Audit Partnership Review

The office wasn't particularly exciting. The location is very remote - and despite it being full of placement students and graduates, talking to colleagues away from your desk isn't permited. I used to look forward to going to the printer or to the toilet as one of the only opportunities to stretch ones legs. Team meetings are weekly and are usually held at your desk. It's very rare to have to leave your desk for anything but the obvious.

There was a formal training programme in place, but don't expect to have much to write about in a dissertation. A manager one referred to placement students as "cheap labour". When you see that most of the staff are made up of placement students and the salaries that are paid this rings true. Personal development is an afterthought - making money for the company is the priority.

The 2 week formal training is really to familiarise yourself with the company systems and processes - very little transferable audit skills. The internal development program is a joke. We did a total of 3 sessions in 12 months - each very basic. I remember one was entitied "the importance of feedback". I don't think there was anything anyone in the room didn't know.

Poor. The starting graduate salaries are <£20,000. There are very little opportunities for development. Some highly talented individuals remained at the company over 3 years without promotion. There are very few roles for promotion - those that are often occur by being friendly with management or HR. A role in HR wasn't even advertised - simply award to an individual on a personal friendship.

The number of graduates and placement students did result in making lots of friends and some great nights out in both York and Leeds. This is without doubt the best aspect of Audit Partnership. I've made lots of friends I'll stay in touch with.

Yorkshire is generally not too expensive. The pubs and clubs in York, Leeds and Harrogate aren't cheep, but less than London prices. Rent on the Acomb side of York (nearer the office) was pricey, but did result in a shorter commute. Rent on the student side of York (Tang Hall) was cheaper but results in a long commute. Likewise Leeds is a long drive to work. The salary isn't competitive - so don't expect to live well.

York and Leeds where most people lived had an excellent nightlife. Plenty of pubs and clubs around - Wetherby & Tockwith near the office are dead - with no nightlife at all.

A couple of activiyies took place - such as paintball, office meals and nights out. These were primarily centred on Leeds which is great if you live in Leeds, but not ideal if you live in York.