Ellie’s Audit Apprenticeship Journey

Once I established University wasn’t the route I wanted to take, I began researching the various apprenticeships available. I was initially drawn to Deloitte because of its strong reputation as a professional services firm, and after speaking to some current apprentices it was clear that the opportunities at Deloitte would be endless – so it was a very easy decision to apply. I was also really attracted to the BrightStart scheme because it provided the opportunity to continue with my education (without the university debt), studying towards the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification whilst gaining invaluable on the job experience. It seemed like the perfect opportunity.

My main advice for applicants would be to just be yourself, be confident and ensure you portray your personality and hard-working attitude. Secondly, make sure you research the firm, the role, and Deloitte’s values. That way you can ask relevant questions, demonstrate how you would fulfil the Deloitte values, and really engage with your interviewer. First impressions go a long way.

What has surprised me most is the exposure you receive from the outset, getting involved with clients straight away following the induction training. I immediately felt valued. Another surprise was the level of interaction and support provided by all team members, regardless of their seniority. I thought that being a junior in such a large firm would mean I had limited exposure to senior staff. In reality that has not been the case at all. I gained exposure from the outset, and have learnt so much from senior colleagues. This has allowed me to learn key leadership skills that I’ve now taken forward into my role as Assistant Manager.

I love my job as no two days are the same. Also, there are often several issues which need to be overcome during the course of an audit and I find it extremely rewarding identifying and establishing how these issues can be resolved appropriately. The biggest challenge for me has been balancing work and study commitments. But the firm has been fully supportive by providing dedicated college days and exam study leave. I’ve also found that my coach and team leaders are extremely understanding and supportive, particularly when exams are approaching - exams are made a priority during your apprenticeship.

Since joining back in 2017 I have grown significantly both personally and professionally. I’ve had the opportunity to develop my technical skills by progressing through the ACA qualification, and through on-the-job learning and various training courses I’ve learnt how to develop and build effective business relationships. I’ve also grown more confident in my own abilities and in shaping my own career path. Every day is a learning opportunity here, and the support is amazing - in audit you work with several different teams throughout the year, all of whom are have been extremely talented and committed to helping me develop in my role and career. The career path here is clear, and allows for fast progression, and you have the ability to shape your growth by commitment and working hard.