Audit Trainee Review

I personally feel by going on the insight it enabled me to see what life was like as an auditor. I was at the same client for my whole time on the Summer School, which allowed me to gain greater exposure of auditing a company as I could see all the different processes you have to go through.

Everyone at BDO was so friendly and took time out of their work to get to know you. Everyone I came across was happy to help you if you had any problems and the environment in the workplace was very relaxed which was nice to see.

I was assigned a buddy and a counselling manager whilst I was on the Summer School at BDO. My buddy showed me around the office and would regularly email me asking if I was ok. I had a meeting with my counselling manager at the start of my time at BDO where we discussed setting objectives in what I wanted to get out of my time at BDO. He also turned up to the clients offices where I was working every so often, checking if I understood my tasks. Whilst I was actually at the clients office, I had a senior who would essentially look after me whilst I was there. She would set me work and help me if I needed any help or had any issues. Therefore I have rated guidance 9 as there were various people I could speak to if I ever had an issue.

I believe the skills I have developed whilst at BDO will assist me greatly in the future. It has allowed me to see what auditors do and I now have a greater understanding of accounting terminology.

I felt as if the insight was very well structured. I spent my first day in London, where all the BDO Summer School students from all over England met and had an induction into the company. On the second day, I had an induction into the Manchester Office (where I was based) and given the details of where I would be for the next couple of weeks, For the rest of week one and for the second week up to Thursday I was at the clients office where I was gaining experience of auditing. Then on the Friday I had an interview with a Partner about my time over the last two weeks.

The atmosphere at BDO was fantastic! The office is open planned and the departments are divided up. However, within your department you could be sat next to virtually anyone, even a partner! Every member of staff who I met was friendly and actually tried to get to know you, which is one of the reasons I applied for BDO as everyone is treated with the same respect.

Considering I was only there for two weeks we did not do any training. However before we started we were given an appraisal pack by our counselling manager where we would set some objectives as to what we wanted to gain from this experience. Then on your last day you would review these objectives and see if you have met them. You were also given feedback from BDO on what were your strengths and also some constructive feedback as to what you could do to improve.

Since the BDO Summer School lasted for two weeks, it was long enough to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with BDO. I was with a client for the majority of my time at the Summer School and so would be working with my team from 9 until approximately 530 each day. I actually felt like I was full-time employee when I was with the clients, as I was constantly kept busy, carrying out work for the client which would then be reviewed by my senior.

On your first day at the Summer School, all Summer School students are invited to London where you are given an induction into BDO. BDO then give you a presentation on the company values and its history. So early on, you are made aware of the company culture. However, it is obvious that the people who work for BDO have bought into the company culture as everyone is treated with respect and you are not just seen as a number.

With my Summer School I was never asked to make coffee or do some photocopying, I was actually set work which was auditing related. This meant I was actually able to carry out auditing work and see if becoming an audit is something I wanted to do in the future. On top of this, I was put on a job where BDO were auditing a client as well, so I gained real life exposure of the auditing process. Therefore the content of the day was extremely valuable in deciding my future career path.

The first day of the summer school was in London and so a senior manager got in touch with me before my summer school and booked my train tickets down to London and back up to Manchester. I then had to buy a travel card in London, which I claimed back through expenses. The process of claiming back expenses is also very quick which was good. Then the client I was working with was based just outside of Manchester and so the client paid for the petrol from my house to the clients office. However when paying for your mileage they deduct the cost of your normal commute from your house to the Manchester Office from the mileage.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend. I believe that the Summer School is the perfect way to see if accounting or the particular stream in accounting is for you. I was able to carry out auditing related tasks and observe other auditors at work. I believe that by doing the BDO Summer School there can only be positive outcome- either you enjoy your time ( like me!) and decide this is what you want to do in the future, or you decide it is not for you and it has therefore prevented you applying for a full time job in something which you will soon dislike.