Corporate Assistant Review

I work in audit so the role typically includes conducting fieldwork and testing of balances to gain assurance over figures which make up the client's financial statements. On a day-to-day basis, I would usually spend time communicating with the clients (email, calls and in person meetings) to gain support and responses to queries over balances in their accounts. There is also a lot of internal communication with my own team to discuss approaches and solve problems in our audit work. Each audit there is usually a team work allocation and I would be responsible for carrying out the fieldwork in specific areas on the allocation and supporting any junior staff as well.

I came in to the job with very limited knowledge of business and finance based on my educational background so it has been a steep learning curve. Through the ACA exams I have taken and the job role itself you quickly pick up new technical skills (e.g. double entry bookkeeping) which are used every day in the role and applied to the work being carried out. I have also developed my skills using excel as this is fairly key in the role.

I really enjoy the role. It can be stressful and highly pressurised at times particularly balancing the work alongside studying for exams however overall I find the work interesting and the people are great. You have a real opportunity to prove yourself and gain a lot of responsibility in a short amount of time.

The programme is well organised with an exam pathway given to you on starting showing key dates and study bookings. Since there are large cohorts on the same pathways there are lots of people at work to go to with queries as well as the designated professional development teams we have.

I receive a good amount of support from my line manager and many of my client manager's. They are appreciative of when you have exams approaching and you are not able to work late due to study requirements. There are designated drop ins run by my employer for any queries or help I might require.

The training provider provides good study materials and online resources to help when working towards exams. The revision courses we have immediately before exams are key to exam success.

The qualification is key to better performance in the role. Through the exams you develop the technical knowledge and understanding to apply to the role and passing through the exams and qualifications has allowed me to approach more complex areas of work and understand a lot more within my day to day role.

We have a lot of social events. Christmas parties, team drinks and meals, quarterly socials, summer sports socials and there are a lot of societies that run in the office after the working day. There are also options to get involved in networking such as graduate recruitment fairs and assessment centres for prospective joiners.

Yes

The culture and the people are great. I enjoy my role, I have learnt so much since joining and I look forward to going to work. In the role there are expectations on you to perform as an individual and you should be prepared to work long hours at times particularly when working towards deadlines.

Read around the company and role you are applying for and be aware of any topical issues surrounding the industry. Be prepared to work hard and put the hours in both in the role and when working towards the qualifications (ACA) it is not easy and takes a lot of commitment to pass the exams.