Audit Trainee Review

The job involves analysing information and data on a daily basis. We often have to communicate with the client to obtain any information or answers to additional information that we need to perform audit procedures. We will be booked on a job for a couple of weeks and will be delegated with tasks to complete.

We have to complete a programme called L7 Apprenticeship (accounting and tax). This involves developing skills such as Building Relationship and adding value, communication, business insight and flexibility, problem solving and decision making, leadership and continuous improvement as well as ethics and professional scepticisms. There are webinars that we watch and tasks that we need to complete for each of these skills. We often complete internal training relating to technical areas of audit.

The firm consists of like minded people with the same vision. There is a genuine spirit of cooperation and shared goals all revolving around delivering exceptional client service. There is a great degree of control and freedom especially now when the workforce is working remotely. The tasks are never repetitive and it is always changing — always evolving

At the start of the apprenticeship, we were informed about the plans/schedule as well as the tasks that we need to perform in order to complete this apprenticeship. We also have bi-yearly calls with our apprenticeship provider and our manager to talk through our progress and our next steps.

At the start of the apprenticeship, we were all allocated a counselling manager who would assist us if we encounter any problems whilst working at the firm. We also have a buddy so we can ask questions about the day to day life at the firm and help us settle in.

We have calls every 6 months with the training provider. They also set up webinars that will talk us through what we need to do to progress as well as giving us tips on how to pass the achievement ladders for essays and presentations that we have to complete in order to pass the apprenticeship

The qualification with the training provider allows us to gain a lot of skills that we need in a working environment. They have videos that we can watch as well as tasks that we need to complete to help us develop skills. They also provide support in relation to exams/

The firm has different teams that are in charge of organising events. For example, there is a social team that helps organise social events on a weekly basis and there is a wellbeing team that aims to improve the wellbeing of everyone working at BDO. There is also a society with ICAEW in Manchester that organises events for professional networking, socials, skills development.

Yes

Compared to other companies, BDO offers greater flexibility and support for exams. There is a great team with people who are extremely helpful and supportive. It doesn’t require sitting in the officer all day long. We're always travelling to client site and meeting/speaking to new people on a daily basis

There are a lot of psychometric tests that you can practice online before applying to BDO. Try and get involved in extracurricular activities so you provide examples of when you demonstrated skills. Be honest and open, try to be yourself and relax. Take your time to answer the questions and ask your own questions too!