Life as an Auditor

Posted 3 May 2009 - 2:59pm by WikiJob

Many thanks to YP (long term WikiJobber and audit trainee at Big 4 firm) for supplying this great post about working life as an auditor. If you would like to post on the WikiJob blog, just email Ed@WikiJob.co.uk - your contributions are always appreciated!

Audit work is broadly the same for whichever firm you work for. It’s the people that you work with that make the difference. Unfortunately, there’s no way to get a true impression of what your colleagues will be like until you join the firm.

You can get a feel for what your colleagues will be like:
• Speak to graduate trainees at the job fairs
• Attend any open days
• There may be an opportunity to have lunch with some trainees during your interview day. Use this as a chance to ask searching questions.
• Read this blog!

Keep this in mind. The firms are looking for people who can work in a team. Client time is important so potential auditors must have good communication skills too. That means your potential colleagues will be friendly and easy to get on with.

The first years

Being a London trainee means that that there were many of us starting at the same time. There were many chances to bond during the initial week’s training. Alcohol got shoved down our throats by the partners. Incidentally, making a pass, throwing up and breaking a leg are not good ways to start your career.

Training was followed by college. Friendships are formed quickly or slowly depending on who you are. There are a great variety of people: jocks, cheerleaders, religious and geeks – there will be one stereotypical American high school group that you can join.

You won’t see much of the first years during work. But you will be invited to events/parties via random first-year mailing list emails.

The department

Another part of social life is the department. There were lots of events (and karaoke) to get everyone to meet each other. I think the technical term for this is “networking”. There are various socials put on throughout the year – ranging from the Christmas/Summer ball to spontaneous lunches.

The audit team (a group of auditors with varying experience levels that is sent out to work a the client)

The audit team is where you will form the deepest relationships. It’s unavoidable when working in a pressured situation for long periods of time. On busier audits, you’ll be staying in a hotel, working, travelling and eating all three meals with your colleagues.

I have to say that it’s not always that intense, I do have fun as well. My colleagues are friendly, talkative and good fun. We all share the common and peculiar experience of being an auditor. The day goes quicker because of it.

The wider firm

There are plenty of sports and social clubs that you can join. However, regular commit is a problem. It’s hard to find time during busy season can be tricky and you won’t be in the same place week-by-week.

I hope I’ve given an impression of the social life at a Big Four firm. Social skills are definitely important. But I believe that most people will fit in just fine. Just be yourself (nice cliqued ending).

Written by YP - an audit trainee at a big four firm

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