Summer Intern Financial Services Audit Review

The internship gave me a good insight into working in an accountancy firm. It also helped me to understand how my career at Ernst and Young could develop.

Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming no matter whether they were an associate or a partner

We were assigned a counsellor who would help us to develop key skills to progress in our career and during the internship. The counsellor, as well as all members of teams that I worked on, was extremely useful in terms of providing us with advice on how to approach things on both a short term and long term basis. Whether it was how to address employees correctly on emails, or how to approach a partner for a partner shadow day.

There was always something to be done, and it was clear that the work being completed was useful to the team I was working on, it did no involve much of the coffee runs and photocopying that can be heard of from other internships. The work was at times stressful with some deadlines, but rewarding upon completion.

I was given 3 projects to complete which were later signed off by a partner. This involved a good amount of interaction with both the client and other members of the Ernst & Young team.

Much of the skills were ones which I had already in part developed before the internship, as they are skills Ernst & Young look for (i.e. teamwork). However, it was useful to develop them further and learn how to approach people at different levels within the firm to understand the right balance between talking to more senior employees in formal and informal settings.

We were working to a tight deadline, there was still time to have a chat with people, but we still had to get the work done.

I found the internship was set up well and was thoroughly enjoyable. We learnt a lot about networking, which helped me to develop more confidence when it came to speaking to both clients and also other Ernst & Young employees.

The company spent a lot of time informing us of how our careers would develop, so I left feeling that I had a well-rounded view of what the next stages of my career would be should I be offered a graduate job. It was very clear that they value employees as their strongest asset so it certainly came across that no matter what level you were in the firm you were still taken seriously, and this was visible in the workspace.

I was offered a graduate job after the placement which I have accepted.

Everyone on the internship was of a similar mindset to myself. We would all get the work done during the day, and then go for some drinks or nights out during/at the end of the week, which created a really good atmosphere and helped develop some good friendships.

I lived at home since the placement was in London, however, going out for food for lunch, or drinks after work was not particularly cheap but I have always found that is to be expected when living in a city. It was certainly worth it.

Depending on what you are looking for, I have always had a good time out in London, but it was helped by the fact the other interns were also up for some fun.

We had a few socials organised by the Internship programme including bowling and go-karting which were extremely fun, and there was the added benefit of drinks being kindly paid for by Ernst & Young.