Associate- SVS Tax/Audit Review

I greatly enjoyed the placement and got so much more than I expected. The only negative was the large amount of travelling but this was only due to the fact that living in Liverpool demanded a lot of travelling to Manchester for clients jobs in audit or meetings with the other students.

Everyone was very welcoming and helpful and there were never any issues about asking for help. More often than not people would provide help beyond that necessary in order to build a wider knowledge of the task. I never felt unable o say I was unsure or lost on something and I felt that in each task I was given I was treated as one of the team and no different from the other graduates who has just finished their first year.

Management were always more than willing to help and let you experience some of the work that they do in order to gain a higher understanding of the work at levels beyond associate. They were also very accommodating for giving work that was challenging and fun so that you could get a sense of how much variety there is in the job.

In all I was never really stuck for anything to do, there was always something that could be gotten on with. If there ever was a moment when there was no work you could always ask round others in the office and more often than not they had more work that could be done.

I feel I was treated the same as any other graduate in the firm and the work that I was given reflected that. I feel that I was encouraged to work hard and do work to a level that would be expected from a graduate. In addition to that I feel that I was always given the opportunity to do work that was beyond my grade so that I could get an insight into the type of work that can be done when you move up the grade system.

The skills that i have developed will serve me greatly at uni. I am not much more focused on time management and the need to set targets in order to complete work. I am also much more able to apply myself to situations quickly and effectivly in order to focus on the job at hand and produce work to a high standard.

The atmosphere in the office was very professional yet easy going and chilled out. The staff were very approachable and there was always scope to talk to those around you for a break from the work. Everyone was very friendly and happy to help out.

The internship was organised very well with a clear structure and plan for the weeks you were there.This meant that you always knew what was coming up so that you could be fully prepared for it. The scheme also started with an ice breaking event for 3 days which was a great way to get to know all the other people on the scheme and to get to make new friends.

I feel that I was treated as a graduate and in that respect received the same investment as they would. Hence I feel that I was treated as one of the team from day one and provided with the complete training package.

You get a partner interview at the end of your placement subject to your appraisel from the staff you work with. In that respect I feel that I was completely reassured of a possible future with the firm and then it allowed me to fit in better with the company. Also the definite structure of the progression through the firm was great to know as it meant that you could see the people at different grades and know what they will have had to do in order to get to where they were.

The scheme started with an ice breaker event in Birmingham and this was a great way to get to know other people. In my office there were only two students on placement and therefore the social scene was not brilliant but there was always the scope to travel to Manchester to meet the other students. We also got to take part in an away day to a castle which was a great way to meet the people who worked in audit.

I lived in my student house throughout the placement so in terms of housing it cost me nothing. With regards to travelling I had to pay for my travel to the office, which I just got a cheap bus pass for, and then anything above that was expensed by Deloitte. This meant any train travel, car travel or any other form of travel was paid by Deloitte. I was also regularly taken out to lunch which saved me money too.

Liverpool is one of the best student areas in the UK. Cheap, lively and safe, thats all i can say.

there was much scope for out of work events and i am taking part in the corporate cup in September as a result of my placement. There was also the scope ot play other sport like tennis and football. As mentioned we went on a audit trip and we also had a number of socials planned