Assurance Summer Intern (UK&I) Review

Working within a small team to help conduct the audit of a company. As an intern my day started and ended with a team meeting, where i would be given any tasks available or asked questions regarding ongoing tasks. I visited client site at least once a week, and had meetings with the client where necessary. My main tasks were checking invoices matched up with the provided or calculated information. When there was no work to do for the client, i completed online learning towards an EY badge.

I have significantly developed my excel skills, through both exposure to it in general and working towards the data analytics badge, for which i completed some Udemy courses. Additionally, the collaborative work culture at EY encourages the development of teamwork and communication skills, both of which are heavily prioritized throughout. Working closely with a client has also developed skills in this area, such as conducting professional meetings, or just collaborating with external team members. I have gathered some audit specific knowledge, through asking questions, although this isn't specifically taught, more easily picked up simply by exposure to the accounts and the client.

Not massively, although sometimes this was appreciated. We were told at the beginning that they weren't explicitly concerned about the quality of out work, rather about our attitudes towards it and out ability to ask questions and understand. For this reason there wasn't a great deal of responsibility. Although it was clear the tasks completed contributed to the whole team goal, they were simple and reviewed before being signed off. Although i was exposed to the client and had responsibility in this way, often there was limited tasks that were within my scope of ability, therefore responsibility was limited.

The support system set up throughout was great. On the first day of the induction, the mental health support services were outlined to us. And we were put in contact with our Buddy and Counselor prior to our first day. I met my buddy on the first day and he helped with setting up everything and made sure he was available to me to answer any questions. I had 3 counselor meetings through the 5 weeks, and he was also available at other times if i had problems. So the support was very welcome, and genuine.

The company culture was very good, and i enjoyed being exposed to it. The EY values are clearly important, and everyone behaves in a way aligned to this. Everyone is respected and all views are listened to. Everyone is willing to help and very friendly and approachable. There were lots of opportunities to socialise and network outside working time, including both formal organised socials and casual events. This made us feel very welcome. We also did a fundraiser during the internship, and it was clear that this cause was important to the office and they donated very generously.

Overall i did enjoy the 5 weeks. This is almost wholly down to the work environment and people i met, particularly the other interns. In terms of the work, what i did get given was interesting and valuable, but the majority of the time my team didn't have any tasks to give me. For this reason i feel like i has insufficient exposure to the industry to truly see if i could enjoy a career in this area. The culture lived up to expectations and was enjoyable, and joining with 20+ other interns was very welcome. In a different service line, i would be thrilled to return, but i'm not sure audit is my desired career path. Particularly as most of my colleagues (not interns) were being required to work overtime and even weekends to complete the work, and this is not something i would be willing to do, regardless of how good the work culture and socials are.

Yes

Be prepared for the long application process, and be flexible. There are 5 stages to the process, if you get your first choice. I switched service lines and office, because the initial application role filled up, so in this case you have to redo some of the stages of application. EY prepare you very well for day one and give you plenty of information in plenty of time. The interview was enjoyable and largely focused on attitudes and personality, rather than past experience, so don't stress if you don't have much. They are looking for a certain person with the right attitudes, no specific qualifications or experience.