What is the next stage after onboarding process and how is the first year as an audit assistant?

Hello & thank you for your question! Once you have onboarded at EY, if you are completing a qualification such as ICAS you will then be at classes for the first level of exams (Test of Competence) which are sat a couple of months after you join. Once you have finished those exams there is a period of 7/8 months where you will be working on client engagements, engaging with colleagues and receiving on the job training. Your role can differ depending on the department you are allocated to within the assurance practice (e.g. UKI/FS and then sub-service lines) however it will largely involve completing fieldwork therefore completing work papers, performing recalcs etc allowing you to understand different balances and how to test different financial statement accounts. The first year can be varied allowing you exposure to different clients, types of Company and engagement teams which is good for development. At the end of the c.8 months you will then sit the second level of ICAS exams which will see you on study leave for a period of 5/6 weeks returning almost into the start of your second year at EY!