Audit Assistant Review

I really have enjoyed my work placement. I have enjoyed all aspects of External Audit and this has year has confirmed to me that this is the type of job I would like following Graduation. This would rate this experience higher but it was frustrating at times because other people who started at the same time as me would receive more internal training than myself. I understand this is because they did not want to invest too heavily in me as I was always going to be returning to University after 12 months.

From the very first day I have been made to feel like part of the group. Not only is everyone very welcoming within work hours the firm makes great effort to have a social event for the new starters which allowed me to solidify some of the friendships I was making within the office.

In general, I was able to approach managers and supervisors whenever I needed help. The firm has a core value of stewardship and this evident from the attitudes of other members of staff. When work was being put under more time pressures there were rare occasions where more senior members of staff would be less helpful however this is understandable.

This was mixed. Work I did tended come about in weekly chunks as this would be the time I would spend on one client. This meant that soem weeks I would be exceptionally busy. the flip side to this is that there has been occassions where I have been asking for work as I hadnt been asigned any that week.

I was given appropriate responsibility for someone of my level. This was not a huge amount of responsibilities however managers did look to give you more responsibilities the more competent and familiar the work you were performing was. This I really liked. From what I could tell this continued the higher you were in the firm.

Although the skills I have learnt this year have given me a lot of applied knowledge I feel that this will aid me in preparing and writing essays as it will give me a better insight into the theory I am and have been taught whilst at university. The thing I have noticed the most how much quicker I am processing things which I was taught at university. I feel that this experience will aid me in more practical exams next year

I really enjoyed the atmosphere of my office. Other members of staff were always friendly and in majority very upbeat. This was always very nice to see as if a piece of work was going badly or not to plan people would always try their best to help. There isn't anybody in the office which I would say ruined the atmosphere

I don't think that my office had experience of work placements in the past so on occasion I think that members of staff were not quite sure what a work placement would mean for them. for example, the responsibilities that managers would have to communicate with my University. In future I don't think this will be an issue

In the first three months the company invested in me equally as all the other new starters. The only difference being they attended college and I didn't. After the first three months I was not enrolled on any more internal training. The only training I received after this was that of whole office meetings and audit meetings.

The firm offers many service lines however I think I will be attempting to get into external audit again. the company is a multi national firm with many offices within the UK. I am yet to hear whether I have a job offer with them but I remain hopeful as I have shown lots of improvements in recent months.

As an external auditor I was rarely in the office so didn't see the other placement student all that often. My colleagues at work are all very social, organising bbqs and social nights. I feel my relationship with everybody in the office is good and aim to keep in touch with them when I am back at University.

I was fortunate enough to be able to move back in with my parents as I have been working in my home town throughout my placement. Therefore living costs for me have been very cheap however if you aren't from the area housing isn't the cheapest and it is likely you would have a different opinion to me. Social costs are on par with most major cities and towns.

Bury St Edmunds is not known for its nightlife. Compared to university it is appalling. The only good thing is there is lots of Greene King pubs but in terms of bars and clubs I would not recommend unless you're prepared to travel to Norwich or Leicester where nightlife is better.

RSM are very supportive to charities. Within months of me starting there had been Zorb Football charity events. This summer I have chosen to take part in one of the offices big charity events. In August I will completing a national 3 peaks challenge with my colleagues. I have also been able to make the ost of nationwide tournaments such as 5 a side football.