Internal Audit Apprentice Review

My role is that of an internal auditor. I work in accordance to the annual auditing plan, auditing and reviewing different areas within the business to assess controls and provide assurance over risk management. I work with varying areas within the business that I audit and I also liaise with similar departments such as risk management, compliance and others. I am given autonomy to create and manage my own calendar and work within the deadlines given ahead of time. Every quarter I aim to assist in delivering two audits and they differ in complexity and subject area.

I am currently on my way to achieving a masters degree directly relevant to internal auditing, achieving a professional qualification from the IIA as an internal auditor and ongoing internal training courses to enhance and develop my professional skills. I have shadowed senior auditors and learned many valuable skills from observing them. I am also given periodic reviews and feedback on my work to allow me to work on any areas identified for improvement. The role is everchanging and demanding but the training is well suited for undertaking the role, even during covid limitations .

The work is challenging and no two projects / audits are the same and I personally enjoy this. The team I work in are very helpful, experienced, knowledgeable and close knit and that culture resonates with me greatly as well as being fortunate to have access to them as a resource to grow into my role. The company culture is very focussed but there is a good importance on striking a healthy work / life balance. I enjoy the nature of my work, I am grateful and I have very strong bonds with my team. However, I believe that the company perhaps does not reward its staff as they could / should and there is a stronger importance / reward given to senior roles.

Induction was not structured very well. The team forgot the day I was joining and left me waiting in the buildings reception area for 2 hours. My only points of contact (2 managers) were both on training at an external site and were not responding. Upon joining I was asked to complete basic admin tasks for the first 2 weeks as there was no plan in place. In my first week I was given tickets and told I need to appear in a different city later in the week for some induction training. A couple of weeks into the role I was able to shadow a senior auditor and was given more relative and meaningful tasks to assist with. This has improved and I am now an integral part of the team where I am allocated audit work and given autonomy to complete it within deadlines. The learning provider has been very messy. The delivery is sporadic, poor, unresponsive and simple things such as exam dates are not communicated. Having provided feedback about this numerous times there is little change and the frustration remains.

I have a (apprenticeship manager) contact within HR who I can speak to regarding all apprenticeship matters. My manager is very supportive, allows me time off as study leave when required and we have fortnightly meetings to discuss feedback, areas of improvement, any support required and any issues I want to raise. My team are very supportive and always answer any questions I have regarding work. They also take time out to explain any work they have done so I am aware of ways of working.

The delivery structure pre-covid was one block week of study at the start of the semester followed by an exam at the end. The attitude of the tutors is very much for you to find your own resources and their catch phrase is 'we are happy to just let you get on with it'. University resource and communication is poor. Delivery is poor. Structure is poor. Post covid the delivery structure is 3 hour seminars online every Monday until we undertake an exam at the end. This has been shocking as often we have been taught the wrong material, the lecturers have been unprepared and unable to answer questions, they have not been aware of assessment methods and no set schedule is communicated. Its been a very frustrating experience.

The qualifications that I am training towards are very helpful in allowing me to understand the standards on which to perform my role and they are widely recognised as professional qualifications required for my chosen career path. Every semester I am able to apply theory to my role and vice versa.

There are not many social activities to get involved in. Very few company events or activities. There are professional initiatives that I have volunteered for but they are very much work focussed.

Yes

The training provided from colleagues is outstanding and the professional qualifications and experience you can achieve are unrivalled. The weight it carries on your CV is impressive and the culture allows you to learn while being challenged. The pay is considerably less than similar roles but the training supersedes all else.

The application process is quite intensive and it is easy to lose focus. I would ask that you research what the core values are and embed them in all your responses and behaviours throughout the process. Don't be afraid to be yourself and don't expect a strong corporate culture when interviewing. Opportunities are available but you will need to be confident enough to put yourself forward for them. Try to enjoy the assessment day!