What should a graduate expect from training in Assurance?

Hi Eirina, I actually joined as a graduate in Assurance and completing the training contract. It's a great way to start your career in business/accountancy as you will get a lot of client interaction from day 1 and you will spend a lot of time on different client sites so a lot of travel. You will also work towards your professional qualification to become a chartered accountant.

There is also a lot of team working which is great.

Hope this is helpful but let me know if you have any further questions on this.

Hi Rachel, thank you for your helpful advice. Considering Assurance graduates will be doing their ICAS exam, I am interested to know the differences between the ICAEW and ICAS. Is there a specific reason EY chooses to use the ICAS instead of ICAEW for graduates?

Some locations and service lines still choose to do ICAEW! The best way to check which locations/service lines offer each would be to check on the webiste. There is nothing materially different from them at all. The same subjects are covered and both will end up with you being a Chartered Accountant!

Thank you, Rachel! :)

No problem at all!

I would like to thank you too Rachel! I would like to know more about working in clients' offices and travelling. Do the trainees spend more time under clients' roof or in the EY office? Are the clients who host us close to the EY office of training and how long could working in a client's office take?

This depends on the office and the clients you are on. Often I would say in Assurance you will work more often in client's offices than in EY's offices just given the nature of the work we do. We need to be able to obtain documents and be able to speak to clients in person. The majority of client's will be in commuting distance from the local office. If there was any client's offices further away then you would be put up with accommodation and travel expenses would be reimbursed.

Many thanks Rachel! That was really insightful!

No problem at all