Audit Intern Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship. I believe I was treated as one of the team and I was able to take responsibility for my own work, meaning I gained a comprehensive understanding of the audit process. My manager and buddy were extremely helpful and supportive of me throughout my internship and I loved being a part of the team. I also made many good friends through social events with other interns and I look forward to developing these relationships in the future.

The work I was given meant that I was assisting my colleagues in large projects and for this reason I felt highly valued by them.

My manager was always available to answer any questions, either related to work I was doing or in terms of my future with the firm. She was also available to answer any personal questions and concerns and constantly offered me support and advice before and during my internship. I always felt I was able to ask any question at any time, and this was extremely valuable to me.

I was extremely busy while on client sites, as I was given portions of the audit to complete, however, I was also given adequate time to balance separate itern projects.

The work I was given was the same as work being completed by other full-time members of the team and I was able to take ownership of my own projects and meet with clients independently, meaning I was given full responsibility of my work. I believe this has been highly beneficial as I have learned how the audit process works and how to manage client relations.

My internship has given me a thorough understanding of the audit process, as well as overall business practices and I believe this will be extremely beneficial as I complete my final year accounting courses.

The atmosphere in the office was professional, friendly, and relaxed. As an intern I was always made to feel welcome and everyone was approachable, regardless of whether they were an associate or a partner. Grant Thornton encourages collaborative working environments and the office is open plan and engaging. Break-out areas and hot-desking means that employees can work together and approach each other for help and advice throughout the day.

My internship was extremely well organised and structured, Over the six week period, I was given varied work and experiences to ensure I gained a comprehensive insight into life at the firm. The first two days of my internship provided a thorough introduction to Grant Thornton and an gave me an idea of what to expect during my internship. For the next three weeks, I worked on two audits, one in the final stages and one in the planning stages. This enabled me to see the different types of work performed at different stages and to understand the requirements and challenges of the audit process.

My manager and team spent time with me every day, training me on software and enhancing my understanding of the audit process. Furthermore, they encouraged and focused on my personal development in working as a team and in client management. I was also given the opportunity to attend the Bradenham business centre, where I was given a two day training course on presentation skills, which I found to be invaluable. The firm also requires all its employees to complete online training courses, which ensure understanding of the firms internal networks and programmes, as well as other topics such as ethics.

The future employment prospects with Grant Thornton are extremely attractive. If I take on a graduate role with Grant Thornton, I will be able to become a qualified CA in three years through a combination of work and study. I know from my internship that I will have the resources and the support from the firm to be successful in my examinations. There are also opportunities to try different service lines and roles while at work, which is extremely attractive to me.

There are opportunities to socialise outside of work both doing activities and going for dinner and drinks with colleagues. During my internship, we went to an event in London just for interns and I was able to meet others having the same experience as me. We also participated in a new starters scavenger hunt around Glasgow, which was followed by pizza and drinks, and this gave me a chance to get to know more of my colleagues.

The cost of living in Glasgow is relatively affordable in comparison to other cities in the UK. I managed to find a summer sub-let for the duration of my internship and I travelled to work via public transport, which is both convenient and affordable.

There are lots of bars and clubs in the centre of town and the west end of Glasgow and going out is affordable.

We had the opportunity to participate in the Grant Thornton national football tournament during our internship, which allowed all interns to socialise and join their office team.