Audit Associate Review

I really enjoyed my placement with Grant Thornton, this was mainly due to the fact that from the start I was given responsibility within a range of tasks. Throughout the year, I had the opportunity to get involved with lots of different projects that were outside the day to day role but meant that my time with Grant Thornton was enriched.

I felt extremely value by colleagues at all levels. From my peers, at similar levels, there seemed to be lots of mutual respect and an environment was created in which everyone was there to help everyone else. From those more senior than myself, I felt that they really appreciated the amount of effort that went into every piece of work, this was sometimes through a simple thank you but other times showing appreciation in other ways such as the internet rewards system.

I felt supported throughout, not only by my people manager but everyone at a more senior level than myself. I felt that the culture was one in which they wanted everyone to achieve their best and therefore lay the groundwork in order to make sure this happened. I also felt that there was always somebody on hand to help you out even if you were not directly working with them.

There were fluctuations throughout the year, some times throughout the year, it would be extremely busy, this was due to National Deadlines approaching and then at other times of the year it was more relaxed and there wasn't as much work to do. I think it would be beneficial to do more planning for the year end deadlines, so that when they come around it's not a hectic.

I was given a lot of responsibility from the start, this meant that by a few months in a had a really good grasp on the main concepts and throughout the rest of the year, I really got to hone in getting to grips with the smaller bits. By the time I finished, I feel like I had the chance to really take ownership over my work.

Grant Thornton has an internal training facility called Bradenham Manor, which I was able to go a few times over my year. The training received there made me more competent in my role and more confident. I also learnt more soft skills throughout the year that I will be able to easily translate to my degree for my final year and will prove useful in the future.

The general atmosphere was a really nice and welcoming one. From my first day I felt really welcomed and that everyone had my best interests at heart, wanting to make the most out of this year. There was the opportunity to get involved with lots of different projects within different teams, which was something that I wasn't sure would be facilitated. There were also many opportunities to connected with other members of staff outside of the office which I felt strengthened the office.

The general atmosphere was a really nice and welcoming one. From my first day I felt really welcomed and that everyone had my best interests at heart, wanting to make the most out of this year. There was the opportunity to get involved with lots of different projects within different teams, which was something that I wasn't sure would be facilitated. There were also many opportunities to connected with other members of staff outside of the office which I felt strengthened the office.

The company invested lots of training and development in me, right from the start to end. Throughout my placement I had the opportunity to attend lots of different workshops which were arranged and if there was one which I believed would help my development, I was encouraged to attend even if it wasn't one that I was initially sign up to attend.

The employment prospects seem to be very appealing, with the offer of a graduate job at the end. I had also spoken with others who had completed a placement with Grant Thornton and returned saying that they felt supported by them in their final year of university when they weren't visible to the company directly.

There were so many social activities that when on throughout the year, from the start to help those of us who were new integrate into the company and then regularly throughout the year to keep the team socialising. There were special placement socials which were a nice opportunity to connect with the other across the country

I was in a slightly beneficial position as I lived at home for the year and didn't have to pay rent. This meant that my cost of living was significantly lower than others. Living in London is extremely expensive and even though I didn't pay rent, I was spending a lot of money that I don't usually at University.I was in a slightly beneficial position as I lived at home for the year and didn't have to pay rent. This meant that my cost of living was significantly lower than others. Living in London is extremely expensive and even though I didn't pay rent, I was spending a lot of money that I don't usually at University.

Being in the centre of London meant that there were a really high number of places to go out and we were spoilt for choice.

Yes, the company allows everyone a free day of volunteering. There is also a national company football tournament that occurs every year.