Audit Intern Review

It has been a good experience, but for different reasons than I thought it would be. It is very relaxed workwise and a lot of the time, I didn't have that much work to do. In a way, I should have expected that to be the case, as Audit is quite technical and therefore the scope of what I wam able to do is limitd, even though I study Accounting and Finance at uni. The main benefit of the internship is that it is an insight into what the working life is like. It is not something that should be taken lightly. If i had left uni and gone straight to a job, without any prior experience, the change of lifestyle would have hit me like a tonne of bricks.

The people at KPMG are lovely. I have not met a single person who I dislike. Obviously, I would be of greater value if I could help them with the work to a greater extent, but regardless, most of the poeple managing me made me feel like I was making a difference, however minimal!

You are given loads of guidance and managers will always take time to explain things to you. One of the main things I have learned is to get over one's ego and not be afraid to ask questions. That's how you learn!

I was not very busy at all. This was for reasons I have previously mentioned, as well as the fact that audit departments are not particularly busy during Summer, as not many companies have their year ends at this time.

I was given a little bit of responsibility to perfrom basic tasks, but nothing very serious at all.

I didn't really receive any training while on the job. I study Accounting and Finance, so do not really lack technical knowledege, but i didn't have an opportunity to utilise this. Any work i did was almost always checking something or reviewing it for errors. That doesn't require training or technical knowledge. It has highlightd the need to be precise and diligent however.

The office at Canary Whard has a very pleasant atmosphere. Obviously people get their work done, but it is obvious that the colleagues in my department at leats, all have a good relationship, which creates a more harmonious and less intense working environment.

On the whole it was organised well. I liked the fact that on our first day in the office, we were given a welcome package that told us everything we needed to know, who we needed to contact etc. One let down is that no social things were organised at KPMG purely for the interns, whereas a lot of other institutions, especially the banks, have multiple social events organised for the interns. I know this, as my friends have been to them! Again, this is partly understandable, as with audit, you are often at client offices, meaning all the interns are scattered over london and even further afar, so any social event would be a logistical nightmare.

As an intern, you are only at the company for eight weeks, or I was at least, so it would not be financially efficient to massively invest in me. That comes if you work for the company full time. Believe me, when you join the company full time, KPMG massively invests in its people!

I assume I will be waiting a while for my final partner interview, but if I was offered a job, I would accept it. I think KPMG is a great entry into the world of business. I really want to get the ACA and the 'Big 4' are the best place to get it.

My main socialising opportunities actually came from my managers, with an invitation to a department Summer Party and an 'Audit Dinner'. The audit dinner is an amazing opportunity, as although I have not been to it yet, I will be sat at a table with two partners, one of which is head of sectors audit. At uni, people are forever going on about 'networking'...this defines networking.

I commuted in to London, so cannot comment on the cost of livving, but it is London, so everything, including drinks are going to be more expensive.

There are good places to eat and drink. I had to commute into London from Surrey, so was not around to experience any nightlife.

There were no opportunites for CSR days etc, but as previously mentioned, there were a few social events/dinners.