Internship Review at Grant Thornton

The Role

Role Description

Taking on work that a first year on the graduate scheme would do.

I was in audit so my main tasks were:
- liaising with the client to gather working papers supporting figures in the accounts
- sampling data from a particular section of the accounts to check its audit trail is complete
- checking accuracy of formulae generated in Excel and reproducing pivot tables to ensure the client follows guidance available
- data quality and use of resources spot checks - (similar to internal audit) - documenting and evaluating management procedures in place for production of certain performance indicators

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Work as an auditor focuses heavily on the past and feels like forensics. My interests and passions like more in the future and making decisions based on what we currently know. Also, the work of an auditor can be rather dull, especially if the tasks you are given should be simple but turn out not to be.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Some members of staff were most supportive and gave appropriate feedback on the quality of my work and explained how my work fitted into the bigger picture of the audit and the service the firm offers the client. Others gave me no support despite me having never done accounts - they forgot that I had not had the month long training in book-keeping and accounting that all trainees get. Staff need a more thorough understanding of the role of interns and how to act towards them.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

As outlined above sometimes the 'executives' (one up from Associate which is the role an Intern fulfills) did not show any interest in supporting. However the managers of the audit accounts were extremely supportive. Unfortunately they are not the people managing me on a day to day basis and would only ring me once a week to check how things were - this is more to do with the structure of the organisation than an issue particular to interns. HR managed our time well in giving us activities outside of owrk.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

I always had a task to do but with the lack of support could not always fulfill it making me bored and feeling undervalued. The firm needs to reconsider how its employers are briefed on interns.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

For the performance indicator work outlined above I was given responsibility from the word go! After shadowing a colleague for only a day I took charge of a data quality account check for the next week and a half. I was the only person working on this and it was all down to me. Great chance to stretch myself, show I am keen to take on challenges, and learn a great deal on the way.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The skills I learnt have been great and most of my competencies for future interviews will be taken from this internship experience. Grant Thornton also encourage constant reflection through audit appraisals as well as one at the end of the internship. Through this and there guide to development I have really learnt how to think about how I can store my experiences and remember them quickly and accurately for an interview. I have worked on team work, (time it went well and time it went bad), decision making (through responsibility above), client relationships, commerciality, communication and credibility - everything really. Great skills.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

For most of my internship I was with my 'buddy' who supported me and made good conversation. For one and a half weeks my buddy and I were joined by a colleague who really brought the atmosphere down by making inappropriate comments about clients and showing no ambition or drive in his career. I also had a week and a half with an executive who showed little interest in me unless his boss was around - not impressed to be honest.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Everything was perfectly organized, calendar invitations sent out before we got there. Great number of events which all ran on time and with no difficulties. Relating to work there were no major issues other than what is usual to expect in audit - travel.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

The feedback system outlined above is fantastic and we went on a 2 day training course at Grant Thornton's country manor in Bucks. It was a great opportunity to improve my presentation skills as well as get to know the other interns. However, I would have appreciated a week intense introduction to accounts so that I had more confidence in doing main accounts audits.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• National Travel
• Company Parties/Events

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

The firm sets it self in a good position in the market for graduate jobs. It is sold as mid-size and it does match that description well. Good training opportunities and career progression however the reputation of being not Big 4 but nearly is a shame. Also, not impressed with lack of formal networks such as ethnic minorities, women in the work place, or LGBT.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

We had a lot of formally arranged events which everyone attended. We were all rather close and got on well despite being from different backgrounds. Around half of the interns attended informal events arranged by us and all were friendly, motivated, and interested.

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

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

I can't comment on this as I was working in audit - I would work in different places at different times.

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

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Although during the day time I could not socialize at night I could travel into Euston where one of our offices is based and meet the other interns. Great pubs near by although a little expensive. We went into Soho on a couple of occasions which was obviously fantastic! A great location for an internship (if you work in Tax or Advisory and aren't traveling all over the country)

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Running event in first week. Networking with other interns from across London at ratemyplacement party and networking skills event with Nabarro. Also a networking event with the managers and buddies of all the other interns as well as day time events to learn about other departments and services offered by Grant Thornton.

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?

Grant Thornton is a great firm but it shows its mid-tier position in the market. It is not as professional (often termed 'cold') as PwC, Deloitte etc. and I have had strange experiences of staff acting in a most unprofessional manner. Some people are lacking ambition at the firm but overall it is great and if you decide its not for you then it is a great stepping stone to wherever you want to be.

Review 84/84 for Grant Thornton

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