Associate Review

I really enjoyed my placement at PwC Jersey. I was treated as part of the graduate and school-leaver cohort throughout my year meaning I settled in well and had the same opportunities as every other associate in the department. The work is challenging and there are long hours in the months following the tax year end so this is something to be aware of.

I felt valued by most of the teams. In Assurance you work with teams of between 3 and up to 30 people so you get the opportunity to meet lots of people and form strong bonds with them. Everyone is trusted by members of their team so you really feel like you have a purpose in the team. There are also around 20 people in each "year group" making socialising easy.

Support is available from your seniors and managers if you ask for it. Most are really good at explaining your task in the first place, and with everything you do there are instructions so that you don't need to ask too many questions. However most seniors and managers regularly check up on you and are very receptive to questions and regularly offer their support for your task.

How busy I was varied greatly through the year. At the beginning, there wasn't enough work to go round so I spent quite a while idle, however as PwC Channel Islands put you through the first year of accountancy exams during your placement year, you pretty much always have revision to be getting on with if you aren't busy. In contrast, in busy season (January-April) there was a lot of work, and I often worked until past 10pm in order to get all work done by the client's deadline. However, we charged overtime and this can be taken as time off in lieu later in the year or cash at your next payday if you so wish.

I was given just as much responsibility as graduates in the assurance department. My responsibility varied depending on the clients whose audits I was working on. On some, I would be the only associate working so would be responsible for the majority of the work. However on others I was the most junior person so there was less responsibility.

A major part of the placement year is the opportunity to take the first year of ACA exams. Whilst this would not help with my degree, it puts me ahead in terms of qualifying as a chartered accountant after I graduate from university. Additionally, I believe the attitude to working you develop and your working style changes meaning you are better prepared for the final year of university and graduate employment.

The atmosphere is really positive. Most people are good friends making it a really nice place to work. It does get quite stressful during the busy season though.

The work placement is very organised as it is a well established programme and you form a part of the graduate cohort. During the placement year there is absolutely no difference between yourself and a graduate so it is set up very well.

The firm invests in you a great deal. They pay for your exams, and give you extensive training on how to do the job. During the year about 20% of your time is spent in college for accountancy exams or internal training. There is also a well established appraisal system from which you can earn a bonus if you perform well.

I have been offered to rejoin the firm as an Associate 2 (2nd year graduate) after I graduate, so I would skip the first year of the graduate scheme (having already done it during the placement year)

The social scene is very good. Everyone socialises together regularly and your year group becomes some of your closest friends. Also, there is a sports and social committee who organise office sports teams, meals, drinks events, trips and even international sports tours to places such as Barcelona.

The cost of living in Jersey is very high. However, as a placement student the salary is very high compared to some placements in the UK so this does help with the cost. The cost of socialising is no higher than elsewhere in the UK, beaches are free (obviously) and club entry is also free so you save on that cost.

Club entry is free! Clubs not bad but not many of them

Lots. I personally joined 2 PwC sports teams and attended countless social events.