Audit Associate Review

So, there’s 3-4 stages of an audit and what you do day-to-day depends which client you’re on and the audit stage. My first client job was on responding to risks and this is what we called the fieldwork stage of an audit. This stage involves assessing different identified risk and testing different financial statement assertions e.g completeness, existence etc. Auditors in simple terms inspect an organisations financial accounts.

Yes!!! Loads, especially excel. I was so bad at excel, but now I’m getting morning confident with it and utilising things such a pivot tables, X LOOKUP, IF statements in excel and so much more! I’ve also had the opportunity to learn and use different digital audit tools which has been great. Grant Thornton is really supportive when it comes to your training and development. I’ve also developed my soft skills, most importantly communication. I even spoke to the client alone on my first client job, it was nerve wracking at first but they’re people just like you.

I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship so far. It’s a challenge but I believe that’s what makes it more enjoyable. I learn something new everyday, everyday is a learning and development opportunity which is great. It’s nice being able to work with like minded individuals who have the same goals as you, people who are motivated and actually want to succeed. It’s refreshing to see.

My programme is 100% well structured. All the training dates, study/ exam dates are set well in advance so there’s no issues there. You can plan your holidays in advance around work and study because of this which is really important as it’s healthy to have some free time and not be working all the time.

Lots!! There’s a huge support system at Grant Thornton. I think the thing that drew me into the firm is that employees aren’t treated like numbers who are easily replaceable, we’re treated like actual people and I feel valued here. There’s people here who really want you to succeed, so I have no complaints when it comes to the support I receive from my employer.

My training provider is First Intuition as opposed to the common BPP or Kaplan. First Intuition has been amazing. My tutor is always on hand to answer all my queries, and I don’t get anxious to ask questions because the tutors genuinely care and are so happy to help. I’ve already sat one exam and currently studying for my second. The level of teaching at First Intuition is also amazing. The tutors have been through the ACA themselves so they know exactly what it’s like.

The ACA is closely related to work within Audit. You need the ACA to perform well within Audit, and you need Audit experience to help support you throughout the ACA. A lot of the modules I learn is closely related to my day to day job, the one thing you’ll hear a lot in audit is professional skepticism which you learn about in the ACA. There’s loads of key audit terminology thrown around but I feel like doing the ACA exams helps me understand them more.

There’s plenty of extra-curricular activities!!! There’s social activities such as start of month drinks where you get to socialise and network with people within the firm (even if you don’t drink) lots of people enjoy coming to these events. There’s also football teams where all the offices regionally meet up to play. There’s networks within the firm you can join such as the Christian/ Muslim network, LGBTQ and lots more. There’s something for everyone here!

Yes

The most important thing to me is feeling valued, being at a firm where I’m supported every step of the way, feeling like I actually belong and deserve to be here. This is what Grant Thornton is to me, there’s lots of opportunities to learn and grow. You’re not forced to be someone you’re not, you can be yourself and have fun. I see myself long term. The firms values align with my own and I believe Grant Thornton is a great place to work.

BE YOURSELF!!! Do not focus on what technical skills you don’t have, this can be taught. Focus rather on your soft skills, what makes you, you. What are your strengths and how can it help you succeed at Grant Thornton. Let your passion and personality shine through. Think about how well you align with Grant Thornton’s CLEARR values, and how does the firms values align with yours. Ask yourself, why do you really want an apprenticeship as opposed to the traditional university route. Make it personal, don’t be generic.