Audit Associate Review

This was the best experience of a corporate environment I have ever had. The structure of training was world class, and it meant you were able to grasp the fundamental principles of your role (for me: audit), before attending client sites. There was ongoing 'on the job' training throughout my 12 months, which resulted in me being able to take the lead and demonstrate my skills to those in senior positions.

The ethos at EY is very much a person-centred approach. Help is always on hand to those who ask for it, and there is a great sense of teaming and community, which helps us all work towards a common goal.

Whether you are an audit whizz-kid or a bit slow on the uptake, help is there for all levels of Industrial Placement student. Managers and Executives are good at their job and have all been in your position before, so they know what it's like. If you need micro-managing, all you need to do is ask, and help will be given.

VERY! Although I was very busy on a day to day basis, this enables you to stretch and challenge yourself, developing technical accounting skills along the way. You can start your day at 9am and before you know it it'll be 6pm in the blink of an eye!

This depends on you as a person, but by the end of my time at EY I was in a position to be able to take the lead on smaller audits and engagements.

Skills for life, simply because there is so much overlap and technical accounting knowledge between my year as an IP in audit, and my degree in Accounting and Financial Management.

Very sociable and friendly. Yes the work has to get done, but the people make the organisation, and they were able to go about it and be productive and efficient, in a fun and enjoyable manner.

Seamless transition throughout the year.

I was able to undertake the first two exams of my ICAS qualification - demonstrating that the firm do invest heavily in their biggest assets, their employees.

I've been made a graduate offer with EY which I had no hesitation in accepting.

As there are only really a maximum of 2 IPs in any regional office, it's hard to get a constant flow of social activities, but again, the year above were welcoming and included us in their social group.

Being in audit, it's best to not splash out on accommodation right next to your office in the centre of the city, as you will be travelling a lot. I therefore sought cheaper accommodation only a short commute away.

Nightlife was good - but remember that the work needs to get done...

There were lots of CSR activities and volunteering activities with local Universities, Schools and Colleges.