Summer Vacation Scheme Student - Audit Service Line Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my insight at Deloitte. The company provided a very supportive learning environment where everyone was willing to help you grow in your understanding. I met lots of great people both students on the programme who I could share my opportunities with and graduates who were willing to provide great advice and share their experiences whilst working at Deloitte. I would say skills and information gained over the time whilst working at Deloitte exceeded my expectations.

The company make you feel very valued in the firm. They treat you as if you are a graduate from the offset giving you plenty of opportunity. I was not expecting to be given this much responsibility I thought that I'd be observing other people. However all the audits that I worked on I was set my own individual tasks and was trusted to go and speak to clients alone. Everyone is willing to help you complete your tasks and is very patient.

I was given lots of guidance and support during my time at Deloitte. Before being allowed to work on client sites I was given extensive training about what an audit is and how to work and access the companies software. During my time working on jobs all managers and associates were very helpful explaining the purposes behind processes. One manager helped me to increase my work efficiency by teaching me excel tips.

As I study Accounting and Finance the skills I learned whilst at Deloitte will help me excel in my third year at university. I did an introductory audit module in my second year at university. The work that I did whilst at Deloitte gave me the oppportunity to take theory learnt and apply it in a practical manner. I expect that when I begin my graduate role I expect this to continue during my training period.

The insight was structured reasonably well. It began with an induction session with all the regional offices which gave me a chance to meet people from all over the country. The actual work that I carried out was reasonably well structured. The only downside to the insight was that it was quite short notice knowing which job you would be put on next and where you would be going the next day.

The atmosphere was great. Everyone is very supportive of each other and willing to discuss problems faced no matter how busy they are. All the associates I met were very supportive and willing to help me as well as open to sharing experiences of working in the company. All colleagues helped to make my time at Deloitte both interesting and fun.

The company provided lots of opportunity for both training and personal development. The insight began with induction about the company and what is expected of you. After this an IT induction and audit training was provided. In terms of personal development there was so much opportunity for this. Being given lots of responsibility from the offset meant that I was able to develop initiative and also confidence to go and speak to clients and ask for help when I was stuck.

The purpose of the insight is to show you what life would be like as a graduate in the company and it really did represent that. I now feel like I have a greater understanding of what to expect when I start in a graduate position next year. I also have a greater understanding of day to day tasks that would need to be completed in the service line.

I learnt a lot about company culture whilst working at Deloitte. Although you are expected to work past your core working hours if necessary people are very happy to do so. Hard work is rewarded. Deloitte also provide lots of opportunities outside of working hours with lots of extracurricular activities on offer.

I was set individual tasks that had to be completed on my placement. The work I carried out showed me what I could expect from a career in audit on a day to day basis from the offset. Working with managers I also got the opportunity to see what it would be like in a position that would further up the career ladder.

Deloitte provided a great salary for an insight which made me feel valued as a colleague. I was also reimbursed for all my travel expenses. Working in the audit service line there is a lot of travelling involved so offering travel expenses made it easier and less stressful to travel to client sites and other regional offices.

There were a few opportunities to network and meet other employees in the firm. On the first day in the office we went to lunch with third year associates. They explained the types of things that could be expected from the job. On the last day we had coffee with a partner and he talked us through his career at Deloitte and some of the highlights of this.

The first weekend of the insight all summer vacation scheme students were sent to Birmingham for an induction. This was a great opportunity to meet other students on the scheme and make friends in our office. We were told that there would be plenty of other social event experiences over our time on the vacation scheme, however I personally did not see this.

I found out about lots of activities that employees can get involved in outside work. For example ride across Britain in which employees are given the opportunity to cycle across Britain over 10 days. I also learnt about a football tournament in Europe against Deloitte offices all over the continent. It was clear that employees have so many opportunities to do things outside work and take up on these offers.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend. There is so many chances to learn new things and meet lots of new people. The insight reached my expectations and excelled above that. I would say for anyone who is considering a career in a big four accountancy firm this insight can provide a great insight about what to expect from this.