Intern - Internal Audit Review

I enjoyed it very much. I was fortunate enough to be placed in a team working on a very interesting audit. I learned a lot about various areas of the bank, legislation and audit methodology. The time I joined was also very interesting for the bank, since it was just after brexit referendum.

My colleagues were fantastic! I felt really valued, they were keen to discuss any work-related issues with me and take my comments on board.We often had lunches together and I was invited to after-work social events. I joined cycling community too. I received a lot of positive comments from my audit team and the issues I raised were taken seriously.

I was given regular feedback by my line managers and team members. The work I performed was regularly reviewed and I was given comments of how to improve it. I was encouraged to ask as many questions as I wanted what was fantastic since audit, finance and big corporate were all new to me. On the days when my line manager was not in the office he called me to give guidance and was always available to respond to my messages.

On the top of your audit responsibilities you are given number of internship programme tasks such as group project, report, charity project. This means that even if there is less work in your team at particular times you will rarely be bored. There is also number of non compulsory presentations and learning opportunities if you don't have much to do. My audit-specific workload varied. Audit planning stage is usually less intensive and there is more work during fieldwork and reporting stages.

I was assigned to an important audit and treated no different than a new-joiner or a person on graduate scheme. I worked on the documentation, took part in meetings were I had opportunity to ask questions. Of course with no expertise or experience I could not conduct the audit myself but working on something real felt good. As a group project we prepared communication strategy and supporting documents for a HR scheme. It will be launched in September.

I developed number of general skills such as effective written and verbal communication, writing reports. I received a lot of feedback on the quality of my work, my strengths and weaknesses. All of these will be useful for the rest of my degree and beyond. Audit helps to develop critical, risk-based thinking which is useful no matter what your future plans are.

You would be surprised but auditors can be really fun and chatty. At times people were really busy and needed to focus on their work but in general it was really good. Importantly no one expects you to work 12 hours a day - most people go home between 5-6 what means that you still have some time after work to enjoy Edinburgh (which is the best), socialize or do whatever you want.

The recruitment process was very long (but similar to other companies), which I did not enjoy. After telephone interview I was told that I did well but I still had to wait couple months before I got an invitation to the assessment centre. Internship itself is organized very well. You will have to be screened before you start. Induction days are very informative and helpful. You will get an induction pack containing all the important info. Systems will be set up and ready for you. Expectations are clear and well explained

Let us be honest, value added by interns in financial firms is not huge, so training and development is a very important part. On the internship you will take part in coaching/feedback sessions, you will complete e-learning and projects which main purpose is your development. You will be given time to learn whatever you need for the audit you are doing. Sessions run by the internship programme team (lunch&learn sessions, presentation skills workshops, tours) are valuable and enjoyable.

RBS offers places on Graduate Programme to many interns and it is not competitive so everyone who is good enough will be offered a place. If the business area you joined for the internship is not necessarily suitable for you, you can negotiate place on other programme with Early Career, provided you are a good candidate. Graduate Programme (t least in Audit) offers good pay and fantastic training opportunities (including chartered accountancy professional qualification).

I got to know other interns for IA very well. We went for lunches, dinners and some Fringe shows together. Interns studying outside of Edinburgh tended to socialize more.

Edinburgh city centre is relatively expensive, especially during Fringe festival. However it is nothing compared to London. the further from centre the cheaper it gets. You have to spend 400-500 on accommodation and ~50 on transport to Gogarburn. restaurant prices vary but you can have a nice dinner for 10-15 (+drinks). There are some clubs with free entry but you don't want to go there! The better ones cost 5-10. To sum up, if you don't go out every night you will be able to save fair bit of money.