Audit Associate Review

My role is heavily centered around working with excel, documenting support from clients and agreeing their financial statement figures to receipts, invoices, contracts etc. As a team, we receive the financial statements and a general ledger detailing all transactions within an account from which we select a sample to test and agree to support which is also provided by the client. Wherever differences or issues are noted, they are queried with the client typically during a meeting or via email.

I am much more proficient in my use of excel, and have also learnt how to use company specific audit tools. My interpersonal and communication skills have also been developed through my regular client interactions and also interactions within the different teams I have worked with.

As my placement progressed, I was moved to smaller teams in which I had greater responsibilities as I was the only staff associate on these audits. As a result it meant that I was completing more complex testing and also assisting in tasks that were typically handled by more senior members of the team. I was also booked on multiple clients which meant that I was in charge of managing my time between them all.

To be honest, I had much more support in the beginning of my placement, understandably as I was a new joiner, but also because I was part of a much larger team, with more people who were available to help. Since leaving that team, I have continued to speak to them for guidance and support, as the teams I joined since were not as big and therefore sometimes did not have to the time to fully explain things to me.

The individuals in the company encouraged networking and getting to know everyone, so in that sense it was a friendly atmosphere. There are different peer groups which allows you to connect with partners who you typically don't interact with much.

My placement has been a very interesting experience, the most enjoyment came from the individuals I had the privilege of working with. The work was the right balance of challenging but also doable. The most challenging part was the busy seasons as the work is heavily time pressured. The teams and department I was part held quite a few socials which was also very enjoyable.

Yes

My biggest piece of advice would be to network and socialise within the firm; take every opportunity to attend department-wide/firm-wide socials as that is when you will get to meet new people, who are more advanced in their career and can offer very valuable advice.