there if you need help.

I think that there is a really good amount of support from PwC. Even before you start placement, you have regular contact with someone from there who answers any questions you have. Once you start work placement, you have a 'buddy' you can go to for any questions. You also have a 'career coach' who monitors how you are doing on placement and you also go to them for questions. Within the actual teams you work with, everyone is really approachable and the senior associates especially are so helpful if you're not sure on the work you are doing or if you're generally just feeling overwhelmed.

Again, the University are really helpful when it comes to studying for the exams. As long as you do what they recommend (the readings, extra Qs etc.), there are not really any issues. The lecturers we have at the uni are all really friendly and approachable if you have any questions. If you are struggling with the content or, just in general, with your wellbeing, there are quite a few people at the uni to support you.

I think what you learn at the Uni is directly applicable in your day to day job. Obviously it will vary between the clients that you're working on, but for the most part, you modules at uni are really helpful on placement as you definitely apply what you learn. On the other side, going on placement also helps with your studies bc you can actually see the content you're learning in the real world.

Even with placement being virtual, PwC offers lots to do. Within the teams you're working on, there is usually some form of weekly/ bi-weekly fun activity to do to boost everyone's spirits and take some of the work stress away. There are also things within each office like a 'Step Challenge' or Virtual Drinks/ Dinners that are hosted.

Yes

I think it really is a great place to work and learn. Everyone at the firm wants you to do well and succeed and make sure that the support is there to help you to get to where you want to be. The workload can be stressful at times (usually, in busy season), but the people you work with make it a lot easier as they are just so friendly and willing to help you learn.

Make sure you've done a bit of research on the firm - especially the 'PwC Professional' framework. If you do have an interview, make sure you practice questions that are open ended and try and find ways that you can link yourself to the values at PwC and the professional framework.