Audit Intern Review

Overall I really enjoyed my placement year at EY. I found the work I was doing interesting and varied. I enjoyed the teams I was a part of and the social side with colleagues. Also there was a number of activities outside of my usual audit line such as school events and industry talks that I got involved in.

From the very start of the placement I was given my own accounts to audit and own responsibilities within the team. This made me feel valued as I was given real responsibility to contribute towards the team’s goal. As I progressed throughout my placement this developed as the responsibility increased.

The Support and guidance provided was overall of a very high quality but would vary between audit teams. I found that some individuals were happy to take a significant amount of time to walk me through tasks and would explain in a clear way. However, on some teams the onerous would be a lot more on me to ask for support than to be provided with support.

Overall I was very busy throughout my placement, you are expected to work significantly longer than 9-5:30 during busy periods. You are given a lot of work to complete however you are also well supported by your teams and I never felt like the workload was too much. EY encourage flexible working which means even during busy periods it is encouraged to manage your own time in order to enhance the work life balance.

I was given a lot of responsibility right from the start. I was expected to manage my own time and interact with the client regularly. As I progressed I was given more responsibility with more difficult accounts and ended up spending time on the client site by myself towards the end of my placement.

I think the skills I developed are very transferable in the future. At the beginning of my placement I spent 4 weeks in college where I took two chartered accountancy exams. This will certainly help during my final year. I also learnt lots about communication with the client and managers which will be transferable in all future careers.

Working within Audit I spent most of my time out at the client site. This varied on the size of the audit team and culture of the client. When I was in the office it was a relaxed atmosphere with hot desking and dress down Fridays both being in place.

The placement started with an introduction in London and 4 weeks in college in London. I felt EY should have provided more information before I started my placement especially surrounding how college would work/where I was staying and what could be expensed. Once I started my actual work in the regional office it was very organised. I had my counsellor and buddy who would guide me through any organisation problems I had. Along, with a resourcing manager who would organise the jobs I was on.

The training provided was excellent. I spent four weeks at college in London to learn general accountancy, a week away training with other placement students to learn the basics of audit and a further two day training course to develop what I’d learnt mid-way through the year. There is also significant levels of on the job training provided by colleagues.

Very appealing. I hope to complete my accountancy certification with EY once I return after university.

Within my region I was the only placement student in my sector however there was a good social scene among the first year graduates who I became friends with. The organisation often subsidies theatre and gig tickets, there was also a Christmas and summer party however I believe they could of put on more events such as after work drinks.

The cost of living is quite high in Bristol however not as expensive as London. That being said you are not reimbursed with a higher wage as you are in London. This could be improved.

Brilliant, Bristol has a variety of clubs, bars and live music

There are many opportunities to get involved in: recruitment events, activities with local schools, football and netball teams, voluntary races and fund raisers. I personally got involved in a Dragon’s Den style event which encouraged local primary school students to get creative with healthy food ideas and pitch them to dragons.