Audt Assistant Review

Your primary role and goal as an audit assistant is to produce accurate and meticulous financial statements for the clients you work with. As a placement student your day to day tasks heavily alternate whilst you learn to conduct all the different tests involved in completing the financial statements. The most common software you will use is excel to test the data and financial documents provided by the client. A large part of the role also involves you travelling to the client's site and meeting them to discuss the work being completed.

I learnt and developed a plethora of new skills throughout the placement year. My digital/technical skills heavily improved due to consistently using various softwares such as Excel, Alteryx and Orbit; As a part of this naturally your analytical skills also develop as you use such softwares to consistently analyse data and search for errors. Additionally, your client communication, articulation and social skills all likewise develop since you consistently travel to and meet with clients and colleagues to discuss the audit at hand.

Yes you are given a high level of responsibility if you prove to your seniors that you are able to work hard and complete the work to a high degree. Eventually after a few months into the role, I was tasked with completing entire working papers by myself. By the end of my placement year, I was able to complete entire audits alone, alongside a manager only. Additionally, I was trusted to travel to and discuss certain issues and topics with the clients alone such as when conducting a stock take.

You are consistently provided with support and guidance as a new starter. You are given a buddy to refer to whenever you face issues and the other assistants who have been at the firm for around a year are always around to provide support. When completing work you usually have a supervisor or assistant manager sat alongside you to help guide you and answer any questions you might have. Furthermore, you are enrolled onto a series of online trainings and programmes to help teach you how to use the softwares, understand the accounting concepts and teach you basics skills you require for the role.

The culture is hard working but also quite healthy in the sense that they value you as a person who has a life away from work. Everyone in the office got on very well and it was very encouraging to consistently come in everyday and work hard. We also had various office socials throughout the year which were very enjoyable.

I enjoyed the placement year to a very great extent. I was gutted once it ended and look forward to hopefully returning to them once final year ends.

Yes

Distinguish yourself in the application process and really understand what the company does and what your role entails.