Assurance Intern Review

I really enjoyed the work, even though I found it a challenge at times. The people I worked with were very helpful, especially with explaining things I did not understand. They made my internship an enjoyable experience by making sure I was getting the most out of it, by for example, assigning me a People Manager. I would meet or have a conference call once a week to review the previous week and set objects for the current week. They were also very sociable and I was able to join them on social events out of the office, this made me feel more part of the team. During the internship we also had a group project with other interns from different offices from the South East. I sometimes found it difficult to fit the project work in, as I had the opportunity of lots of client experience, but the group project helped me to develop my team work, time management and presentation skills.

They made me feel included by inviting me to events out of the office. We were assigned 'Buddys' who texted us before we started and made themselves known, offering any help if we needed it. I was also kept very busy, even when I was not scheduled to a specific client. Small tasks such as casting for example. I was always thanked for doing the work.

We were assigned a People Manager, who we spoke to at least once a week. Their role was to follow our experience as an intern, helping us set objectives, receiving feedback from our work and making sure we were enjoying what we were doing. They would also ask if we had anything we wanted to experience, such as shadowing a partner, and they would often be able to find us the opportunity.

I was fortunate to be booked to many clients, this did however make it a little difficult to fit in my group project work. One week, where the client I was booked to was canceled, I was immediately booked to another client and also kept busy with small tasks such as casting.

I completed and submitted parts of the audit and I spoke to clients on my own. I was always able to ask for help or assistance if I needed but I did have the opportunity to complete it by myself.

My time management, presentation skills and confidence have improved. I also have a better understanding of financial statements and the accounting language used, this will help me in my third year of Accounting and Finance. I feel, from the group project presentation, I have improved my ability to work under pressure. My Microsoft Excel skills have also improved greatly. I also feel more confident in networking and meeting new people on a social and business level.

Our office was very sociable, often meeting after work for dinner/drinks/cinema. I was always invited to these events. During the day, the office would always do 'rounds' of tea and coffee, this made it a more relaxed family atmosphere. It also enabled me to meet most of the office members.

We were always emailed with training event details, and we had access to the client booking system so we could see all the information needed about the jobs we were booked to. The training days were well run and organized.

We had a three day 'crash course' in auditing to help us understand what we would be doing over the 6 weeks a little better. When I first started client work, I found my lack of knowledge a bit overwhelming, but I was coached along the way and learned whilst I completed my work. All staff offered help when I needed it, and I never felt I was ill equipped to do a piece of work. If I did not feel confident or felt unsure of anything they were always willing to go over things with me again.

I have been offered a job, conditional on that I stay in the Southampton office in Assurance and I achieve a 2:1 in my degree. I have accepted this offer.

In our three day course before the internship started properly we I and got to know the other interns well. Throughout the internship we had training days together and we often met up after the day. We have still kept in contact over facebook. I am currently doing PwC ambassador work at the PwC recruitment events at my University where I get to work with other students who have completed their internship.

Not as cheap as student prices, but still very good!

I went out with work a couple of times and they were really good nights!

I was invited to drinks, cinema, dinner, nights out and their sports events. I felt very included and enjoyed spending time outside of work with everyone.