Placement Review at Ernst & Young

The Role

Role Description

To carry out audits on various size pension schemes for a large number of clients.

Tasks included checkin basic accounts, dealing with pension scheme investments and chasing up and resolving accounting irregularities.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I really enjoyed my placement. I got on really well with the people and I enjoyed learning about basic accounting. The socials were good too.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

My colleagues were really friendly and were always there to help me if I had any problems. We often went out after work to socialise. I was also asked to join the office cricket team which was really good fun.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I could speak to anyone if I had any issue at all but more formally I had a counsellor within the office that I had to report to three times throughout my placement. These meetings were designed to discuss my targets as well as any problems that I may have had. I also had a meeting with one of the internship co-ordinators who was based in Birmingham, they had a day in our office (Reading) asking all the interns about their experience and checking that we were meeting our goals.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I was always working chargeable hours for a client during my internship. There were extra projects available for those who found themselves with down time but as my department (Pensions Audit) were in their busy season, this was never the case for me.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Over the 8 weeks of my placement my responsibilities grew as I learnt more. With growing skills on the computer system and increasing knowledge with basic accounting I was given more and more work with increasing difficulty.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Although I do not do any accounting within my degree I learnt a great deal about the skills I am going to need when I go back next year. Aside from accounting, I had to do a lot of team based tasks including leading a project with 6 other interns, this was really useful as I learnt basic project management skills.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The office was a really good place to work. I got on with everyone within my department who all seemed really happy to help me. The atmosphere was very relaxed, there were always jokes going round the office and general chat which helped me fit in well.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The internship was very well organised. With a whole week dedicated to induction, all interns were able to meet each other and make friends before we went to our individual offices. There were absolutely no issues with any part of the organisation for my internship/

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I had a whole week of basic induction into the company to learn their values and roles, this took place in Birmingham and meant that we had a very good opportunity to meet the other interns. As well as this there was a whole day dedicated to specific training within the office for my department which came in very useful when dealing with clients later on in the internship

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

• Flexi Time
• Sports and Social Club
• Company Parties/Events

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was lucky enough to be given an offer at the end of the placement which I happily accepted.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

As already mentioned there was a great social scene amongst the other interns, we went out in Birmingham a few times during the induction week as well as having many socials whilst in the office in Reading.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was lucky enough to be able to live at home during the placement so there was very little cost in the way of travel. The office all went to buy lunch every day which did turn out quite expensive overall but it was good fun to do so.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Reading night life isn't the best but it is still good enough for a decent night out once a week or so.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

I was lucky enough to be asked to play for the office cricket team on Wednesday evenings which was really good fun. There was also an office day out to Thorpe Park and an end of internship ball which was amazing.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

I never imagined myself to become or enjoy Pensions Audit when I started university but after 8 weeks with Ernst & Young I realised it was really good fun and the Reading office is a great place to work. I had the opportunity to travel to London to work there as well as work in client offices which broke up the work a lot. Would recommend it to anyone.

Review 284/284 for Ernst & Young

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