Audit Intern Review

I found my internship very enjoyable, the people at Grant Thornton helped to make this experience. Everyone was happy to help and support me when needed and were all really friendly. I enjoyed getting the exposure of different aspects of Grant Thornton, such as the couple of weeks in tax as well as going to Bradenham Manor and the conference in London.

I felt my colleagues valued and appreciated my work. Whilst out on a client site, my in-charge asked me back for the second week and even said how they would not have been able to complete the audit without me which made me feel like a valued member of the team. As well as this, everyone in the office was happy to give me work which made me feel capable and confident.

My line manager was extremely helpful and supportive. He made sure we had regular catch ups to ensure I was on target for my goals. This helped me to get the most out of my experience at Grant Thornton as it meant I was asking everyone I worked with for feedback as well as trying to gain client exposure. He organised for me to shadow a partner for the day as well as running through my presentation with me for practice.

Whilst working in audit, I had a constant jobs to complete especially when working on the client site. However, whilst in the tax department the work did not come as frequently which could make the day seem quite slow. However, it gave me time to work on my presentation and research my topic.

I feel I was challenged and pushed throughout my internship. Whilst out on the client site, I was given a couple of sections of the audit to complete myself. This was quite daunting at first but help was also provided if needed. I would have liked more responsibility whilst working in the tax department as I don’t feel I got to experience what it is really like.

The skills developed will help me in my future career choice. Grant Thornton was a great firm to work for as I feel I now know what it is like to work for a large company. My business and financial knowledge has improved which will be invaluable in the future.

The atmosphere was very relaxed and friendly. It was great for a new comer as you were welcomed into the office and always had someone around to ask if you were stuck. By being able to wear casual clothing I think improved the relax feel and made everyone comfortable and happier in the office. There was always some free food or something going on in the office and always someone to talk to so was never boring.

I think the programme was run really well. I liked how we received three days training in our first week as I didn't have accountancy knowledge prior to the internship. I was happy that we got exposure into different departments which I think was organised very well. Everything was delivered in an informal and relaxed way and we had a clear plan of what our six weeks would like.

We had a 2 days training and introduction course in the Finsbury Square in London office. This outlined what the role was about and encouraged us to network with other interns from around the country. We also had presentational skills training at Grant Thornton's training centre in High Wycombe for 2 days.

There is great appeal to go on from this internship to work at Grant Thornton. I hope to secure a graduate placement in order to work after I finish University. This then would go on to support a future career in accountancy at Grant Thornton as I have really enjoyed working at this firm and would like to in the future.

Everyone at the reading office was very friendly and there were often out of work activities. For the interns this included welcome drinks at a bar in Reading in order to meet people before the internship started. The firm also organises days out for employees at places like top golf. The interns all got on well and we had a couple of nights out in Reading.

I lived at home during the course of the my internship which meant I could save the money I was earning. It was great for me as the office was a fifteen minute drive and there was parking on site. Without a car there is a train station a two minute walk away and reading town centre is not far. Depending on nights and which bars it is typically student prices as it is a student area. No as expensive as London prices!

The nightlife is good in Reading. There are quite a few clubs and bars that are suitable for everyone. The interns went on a night out during the internship to experience the night life and all had a great time and had a few stories to share the morning after! Definitely a great way to get to know each other!

There were not many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work, I think it would have been hard to organise something specifically in the six weeks we were here as time went so fast and we were settling in to working life. I think there were enough internal events and things going on in the office that activities outside of work were not necessarily needed.