Summer School Student Review

As an overall experience, the Summer School scheme allowed me to achieve my objectives that I had set prior to the placement. I aimed to learn how to use a tax programme (Alphatax) and was able to talk to a range of people in different positions: from partners to managers. I was also exposed to real client cases and given the freedom and responsibility to assemble tax returns to HMRC. The responsibility I was given and the help I received really made the experience enjoyable.

During my placement I spoke to a range of people. The tax trainees I met were lovely - they had just recently experienced what it is like to be thrown into accountancy with no idea what to do, and so were always willing to help and answer any questions. As part of a project my team and I had to make, we interviewed several audit partners, who were more than happy to give up their time to answer our trivial questions. For me, this made me feel valued, as I felt that no question was too small.

Although the people who worked there were more than happy to help, I did feel that the level of organisation showed by the HR department could have been better. For example, my Counseling manager did not know that they were my counseling manager until the middle of the second week. However, once she found out, she gave me as much guidance and support as I needed!

Before the Summer school scheme I already knew that I wanted to go into accounting, but I have to say that the experience made me more sure of that decision. In terms of skills I developed, I had to communicate to people I would never usually come across normally. As well as this, I managed to speak to many people about the school leaver scheme .v. university, and the information I gained from that will help my formulate my decision.

Although I did enjoy the freedom I was given, there was next to no structure. Instead of being given work, I found myself having to go around the office and ask for work - this meant that the majority of the work I was given was either filing or printing. When I asked my counseling manager why this was the case, she told me that the office had only been told that I was coming about a week before the scheme started, so they had limited time to prepare work for me.

Not only were the people in my office absolutely lovely, but one day after work we went Dragon Racing! This was a fantastic social event, and meant that I was able to bond with everyone in my team really well. I felt that the atmosphere was comfortable and professional at all times!

It was clear that the area I chose to work in was very busy, and so had limited time to spend on a student who was only going to be there for 2 weeks. However, a few people were willing to take the time to show me how to file documents in the correct order and teach me a limited amount about Alphatax. One of the trainees showed my some Alphatax case studies on the BDO intranet which was really helpful in terms of my understanding of how to use the programme. In this way I wasn't wasting anyone's time, but I was training and developing.

Although I was only there for 2 weeks, the people I worked with were very open about what it is like to work at BDO. Many of them mentioned the good work/life balance that big 4 firms can't offer, and from what I could see people rarely stayed late at the office past about 6:30. Also, when talking to the audit partners it became clear how flexible working at BDO would be, regarding that you get the work done.

BDO prides itself on having a more positive culture than many other firms, and this definitely seemed to be the case. When I went Dragon Boat racing, we went for drinks afterwards and the people were talking about football tournaments and netball matches that take place against other firms.

The 2 weeks made me sure that I definitely want to go into accountancy when I am older. Although I really enjoyed working at BDO, I don't think that I will accept the school leaver scheme, as I still believe that there are positives to going to university. But, I will hopefully work for BDO at some point in the future.

I had a contract with BDO that specified that I would be paid for my work and reimbursed travel expenses. I thought that this was nice, as I have not been paid for other work experience placements I've had before.

The opportunities to meet other employees were endless. I asked two partners on the BDO chat if I could meet up with them and interview them about audit, as well as spoke to everyone in my area. I then went to the audit team and spoke to them - and emailed employees who worked in other offices to get information. Due to the technology available, there was no limit to who I could meet and network with.

During the two weeks, there were two days where I met with the rest of my intake throughout the whole of the UK. On the first day we all went to the Birmingham office and had team building activities. On the last day, we all went to the Museum of London and had a quiz competition. As part of my office department we went Dragon Boat racing. On all levels, the opportunities were exceptional.

Unfortunately, I did not find out about/ was not told about any activities. But other members of my intake said that they had been told BDO offer to help you fund-raise for charity.

The summer school programme is not only a great fast-track into the BDO school leaver programme (as it means you start your A2s with a secured offer on the school leaver programme), but it is a good way of seeing whether you fit in with the firm before deciding on committing to the firm for 5 years. For me, it helped me to decide that accountancy is definitely what I want to do, and also allowed me to realise that I want to go to university, instead of start work. I would definitely recommend it - well worth giving up 2 weeks of your holiday for!