KPMG Pensions Actuarial Intern Review

Working at KPMG in the British Virgin Islands was a great experience. I felt as if I was part of a team, and could feel the importance of my contributions. I enjoyed the atmosphere that surrounded the workspace and I would love to join the team again.

When I first started, I thought that being an intern, I would be pushing papers and generally just filling in space in the office. However, that was not the case, I was thrown into the midst of things. Within one day I was proofreading financial statements, making sure that there were no grammatical or mathematical errors. I felt like I had an important role to have, and thus valued by my colleagues.

Upon my arrival, the manager took me under his wing and taught me the fundamentals of auditing and accounting, such as the different accounting systems such as the GAAP. As well as showing me how financial statements are created. I felt as if I was mentored the entire time I was there, which helped me built my confidence with entering the accounting practice.

I became a part of the team during a very busy period, towards the end of the financial year, so all of my colleagues were working on their unfinished products to meet the deadlines. Thus, there were some days in which I was very busy, entering data into spreadsheets, reading statements, and other tasks. However, there were also some other days where everyone had nothing that I could help with, so I was assigned to simple tasks that required little skill.

During my placement I was given the responsibility of reading over financial statements for major companies. Thus I felt as if I had a great responsibility of ensuring everything was in order. I was commended my my supervisor when I spotted an minor fault with one of the documents, that had passed inspection of a senior auditor.

I developed a range of skills while working at KPMG, as well as an increase in my basic understanding of the ongoings within an accounting/ auditing firm. While studying my degree, I often come across something that I learnt while at KPMG, thus my understanding of how it is applied in the work place contributes to my overall understanding of the subject matter. It was an invaluable experience that I would love to have again.

When I became an intern at KPMG, it was the closing of the financial year, thus the general atmosphere was bustling with people working hard to meet deadlines. However, this did not interfere with my time there. The intense focus that all my colleagues had only encouraged me to work harder on the tasks I was given.

My intership was very well organised. From day one I was learning new concepts and practices. Progressively getting into more difficult tasks. By my third week I felt as if I had a significant role in the office. This was only achieved by the fact that the intership was well planned and prepared for.

All my colleagues at KPGM during my placement made it their goal to teach me something new everyday. Thus, in hindsight, I feel as if the company invested a lot into me. Even though many of my colleagues had lots of work to do, they found time to help me. I am very grateful for the time and effort everyone put into my time there.

I would be proud to become a member of the KPMG team, as I have a general understanding of their system of operations. I also feel that KPMG have a great ethos, which is the care of the staff and their support of the local community.

All of my colleagues were eager to get to know me as an individual, as I was lucky enough to be the only intern in the B.V.I branch. Thus, I was able to communicate, laugh, and enjoy my time with everyone. This only built on the rigidity of the KPMG team.

In the British Virgin Islands, the cost of living is relatively high. However, we found ways to have a good time that was both cheap and enjoyable.

There is not much nightlife in the British Virgin Islands, because most of the parties and events happen during the day when the sun is beaming on the beaches.

During my time there, there were not many events that took place outside of work as everyone was working hard to meet deadlines. However, if my placement where to take place during another period, I am sure that I would be a part of the events.