Intern: Audit Review

4 week internship. The first week was spent on inductions and mandatory training courses. After the first week of training, the remaining three weeks were spent on three activities. The majority of the time was spent on client work, working on real audit engagements with actual clients. Secondly, there was a challenge in which interns across the firm were assigned to work with a social organisation and recommend improvements to growth strategy, sustainability and marketing. Finally, there was roughly 10 hours in mandatory training courses to complete by the end of the internship.

- Development of Excel skills (Vlookup and SUMIF formulas). Also learning many short-cuts used in Excel that have wider applicability. - Learning new financial and audit related terminology. - Client relationship skills - how to interact with clients professionally. - Use of PwC's audit related technologies such as Aura and Connect. I learnt how to navigate and independently use such software. - Networking skills: I learnt how to build a network of work colleagues across the firm, lines of service, and seniority.

Yes. From an early stage I was given responsibilities to engage in real-world client work. This involved independently using software and doing testing to various areas of financial statements. I was also given the responsibility to directly engage and interact with the clients. To do this, i utilised various media, such as email, Google Meets and Connect. My interactions were not mediated and was given the responsibility to proactively reach out to clients. Overall a lot of trust and responsibility was given to me. i am grateful for the trust shown in me and other interns.

The first week was solely dedicated to our training in various forms. This involved both general guidance over firm policies as well as more specific service line training for 3 days. Following this, i was given support and guidance from my work buddy and career coach in both client work and pastoral matters. The guidance was often based on me asking rather than it being set out for me in advance. However, overall the staff were incredibly generous with their time to support myself.

There was an excellent company culture. My team were incredibly supportive and generous with their time. they would take out time from their own day and work to help me. The general atmosphere in the office was also very relaxed and conducive to better productivity. At no point did i feel uncomfortable in my surroundings. I was given a comprehensive tour on arrival on the first day. People were always very helpful when i had any questions to ask. However, in general, you have to be proactive and ask for help first.

Overall i really enjoyed the internship. It was the first internship that i have done in my career and felt it was an excellent introduction to understanding corporate culture and work. I learnt a lot, not only in audit work directly, but also wider skills such as developing my interpersonal and networking skills. I did not really enjoy the audit work itself, but that is more the result of my own personal interests more than anything else.

Yes

The main piece of advice, as i have been told by many PwC employees is to be proactive and ask questions. Every single member of staff that i have asked for support has been extremely helpful and considerate. I would also say to apply to a line of service that you would actually seriously consider wanting to do for a graduate scheme. My only regret is having applied for audit as it was not really a career option I would have taken. Despite this, i have learnt a lot and made many friends here at PwC.