Vacation Student Audit NM Review

I really enjoyed my time on the KPMG Vacation Scheme, it allowed me to learn a lot about the firm and the jobs done in the firm. It gave me lots of experience and a further insight to what Audit is and what it entails. I took part in lots of interesting tasks and helped out in various different jobs, working with lots of different people along the way.

I felt very valued during my time at KPMG; I was given feedback after every job I was part of and this feedback was all positive and made me feel like I had a positive impact to the groups I was working with. The jobs that I was being given were very interesting and sometimes were quite large tasks, therefore I felt like I was helping the team as I was completing substantial work for them.

I received so much support and guidance throughout the Vacation Scheme. As I had little knowledge, every task was thoroughly explained to me and I felt like I could ask any questions I needed to the various people I worked with. I had support from the buddy system whenever I needed it and felt like I could Skype Rachel or David anytime I needed to or felt like I needed some support. My performance manager also regularly checked in with me and gave me guidance and help if needed. My people leader was also very supportive and I felt like I could contact him if I needed to.

I developed skills on excel and communication skills through talking to clients. I received lots of information regarding what an Audit entails and this will help me understand how businesses work and operate. The scheme provided me with valuable knowledge I would not have been able to get if I hadn't done the programme. I think the skills I've developed will help me in my degree studies and beyond as its all real life knowledge and experience in a working firm that I hadn't had before.

The insight was very well structured, with Retain helping us along the way. It made it easy to check which jobs we were on each week and who we were working with. Skype and emails made it really easy to communicate with the teams we would be working with and arrange factors such as transport. We were clearly told which days were going to be CSR days or away days early on so it made it easy to plan ahead for such days.

The general atmosphere was really nice and positive during my time at KPMG. Everyone was so friendly, welcoming and supportive and made me feel like a part of the company already. Everyone I worked with was so friendly and kind to me, and didn't hesitate to help me if I needed it. Factors such as the CSR day and the social afterwards, and the away day made the experience so fun and enjoyable, really welcoming the interns to the firm in a fun way.

I think the company invested in us by allowing us to take part in the jobs we were assigned to, as we were treated the same as I imagine someone would if they had just started a grad job. Being on the various jobs we also gained lots of information and learnt lots from the others on the team who we were working with. This allowed all of the interns to develop and gain lots of experience which aids personal training. We also completed several E-learning exercises which helped us gain knowledge regarding the firm.

The insight massively helped me understand what it would be like to have a full time role with KPMG. I felt like I was part of the firm throughout the vacation scheme as I was doing the same jobs and tasks as other individuals who did work at KPMG full time. I imagine I would be carrying out the exact same tasks if I had just come into KPMG on a grad job after university. KPMG really made the interns feel like part of the firm and gave us a taster of what work would be like at the firm.

The insight helped me massively in understanding the company culture. As my time on the vacation scheme varied from working at client sites on Audit jobs to sometimes working in the office, I understood what day to day life was like working at KPMG and the culture that comes with it. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming so that is the culture feel that I got. Socials and after work drinks also made me understand the culture of KPMG and how positive it is.

The content throughout the days spent on the vacation scheme was extremely valuable in helping me decide on my future career path. I really enjoyed my time at KPMG and enjoyed the day to day activities I under took and therefore I would be extremely keen on doing this in the future. The information given to us really helped me understand more about KPMG and the opportunities that working for KPMG comes with.

I was both paid for my time at KPMG and also reimbursed any expenses for example lunch at client sites away from the KPMG Bristol Office and any train fares I incurred travelling to any sites related to the vacation scheme. This also helped me understand what life is like working for KPMG because I was completing the same process as the workers at KPMG (claiming expenses and being paid).

There were definitely many opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of the company or firm. On the first day in London, we had a few hours in the afternoon to chat to the workers at the London Office and ask any questions we were curious about. During my time at the Bristol Office, I often asked the colleagues I was working with lots of questions about their experiences at KPMG, allowing me to gain further insight on what the job entails. I met lots of other employees at the firm because I worked with lots of different people during my time here.

We had many networking and social event opportunities in the Bristol Office, for example the CSR day and the Boat Party afterwards. This gave us an opportunity to get to know the other interns and see how their experience was and how they viewed it. Also, on our first day in the Bristol Office we were invited to drinks after work at a nearby pub and we could socialise and talk to managers, other members of KPMG and the other interns.

Yes we were notified of activities such as netball clubs, cricket clubs, football clubs, and societies that we could become part of. We were also informed of the activities that happen every month in the firm.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend. It gives you a real look into what working life would be like for KPMG and you gain valuable skills and experience along the way. I enjoyed it thoroughly.