Graduate Blog

Evie - Advisory

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Hi Everyone,

It has been a different couple of weeks. I am back in the office which a change as I have been on different clients site for pretty the last year and a half. It is nice to be back though for a while, I might use the gym eventually!

Since being back I have participated in training. Each time you move up a grade, you are provided with training to help you manage the challenges and the new responsibilities of that grade. The training was really helpful as it has prepared me for what to expect in the coming year. Also it is good to catch up with people I have not seen in a while.

Aside from training I am currently on a few different projects. Two of which are internally focused. This is a change for me as I have only been dealing with external clients until now. It is great as I am liaising with different areas of the firm such as marketing and business development and learning new skills in these areas.

Apart from that nothing else to report at the moment but deadlines are coming up so I will have plenty to share about them!

Joy - Assurance

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Hi Again!

Well I’m just back from my second year training in Spencer Dock. Each year, we all have to take part in training to prepare us for the coming year and our new responsibilities. Not only do we learn about the technical aspects of the job but we also cover soft skills, IT training etc. While there’s a lot to learn we still have time for a bit of craic, the days a broken up with games and quizzes, which are good fun. It was also nice to be in Spencer Dock for a change, I was able to catch up with people I hadn’t seen since associate training and we had a few great nights out!

Since I’ve come back from training I’ve been pretty busy. I’ve been working on Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) testing for two big clients. SOX testing involves gaining an understanding of the processes and controls the company has in place, we then test these to ensure that they are working appropriately. I’m feel I’m learning a lot on these jobs, while the annual training is good there is nothing like the hands on experience you get out on a job.

Sam - Advisory

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Hello all. It has been a busy few weeks up here in Advisory.

I’ve been part of an interesting project for the past two months. We are in the first phase of a Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Implementation for a large bank. This has involved meeting staff from all over the bank and attempting to understand and document their processes. This project has involved a large amount of time interviewing the client and dealing with them. So much so, that myself and another associate were based out on the client-site for a few weeks. This helped us to become more ‘visible’ and helped us to develop relationships with people in the bank.

Once I understood these processes, I created flowcharts to depict how and what happens when. From here I mapped risks and potential controls to an RCM (Risk Control Matrix).

I’ve learnt a huge amount from this project. My technical skills, including my Microsoft Visio and Excel skills have come on in leaps and bounds. I’ve also learnt a lot about risk, controls and how to look for mitigating controls. This has given me a solid base upon which to build an understanding of risk; a fundamental aspect of any business, regardless of industry.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with people who have experience in implementing a SOX programme and feel I have learnt a huge amount from them.

I’ve also had a two-week training course in Spencer Dock. Regardless of level, staff take part in annual training. The training focuses on both technical ‘upskilling’ and theory. It is aimed at arming staff for the year ahead with the right tools. Although there is an expectation to utilise the course and learn as much as possible, it’s also a bit of craic. We covered everything from excel tips to International Accounting Standards to soft skills.

It’s a time where you can catch up with people you haven’t seen for months. It’s also a welcome week without suits and client work. Needless to say, there are some social events planned that week!

I’m off down to Cork for a couple of weeks from Monday. Part of the reason I enjoy my time in advisory stems from the variety of projects, industries and locations. I’ll be staying at my parents place down there which means I will be get some nice home cooked dinners!

I’ll be doing some IT General Controls Testing down there. Although this is not the typical work I do, I will be working with some very experienced individuals who can show me the way.

 

 

Evie - Advisory

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Here is a quick overview of my path to PwC. After studying Commerce in UCD, I was unsure of what career route I wanted to follow. So I completed a master’s degree in Management Consultancy in Smurfit School of Business. As part of the course, I did an internship for large telecommunications company which focused on internal consultancy. After my internship I knew I wanted to focus my career on consulting however I did not want to go down the traditional accountancy route.

PwC kept popping up as the firm that would provide the opportunities that I was looking for in my career. For example, opportunities for international travel, strong client base, one of the top professional services firms in the world and it has a growing advisory practice.

The interview process was different from other firms. The day before my interview I attended a lunch, where I met other interviewees and members of the team and this helped get rid of the nerves before my interview. Luckily I was offered a position and I joined the Advisory Consulting team.

Since joining Advisory Consulting, I have worked on three major engagements with major national and international companies. I am currently working in the retail sector for a well known Irish company. It is great as there is huge amount of variety as I have previously worked in the insurance sector. There is the possibility that I will be working in the public sector in the coming weeks, so the variety is vast.

Well, this is the end of my first blog, so I hope you have a clearer idea of my background and how I ended up in PwC!!

Sam - Advisory

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My name is Sam and I am originally from Dublin although I have moved about in the past few years.

After boarding school, I went on a GAP year to Australia, before completing a 4-year degree in Business, Economics and Social Studies from Trinity.

Business has always been the area in which I wanted to pursue a career. From an early age I have been keen on how the business world works. So much so that I set-up, ran and sold a small publishing company during my 4-year tenure in Trinity.

When you are passionate about business, PwC is the only choice for starting your career. Joining PwC gives you exposure, at an early stage of your career, to decision-makers, helping young graduates to understand the way the business world works.

I chose to join the Advisory side of the practice for a number of reasons. Firstly, advisory graduates can expect to be working on projects from all industry sectors, something that really appealed to me. In my few short months, I have already worked for clients in sectors such as tourism, media, financial services, entertainment and transport. Secondly, the small nature of the division means that you know everyone and the social side of the group can be serious fun. My final reason for applying to Advisory was that if you join the Process Assurance (PA) side of the house, you can still complete your Chartered Accountancy exams.

PwC is also great craic. After joining in October last year, we went straight into ‘Christmas Season’, where Christmas parties and work nights out dominate Thursday and Friday evenings. Each division has a Sports & Social Committee who organise activities and nights out. Recent activities include a pool competition and a trip to the Leopardstown Races. The wider firm also hosts a number of activities in which new graduates are encouraged to participate, including golf days and rugby tournaments.

My first three weeks in PwC were spent out in Croke Park at a training course. This introductory training is aimed at arming you with the basic skills you need to start work. It’s also a great way to meet people and the course is littered with activities that help you to mix and mingle. Overall, it’s a great introduction to the firm.

At the moment I’m working on a 3-month project off-site in Stephen’s Green. It’s my first taste of being outside the office on a long-term basis and I’m enjoying it. From day one, you’re thrown in at the deep end and expected to complete your assigned tasks and deal with the client. It’s a steep learning curve but interesting all the same.

Philip - Assurance

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Hi there, my name is Philip. I joined PwC in October 2008 after completing a BComm and a Masters in Accounting at UCD. In the final year of my undergraduate degree I took part in the “milk round” process and applied to the majority of the large accounting firms. I chose PwC for a number of reasons. I was initially attracted to PwC during the presentation and interview process. Everyone I met was very friendly and welcoming and I immediately felt that this was the type of environment I wanted to work in.

This welcoming atmosphere continued when I joined the firm. All the new entrants were made to feel at home and encouraged to get involved from the start during the three week induction training. These weeks of training provided me with some great tools and skills which I would have to use in the weeks and months ahead and also provided me with the perfect opportunity to meet my fellow new graduates.

In PwC I work in the Banking Department within Assurance. The Banking Department work with many national and international clients ranging from large banks to multinational treasury departments. During my first year in the firm I have worked on a broad range of these companies. A number of these were particularly challenging audits; however the mentoring I received from my fellow colleagues helped to make these much easier.

I have recently returned from my summer holiday and am currently completing internal training. This training is used to bring me up to the speed with the role I will be playing within the firm over the next year. After the training I will be starting my new assignment over four weeks on a large international banking client. This will be both an interesting and challenging client. I will give you an update on this progress soon.

 

Malcolm - Tax

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Hi, my name is Malcolm and I joined PwC in October 2006. I took an unorthodox route to joining PwC as I completed a science degree in Maynooth specialising in Biology and Chemistry. I then went on to do the PDA in DIT Aungier Street.

Whilst doing the PDA I took part in the “milk round” process and applied to the majority of the big accounting firms. My decision to choose PwC was based on a number of factors but mainly the firm’s reputation for graduate training and development. I was also impressed at the ‘human’ approach to interviewing and recruitment which made me feel comfortable in choosing PwC over any of the competitors.

Upon joining PwC, I was very impressed with the enormous amount of time and effort afforded by everyone into helping me settle in and learn the ropes, not to mention the numerous opportunities for socialising with my fellow graduates and work colleagues. The training programs at the start really helped me to get to grips with what is required on a day to day basis and provide invaluable guidance when it comes to professional exams. This was particularly useful for me when sitting my accountancy exams and working in the tax department.

I am working in Consumer Industrial Products (CIP) group, which is a corporation tax department and I am in a team that specialises in privately owned / managed companies. We have a wide range of clients from grass roots start-ups to large international family run businesses. The diversity of our client portfolio affords us invaluable experience as our work varies from day to day. We also get experience in income tax when assisting our clients with their personal affairs.

I decided to apply to work in the tax department as I felt it would be more interesting work and I would get a greater exposure to a wider range of both corporate and personal clients and this has proved to be the case. The majority of my work revolves around dealing with companies and advising them of their corporation tax requirements. 

The healthy work-life balance also allows time for extracurricular pastimes. Outside of work I enjoy playing rugby, golf and have started up cycling as I have recently purchased a bicycle through PwC via the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme. In addition, the gym in work allows you easy access to great exercise facilities.

Louise - Assurance

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Hi, my name is Louise and I am a senior associate based in the Kilkenny office. I joined PwC in October in 2007 after completing a B.Comm in NUI Galway. I had completed the course with an elective in Accountancy so it seemed only natural to progress on to a job in the accountancy industry. During the “milk round” in my final year I applied to many firms both big and small, but PwC had interested me from the beginning, so once they made me the offer I accepted it with no hesitation.

What really attracted me to PwC was their experience with hiring trainees and guiding them through the further accountancy courses which we need to complete in order to obtain our qualifications. I wanted a firm which gave me the time and support to complete these exams and also the experience everyone else has from already completing the exams is invaluable.

Also, as PwC take on so many graduates every year I knew there would be a large number of other people who would be starting out in the first professional job just like me and this takes a lot of the pressure off when walking in on your first day. The training given before you even start work prepares you for your first year and sets out what will be expected from you. You get hands on experience from the beginning which is the best way to really get to know the people who you’ll be working with. As nearly everyone working in PwC has been taken on as a graduate they know exactly what it is like starting new and so are great for offering advice and showing you the ropes.

I’m based in the South East which consists of Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford. The main areas of audits we work on are CIPS (Consumer Industrial Products and Services) and Asset Management (AM). In my two years here I have worked on anything from small local charities to large investment funds. I have also had the opportunity to work in England and America on the audits of multi-nationals corporations.

At the moment I am currently studying for my FAE exams so they are pretty much taking up all of my time. Hopefully they will be worth it in the end!  

Joy - Assurance

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Hi, my name is Joy and I am an associate in the Assurance Department of PwC Cork. Prior to joining PwC, I completed a degree in Commerce in UCC. As part of my degree I did a 6 month work placement with PwC, so when I returned to college I decided to reapply to PwC for a training contract.

I started in PwC last October when I attended a three week induction training in Croke Park. With over 200 people in Assurance starting together, it was a great chance to get to know the people I would be working with for the next few years. During the training we learned a great deal about the audit process and in particular about the areas that would be assigned to us over the coming year.

I’m nearing the end of my first year, in which I have gained some great experience. In the Cork office we mainly deal with CIPS clients (Customer, Industrial Products & Services), however we also have a new AM department (Asset Management) which just opened this year. I have dealt with mainly CIPS clients this year but I also spent about 4 weeks in the AM department, where I gained useful knowledge about this area. Our busy season is from January until about April, but there are a lot of jobs all year around, including pensions and accounts preparation in the summer.

As I did Commerce in UCC, I was only exempt from Finance and Management Accounting from the CAP1, which means over the course of my contract I have to do Financial Accounting, Law and Tax for the CAP1, the CAP2s and the FAEs. I have just received my results from the CAP 1 and I passed. What a relief!

Aisling - Assurance

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It’s hard to believe that I am with the firm almost a year now. The time is flying by! It’s been a great first few months settling into working life at PwC. I have met lots of great people, new friends and have had the opportunity to work with many high profile clients. Here’s a little background information about my route into PwC and what my experience as an associate has been like so far.

It was the firm’s reputation as a market leader in Ireland and also Globally that first attracted me to PwC. Having graduated with a Degree in Commerce International & German, I took some time out to travel and to think about my future studies and career options. I knew I wanted to pursue a career which would allow me to gain experience and knowledge across a variety of industries and that would lead to future opportunities to travel with my work. Having such a broad range of top clients across a wide range of industries and offices all over the world, a career within Assurance at PwC seemed like the best choice for me, and as a keen traveller, the opportunity of a secondment to an overseas office is what really sealed the deal.

As an Associate, my role involves being part of an Audit Team, travelling to client’s sites to Audit their financial statements. What I enjoy most about my job, is the variety of clients I get to work with. Every assignment is different, with new team members to work alongside and challenges to meet.

Training and personal development of employees is central to the firm’s philosophy. I attended a three week training course at Croke Park with all the new associates before starting work at the Dublin office in Spencer Dock. 

The bright, open plan office at Spencer Dock is a great place to work. There are excellent onsite facilities with a fantastic Gym that’s open 24 hours a day and holds regular fitness classes at lunch time and in the evenings.

My first year in PwC, has been both challenging and rewarding. Time Management has been key to maintaining a healthy work / life balance and to juggling work alongside your studies and other interests. I have always been involved in Irish Dancing prior to joining the firm, with training and performances on a regular basis. I was a little anxious as to how I would manage to maintain such a balance by giving my full commitment to my new role at PwC whilst at the same time, staying involved with the dancing scene. 

PwC is very supportive in terms of encouraging employees to keep up their extra curricular activities after joining the firm. I’ve had endless support from PwC enabling me too balance the two. I’ve also been able to use my leave to fund time spent training with Riverdance and a recent trip to perform in China

For graduates thinking about joining PwC, I would advise you to take advantage of recruitment events and presentations at your College or University. I would say to come in with a positive attitude and approach to your training. Be prepared to work hard and in return you’ll receive first class training and development, gain invaluable experience and meet lots of new friends and great people.