Audit Assistant Review

I really enjoyed my summer internship at the Newcastle KPMG office. My colleagues were very friendly and encouraging. It was a great insight into Audit and how a big four professional services firm works. You are given a high level of responsibility from day 1 which sometimes involves working late to ensure everything is completed. The social side is also very lively!

From the first day you are given a buddy and a performance manager who oversee your time at the firm. They are there to ensure that everything runs smoothly and you can get the most out of your experience. In Audit you will work in different teams for a variety of projects; especially towards the end of your internship you will be given your own allocation of work to be completed. This results in you really feeling part of the team.

Following every job I completed, I asked for feedback to enable me to learn and improve my performance. Throughout jobs, senior colleagues would offer advice for better ways to complete tasks. As you are not given prior training, everything is learnt on the job. The other graduates on my jobs were very helpful showing my the ropes.

At the beginning of the internship, there were times when I was waiting for the graduate to finish their tasks to be able to show me the next one, so there were times when you are less busy. However towards the end of the internship I had my own work allocation so was managing my own time so was busy all the time.

At the beginning you are given tasks to complete then other team members would oversee your work once it is finished to ensure it is completed to a high standard. From day 1, I was asked to see the client to discuss tasks which is an integral part of the day to day job. Towards the end of the placement, I was allocated certain areas of the audit to complete myself.

The skills developed were vital for my career in audit. I was offered the graduate job for next year so having completed my internship this has set me up in good stead to start the graduate program. The skills gained are varied, from communication skills to technological skills, this has enabled me to develop my current skills and learn new skills

I wasn't in the office very often as lots of audit work is client based. When I was in the office, there is generally a good atmosphere. Everyone is very friendly and because Newcastle is a small office, most people know each other. Everyone goes for lunch together with the people who are in the office. The social side is good and is well organised.

It was well organised, everything was ready for us to start on the first day. Our laptops were set up for when we arrived. We were given 4/5 different projects for the 6 week internship, we were given these on our first day. We were also given our partner interview date on the first day. We completed a Corporate Responsibility day which was also well set up.

KPMG provide you with a laptop which is vital to complete the work. Much of the training is on the job training so learning from your colleagues is integral. The colleagues within the teams I worked with invested a lot of time to explain things and teach you about specific areas. This is important to ensure you complete your work allocation.

Very appealing. I got offered a job on the graduate scheme for the following year. To be invited for your partner interview, you must perform well throughout your internship. Providing you perform well, each intern is eligible for the partner interview which is the final step towards a job offer!

The social scene in Newcastle is very well organised by the Social Committee. When I was there I went on a Boat Party from the Quayside, there were a variety of people from the Partners to the secretaries. They organise balls, nights out and trips to the races. If you want to get involved in the social scene it is there for the taking!

During my internship, I lived at home so didn't pay for accommodation. The cost of socialising in Newcastle is very reasonable! There is a wide range of accommodation near the office for varying budgets.

The nightlife in Newcastle is great. There are a variety of places to go such as nightclubs, bars and cocktail places. There is a night out for everyone!

Outside of work I played on the KPMG Newcastle Netball team. They play once every 1-2 weeks. They have mixed netball and a girls Netball team so it is definitely something to get involved in.