Summer Intern Review

I really enjoyed myself - the work culture was more relaxed than I had expected and the team was really friendly and welcoming. I learned a lot about tax and even partners were happy to sit down with me to chat/teach. I was also taken to meetings and allowed to explore the other Grant Thornton business sectors as I wished.

I felt a decent amount of appreciation considering that I arrived with next to no knowledge of tax and obviously no accountancy qualifications. I was immediately taken out for lunch on my first day and then for team drinks in the evening so that I could meet everyone from associate up to partner.

Each intern was assigned a manager within their team, plus a buddy assosiate. Your manager was responsible overall for your internship and so they organised initial networking coffees, tasks set by managers and introductions. Your buddy was there to help you with day to day tasks, any questions that you had regarding the tasks set by your manager and for making you feel welcome. The associates are only a couple of years older than you, so you really feel like one of them and as if you fit in,

Busy enough to have something to do ninety percent of the time I was in the office, but a small enough amount that you could swich off and get home at a reasonable time (earlier than I had expected). There is absolutely no pressure to take work home or expectation to finish any work unless it is clearly time critical. There is quite a strong belief in a work life balance, especially for interns who are there to experience and learn, rather than actually take on a workload. I reckon across the entire six week internship I took home maybe six hours work in total, mainly for the final presentation at the end of the process.

Not a huge amount and nothing much that made me feel under an unreasonable of pressure. I was given admin and minutes write ups to do that were sent out to clients, though, so that definitely made me feel more responsible and as if I was making a contribution. Your main responsiblity is making sure you network and ask enough questions so that you learn about the firm and the graduate job for which you are ultimately aiming. This responsibilty is made clear via initial, middle and final manager meetings in which you set, analyse and review your progress in Grant Thornton.

I don't study a finance based degree, so in terms of my degree the only impact will be in my networking and presentation skills. In terms of future career, this internship has been the perfect experience to allow me to learn, most importantly, about myself and consider my options for the future. Not only did my manager discuss my opportunities within Grant Thornton, she also encouraged me to branch out and takes chances whilst I am young/ a student so that I can find a career tht I seriously enjoy.

Very friendly - I was always asked if I wanted to join the team for lunch/ coffee. Was also invited to their team building day out which helped to meet even more Grant Thornton employees outside of my department.

Pretty well organised - every intern was invited to a conference day at the start of the internship in order to have the program explained in full detail. We were expected to set goals, have a mid way review and finally anaylyse our experience and achievements a the end. Our managers knew what deadlines had to be met for this. Everyone was assigned a phone conference call with the HR team as well, to discuss our potential midway through the internship. We were told about the final presentation assessment, its topic title and how we would achieve a graduate scheme offer. Each intern was assigned a project for the duration of the internship, for which we would have catch up calls each week. This helped keep us busy during quiet moments in the office and also ensured that we stayed in contact with the other interns.

Grant Thornton invited all interns to a two day, two night stay at their training centre (a country manor called Bradenham) outside High Wycombe. We were given presentation skills workshops and allowed the opportunity to catch up with the other interns from across the country. All development in the office (IT skills for example) were given on an ad hoc basis by my associate buddy.

Pretty appealing - the work culture is balanced and friendly. The training support for the accountancy exams is comprehensive. If you want a stable career path in either tax or accountancy, this is a really good firm. Not too small, but not large enough to feel like you are just a number. Because of this you also get to experience a range of tax law and issues, without being pigeonholed into a niche specialty. I would recommend that you aim for the London offices though, as opposed to the regional ones if you really want to climb the ladder.

There were a couple of opportunities per week in which I had the option to socialise with interns and Grant Thorton employees. I was treated as one of the team on my floor immediately.

I was already living in London for university when I started the internship. You are looking at ~£200/week in accommodation + ~£40/week in food (not eating out). Then you factor in any office clothes that you buy, plus travel (I walked so it was free!). Not cheap, but if you are serious about a career in finance or banking, you have to consider London as your target. I still maintain the argument that, for the benefits that I will get in the future, London is ALWAYS worth the hours spent working for £5/hour in a pub over the summer, plus other jobs on the side.

In terms of Grant Thronton nightlife, it was mainly just drinks with the team every now and then. In terms of London, there is more to do at night than there is in the day!

I attended te team building day outside of work and was invited to a five aside charity football tournament. Aside from that, you were encouraged to take your weekends as your own.