Insight Day Review

It was an enjoyable and informative experience. We had time to even speak to senior colleagues during lunch time, such as assosciates, senior associates and managers if I remember correctly. This allowed us to get an understanding of how work is truly like as we were able to ask our questions and get a response from somebody experienced within the firm. Also we did get time to get to know and introduce one another so that made things more personalised and made everyone feel more comfortable.

I felt valued to a good extent. We were all dealt with fairly and in a professional manner by the firm’s employees despite our ages. Their was no discrimination, racism or anything of the sort. We were able to liaise with those around us in a free manner without any thought of discrimination. We were able to ask any questions when we pleased and get a proper response from any of the BDO employees. We were also given a BDO notepad and pen which were of a good quality so that made us feel better also, we left with a nice free gift.

Guidance and support were seen throughout the insight day. The speakers were very clear in the way they spoke and dealt with us, ensuring we understood the different lines of service, responsibilities and work which takes place within the firm. And as mention beforehand, we were able to ask questions at any time, specifically at lunch privately to an employee, so this allowed any misunderstandings or queries to be answered in a timely manner. We were also given contact details so that we can ask questions even later after the programme if we so wished.

The Insight Day wasn’t really about learning new skills but rather in increasing our knowledge of the firm, it’s employees and the work they do. However the knowledge gained was definitely beneficial as it allowed me to make an informed decision in which line of service I wished to pursue, that being tax as I’ve just begun recently with another firm. Also they spoke about the qualifications and the support provided which gave me an understanding useful for helping me choose which career path to pursue.

It was clearly well structured as there were no problems throughout the day as far as I remember. Each speaker came on time and had a presentation ready, allowing myself and the others to read to gain information whilst we listened also to more personalised information regarding the line of service he or she worked at. Even those who arrived early like myself were not refused, and so told to wait outside or anything like that. But we were able to sit inside at their reception area and speak with one another.

The atmosphere was good. Different people from different backgrounds were present and the knowledge held by the employees was clearly seen by the manner they conducted themselves with. Also it was a pleasant experience as we were all made to feel comfortable with the firm and those around it, being told to ask questions whenever we wished. I feel there really wasn’t much more they could have done to make things better, no complaints to be made.

They invested little bit this was no suprise as it was only an insight day. They have already invested into good comfortable furniture, BDO notepads, BDO pens and other firm merchandise for their employees, by being a visitor we were also able to utilise these existing benefits. However you can say they invested money for the process of applying online and also paid partly for travel expenses, I travelled quite a far distance so this was definitely beneficial or I wouldn’t have been able to attend.

It gave a good understanding as I learnt a lot of information of what work is done within the firm, the culture and the atmosphere. There were also many employees of different ranks and backgrounds, some Asian and some white for example which helped me see how the firm does not discriminate on ethnicity and looks but rather chooses people according to their intellectual ability and what they can provide for the firm. Also questions being answered was useful.

The company culture can only truly be understood by a person who has had experience dealing with the firms employees for at least a few weeks I would say. So although I am unable to properly comment on this, from my experience in the day I spent the culture was partially understood, just unsure of the reliability of my perception. The people seemed all welcoming and had a business mindset, wanting success in their careers by bringing value to the firm and their clients.

As spoken of earlier, content was definitely beneficial as it was clear, concise and yet informative at the same time. The most important responsibilities and duties were spoken of alongside the different networks available within the firm. This allowed myself, and I’m sure the others as well, to get a clear understanding of the company and the profession by large, allowing us to make an informed decision towards if we wished to pursue this career path or utilise our skills set elsewhere.

I travelled quite a considerable distance, over two hours by train to be exact. Fortunately the firm were reimbursing expenses otherwise I would never have chosen to embark on my journey to the site given. They reimbursed the full amount as far as I’m aware even though it cost approx. £100, this gave me a good feel regarding the firm as it showed they’re willing to spend on those which have contact with the firm, so obviously they would do more so towards those which actually work for them.

There was definitely an opportunity and this was during lunch, many people of different ethnicities, job responsibilities and rank (I.e. associate, senior associate etc.) were present. We were then able to eat and speak to who we wished at the same time, asking any questions or queries we had then having them answer truthfully. At this time also we were capable of gaining their contact details which would further help us to network even after we were no longer able to liaise with them in person.

There was network and social event opportunities which took place during lunch. It was beneficial as those which spoke to us were of different statuses within the firm and with different job responsibilities, due to being from different lines of services. This gave us a variety of people to ask questions to and so a higher chance of getting a good response. They also did or were in the process of doing different qualifications I believe, so we could’ve got a personalised response to the qualification we had intentions of doing in the future as well, asking for any advice etc.

Yes they spoke of the different networks, opportunities, volunteering and what not that occurs outside of the firm. For example the football team and tournaments which happen across the country. Also giving a certain amount of days and time to spend on volunteering at a place of your choice, this particularly was very interesting to myself as this was not something the firm had to do. Rather doing this was as the work states, voluntary, so it is always nice when a firm encourages employees to give back to those which need it.

I would recommend this insight as being a valuable insightful day in work as a BDO employee and the profession by large. However the person should know that these firms may not differ greatly on services provided but do so in other aspects. So choose wisely where you choose to pursue. The day is useful for those who wish to ask questions to actual current employees and gain a informative yet concise amount of knowledge in all the different services provided as well as a bit about the firm too.