Audit Trainee Review

Performing audit testing in the planning, execution and completion stages of the audit, working on various financial statement areas (revenue, overheads, cost of sales, payroll, (other) debtors, (other) creditors, fixed assets, cash, share capital, inventory, intercompany, sales taxes, commitments and contingencies etc.), attending and conducting stock takes at client premises

Developed technical skills through completing exams as part of the ACA qualification (accounting, assurance, principals of tax, law, managment information, business technology and finance, financial accounting and reporting, tax compliance, audit and assurance, business planning taxation, business strategy and technology, financial management thus far). Developed on the job skills such as communication and teamwork.

I do enjoy my programme as there is a lot of variety in the work performed between different jobs and clients. I also enjoy learning new technical skills through completing the ACA exams. However, it can be very challenging at times trying to balance the workload of both at the same time.

It is very well organised and structured in terms of the qualification. As it is a 3 years programme our exams are planned out from the start, however, there has been disruption to this due to COVID. It is less organised in terms of the on job skills as it is dependent on what jobs you are on with what people to the level of exposure you get to different areas of testing.

In respect exams and any personal issues that have occurred, there is an abundance of support available, mainly through my counselling manager and the manager responsible for exams and dealing with professional qualifications. There is less support in respect to the actual job as you are expected to just get on with your work at times.

During exam season we are contacted by email to check up on our progress for each exam we are taking. We take some exams via online classroom which is made up of pre recorded lectures and we take some exams in college however this has moved to online classroom live during the pandemic. We are able to contact our tutors for help and are able to submit mock exams to be marked and returned to us.

The qualification helps me to perform better in my role as it enables me to understand the technicalities behind the work we are performing. Also specifically in audit I would say the main skill developed which I use in my job most frequently is from the financial accounting and reporting exam which enables me to understand how to make and post adjustments to clients financial statements when they are misstated.

Yes , although this has been affected by COVID. Pre COVID we at BDO participated in the NCASS (Nottingham Chartered Accountants Society) netball league along with other accountancy firms local to the area. Also we attend the NCASS Christmas ball. Since lockdown virtual events such as a virtual cocktail making Teams session have taken place.

Yes

At BDO you get the opportunity to expand your network, develop valuable skills such as teamwork and communication all whilst working towards a highly regarded professional qualification (ACA) which is fully funded by the firm. The people at BDO are what makes it special and makes it stand out from the crowd.

Be honest and yourself as if you try and be somebody else they will see right through it and even if they don't it might mean the job isn't right for you if you are successful. Make sure you do your research not only so you are ready to answer any interview questions but also to make sure your values align with BDO.