Assurance Summer Intern Review

During this Summer Internship, I was placed in the GPS (Government Public Sector) Audit Service Line at Luton. I helped different GPS teams with different engagement projects, where I helped with easier tasks and was coached and guided through the more difficult tasks. These included completing lead schedules, fact checking, sample verification and general audit work such as reviewing accounts and requesting for more information from the client when needed. We did regular team calls to update each other on what we have completed and what needs to be done next. There were also occasional meetings with clients to request for more information and to provide updates on engagement progress.

I have learnt the important of communication in the workplace, in order to build rapport with co-workers, save time and maximize efficiency. I learnt many technical skills, through different audit tasks and through practice, I was able to become much more competent with Microsoft Excel, which is an essential technical skill for almost all corporate jobs in this day and age. I have become much more wary of time, making an effort to become routinely punctual and time-efficient, which has been a struggle for me in the past due to ADHD.

I would have to say that at the beginning, I was almost walked through most tasks with hand-holding from more senior team members, while also completing easier tasks. Eventually I was given more difficult tasks that required more critical thinking and deeper understanding of the audit process. I felt like I had a lot more responsibility later on, as I was expected to complete tasks in the given time, report to my seniors in the team meetings while also juggling my other commitments as an intern,

When I struggled with audit work, I was given a lot of support by my peers, especially by the seniors in my engagements and my team managers. My buddy also helped me learn more about EY as a company, the work place and introduced me to many people at work which was very helpful in easing me into the work environment. I also had a counselor who would regularly check up on me and ensure everything was going well throughout my internship.

The atmosphere at Luton was quite nice, since the office was moderately sized, in that it wasn't so small that there was a lack of space or new faces, but also not too big, in comparison to the London offices, which allowed for a more homely, family feeling when it came to the workplace. I enjoyed meeting new people at work everyday while also seeing people I had already met, which was a nice balance.

I did enjoy my internship quite a bit, especially since I had a friend who already worked there and helped me ease into the workplace. I would have to say, realistically, that audit work can at times be dull and tedious, there is a lot to learn in terms of hard and soft skills while engaging in this sort of work. I really liked the social aspect of work, when it came to meeting new people, as well as the opportunity to visit the London office with my co-workers, which is right in the heart of Central London.

Yes

I would others to be sure of their service line and internship location, as this is the place that they will be offered a grad offer, if they are given one. I would also say to make the most of the opportunity, and network with as many people as possible and just absorb as much information as you can from the work you're given and the people you work with. Use the company benefits while you can also, and if you're given the opportunity to travel and broaden your horizons, then do it!