Is audit a good starting point for a career in finance?

Audit is definitely a great starting point, as you cover all areas of the business in audit work. For example, you will be auditing accounts from cash to investments, and also perform audit procedures over IT systems, so basically you'll know more about the accounting of the company than the accountants themselves!So the skills you learn, you'll be able to transfer over to most areas of finance. There's also soft skills you hone such as team working, organisation, management etc. which will come in handy if you're ever looking towards something else

Does EY promote movement to other areas of finance while still remaining within the company?

The ability to move service line varies from office location and capacity in each of these service lines. It is certainly something that is available to do though, I know of people who have moved to tax or into forensics after audit.

Thanks for the reply Harry!
How has your experience with audit been in terms of the transition from education?

I joined from University and the adjustment didn't take much time. I began at college studying for my accountancy qualification and then moved onto client work. Like university, no one is instructing you in everything you do. A lot is dictated by what tasks you have to do throughout the day. Of course, help and support is very much available at the start and with experience you quickly get used to the role and responsibilities.

What did you study at university and how well did it translate into your job?

I studied Medicine at university. The main skills that I apply in my day-to-day work is communication (both with clients and the audit team), teamwork, critical thinking and organisation