Trainee Associate Review

Our role includes going to college to work towards our ACA qualification as well as working in Audit and Assurance. We perform audit for some of the largest UK companies and work on areas such as cash, fixed assets and accruals during the first years of work. You are always closely monitored.

Since joining you will rapidly develop your computer skills including programs such as excel, work where you learn shortcuts and tricks to speed up processes. You also build strong team work skills while working in audit as all tasks are team based as your work is always reviewed by a senior team member.

The program gives a good blend of college as well as work. It allows you to gain great work experience for one of the biggest account firms while also working towards your professional qualification such as ACA. College is performed by a high standard provider which you always have support for.

The program consists of internal training, such as when you first join you are taught the basics for what you need to know in audit and assurance. There is also external training such as the college work while working towards ACA. Finally you spend a large amount of time working in Audit and Assurance.

EY provides support for all situations. The teams I have worked on have been very supportive when I have had exam coming up and have needed to take leave during busy periods to prepare for exams. EY also provide a range of support and sport societies to provide support to employees outside of work.

Kaplan have access to tutors 24/7 and have a live chat during the day. This allows students to contact the college at any time while studying towards your qualification. This support is appreciated as you don't always study during the day due to work and might be revising in evening after work.

The modules that we work on as part of ACA relate well to Audit and Assurance. You tart with basic accounting which is essential for audit and assurance as you learn the basics of how businesses finance works. ACA is very linked with the work we perform and therefore is important.

EY offers a range of sports activities for its employees. During the COVID-19 pandemic these have not been able to run and therefore I have not been able to see these in action, but I am aware there are a large number of difference clubs for different abilities to join.

Yes

EY is a great opportunity and a great company to have gained work experience on. you work on some of the largest UK companies and that experience is extremely valuable for future jobs in finance and accounting. Also EY offers good pay for the age and role you work in.

The application process is long and not easy to get a place however if you perform your research about EY and some of its largest clients that shows when you are speaking to employees during the application process. This is a great way to show you are serious about the role.