Audit Industrial Placement Review

My role required me to work as part of an engagement team, testing different account balances from the financial statements for my scheduled client. This involved working with colleagues of various seniority as well as communication with the client. I was given responsibility of testing my own individual account balances such as cash and trade receivables where I was responsible for selecting samples, recording the evidence provided by the client, and concluding appropriately from my findings, completing work to a deadline set by my managers. As part of the placement I was also required to sit two certificate level exams - Accounting and Assurance.

Business communication - I was in constant communication with the client and finance professionals and therefore picked up professional business language easily. Networking - Was able to meet a variety of individuals at the firm working in all types of roles. Technical knowledge - Deloitte is learning oriented so every team I worked on made sure to explain the theory behind my tasks and help me to understand the bigger picture. Teamwork/collaboration - Always working as part of a team meaning I was able to help others when I finished my own tasks and feel as if I was part of a community.

I was responsible for my own areas of testing for multiple year end clients. This meant I was responsible for seeing my work through till completion and actioning review points and issues raised by my seniors. I was able to pick up extra responsibilities such as tracking and chasing outstanding information with the client and resolving issues. In the first year of the role the difference between a placement student and a graduate is the amount of exams a graduate will sit. Each starter is given the same level of responsibility given their experience.

Given we can be part of multiple engagements with a variety of managers, everyone at Deloitte has a point of contact where they are able to raise any concerns and discuss feedback. Each manager I worked with also made sure they were available for questions and also were available to help me manage my workload during busy times and make sure I did not become overwhelmed.

Everyone I've worked with has been friendly and interested in getting to know me. People are interested in my background and what I'm doing following my placement year at Deloitte. Each business unit holds multiple socials a year to help network and spend time with colleagues outside of work. There is also a big focus on diversity and celebrating different cultures with different events.

Although at times the workload was challenging, I felt that I learnt a lot from my placement and have a large sense of achievement. I also feel as if I have made good connections with the colleagues I started the firm with along with my engagement teams, so going into work was a really positive experience for me. I was also given lots of responsibility which meant I was never bored!

Yes

Make sure to practice your face to face interview skills and make sure your values align with those of Deloitte. There is a heavy focus on making sure the people that are hired will fit with Deloitte's culture and ethos. Whilst at times the work can be demanding it can be very rewarding and there are also times when there aren't as intense deadlines and the work can be more relaxed.