Audit - Corporate Assitant Review

I am a senior trainee auditor. Daily I speak with clients to gain an understanding of their business and request documentation to perform audit procedures, such as reperforming calculations and agreeing detail to source documentation Procedures are determined by myself or by the manager above me. I review the work of more junior trainees, manage my own time and workload and report directly to the assistant managers above me.

The most transferrable skills I have developed during the job are communication skills regarding liaising with clients, supporting junior staff and reporting to managers and senior staff. My accounting and assurance skills have been developed through regularly weekly training sessions and the accounting qualification that my job sponsors, of which I have completed 12 of the 15 exams.

I enjoy the responsibility of helping teach the more junior staff how to perform audit tasks. I particularly like my colleagues and I enjoy working with them. I also enjoy working in a client facing role. I enjoy my accounting qualification and appreciate that my workplace is accommodates working, studying and maintain a life- balance. I find audit itself somewhat enjoyable but the tasks are repetitive.

The programme is well structured, with lots of trainees following similar pathways, so that you have cohorts of employees in similar positions. You can see your progression clearly, with 6 exams taken in each year and a promotion annually. However, when I joined the firm I was informed I would be able to complete my programme in a reduced period, which was found out to not be possible about 18 months into the programme.

I feel that I would appreciate having more specific training from joining on the full audit process and how to manage an audit from start to finish. Starting recently, I receive regular training every week to support me in my role, and my employer is good at requesting feedback on what training we want.

My taining provider is very supportive. The teachers will stay late after class to discuss queries, and they have an online platform for answering questions which tutors reply to quickly. I also made use of the training providers helpline when I felt like my mental health was suffering from stress of exams.

The skills and behaviours essays required by my qualification have helped me consider the skills I have learnt and gain confidence in my role. The qualification has taught me valuable accounting and assurance skills that ensure I understand what is required of me by managers and therefore be able to problem solve more efficiently and independently.

I am a member of the social committee at work. As part of this we have organised a range of socials. So far in 2023, we have arranged bowling, a painting class, a charity dinner, and a cocktail night. Back in November I went to the Bristol networking dinner for all accounting trainees in the city, which my company regularly will buy tickets for a table at.

Yes

I believe that Mazars provides a good balance of working for a big firm with a recognisable name and good clients, while not overworking their employees. I am able to gain good experience and a good qualification, while maintaining a good work life balance, and I enjoy working with my colleagues.

Working in a client facing role requires a level of confidence and self assurance so in any interviews and assessment centre days I would recommend speaking up as much as possible, while not attempting to overshadow other people. I would really consider which service line you want to work in as they are all really different, but will all enable you to be supported through a good qualification.