Audit Intern Review

I had a fantastic time during my 12 months at Grant Thornton. Aswell as learning an enormous amount about auditing and accountancy (the initial introductory training I received at the firms national training centre was particulalry helpful), it also provided me with a fantastic insight into the working world. The work was stimulating and as I was auditing firms from different industries, there was always something new to learn. In addition to this, I got involved in the social side of the firm. I played football, cricket and attended drinks nights, which was a huge help in getting to know people from across the office.

I felt as though my work was valued and that I was an integral part of the team. This was mutually beneficial for both myself and the firm as I reacted well to this and the increased amount of independence and responsibility had a positive effect on my work. Naturally, being the most junior of pretty much all the audits I was on meant I could always ask somebody else for help when a difficulty aros but I was able to complete near enough all of the tasks on my own, which was good for my confidence.

Both my line manager and departmental partner were very helpful when I first joined the firm and this meant it was easy to settle in. All the In-Charge Accountants I worked with were most supportive and at no point did I feel as though I was on my own and in need of help which I did not receive.

I was often working to strict deadlines and therefore there was very little time to relax when working on a job! However, this does not mean that super long hours were a regular thing. I learnt to work efficiently and sensibly and for 95% time was able to work from 9-5 without much work needing to be done at home. There were times when overtime was needed but this is to be expected when working within such a fast-paced, results-driven industrty. In addition to this, any hours I worked over my contracted weekly limit (37.5 hours) could be taken as holiday (TOIL).

Being the most junior member of the team on many occasions meant I was often able to look at the 'simple' areas of the accounts to begin with. However, as time progressed I moved on to the more difficult and crucial areas (which was useful and a sign that I was being trained well and given increasingly more responsibility). I was also able to complete solo projects, such as small audits and accounts preparation jobs, towards the end of my placement which gave me a good indication of how much I had learnt and the faith that was put in me by the rest of the team.

As I am studying for a degree in Economics, the auditing process that I have worked on for the past year will not directly assist me in my studies. Nevertheless, the focus on work and the organisational and efficiency techniques that I did pick up will help me tremendously. The prospect of going back to Liverpool if I get a 2:1 should provide incentive enough to work hard during my final year!

The atmosphere within the office was great. Emphasis was put on work, but this did not mean that you couldn't talk or have a laugh with your colleagues. I feel there was the correct balance between work and socialising both in and out of the office.

I was given a proper training programme and was treated like a graduate trainee. At no point did I feel like a lesser member of the team because I was an intern.

I was put on all the necessary training courses and helped out by all members of the department when doing on-site fieldwork. In addition to this, I was handed a large and impressive amount of training material when I left so I could the audit process fresh in my mind during my final year of university!

I will be returning to Grant Thornton in September 2011, subject to the national requirement of getting a 2:1 in my degree.

The social scene was one of my favourite parts of working for Grant Thornton. I made some good friends and had some good nights out (mostly in Liverpool, the annual football tournament in Birmingham and a stag do in Munich). I tried to get involved in the social side of the office in a bid to help make friends at the beginning of my placement and fortunately this paid off!

The cost of living was on a par with most northern cities and London prices were certainly not to be found there. For the apartment block I lived in, the rent was very reasonable. However I think thas was more to do with the state of the housing and rental markets at the time I signed my lease than a geographical consideration.

If you don't enjoy a night out in Liverpool then there is something seriously wrong with you.

Being a large city, and one which had just benefited enormously from the City of Culture in 2008, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in different activities. If you want to do something then the likelihood is that you will be able to do it. This ranges from sporting activities, going to the theatre/cinema, visiting museums, having a drink and judging from the state of some of the women, a vast array of tanning salons.