Adventures of an Audit Associate

My Journey into an Audit Apprenticeship at Scrutton Bland…

Hello, I’m James, and I’ve been working as an Audit Associate at Scrutton Bland for the past three months.

And to my surprise, the world of accounting is not just about numbers.

Instead, it’s a brilliant and engaging field with an amazing community of like-minded people who, from day one have provided me with incredible support and guidance.

So, in this first of my “Audit Apprenticeship Adventures”, I wanted to share my experience so far, so that if you’re thinking about a career in accountancy or trying to decide if an apprenticeship is right for you, then (spoiler alert) hopefully I’ll encourage you to explore this path too.

What I expected vs the reality…

When I started, I had no idea what to expect, other than a lot of numbers, and that I was nervous about the amount I’d need to learn having not worked in the industry before. But that uncertainty made everything even more exciting as I encountered new experiences every day.

From day one I was partnered with a “buddy” – a fantastic scheme where newly recruited employees are paired up with an experienced colleague who’s there to guide you and provide support. I was also really encouraged to reach out to anyone in the department for help.

With regular new apprentices and team members joining the business, everyone is more than willing to help you, and trust me, they don’t bite!

Speaking of questions, I can’t stress enough how important it is to ask them. Everyone is happy to explain something to you, and there’s no such thing as too many. My team have encouraged me to always give it my best shot, and if I’m stuck, to just reach out.

During my first month, I was surprised by how quickly I went into auditing my first client.

Connecting with new people has always been a challenge for me. I’ve never been the best at speaking in front of a crowd, whether in meetings or presentations, but in just a short time working at Scrutton Bland, I’ve seen a significant boost in my social skills.

I now look forward to interacting with and meeting our clients, building relationships, and learning about how they run their businesses. Auditing in particular encourages the opportunity to develop a wide range of interpersonal skills, possibly more so than in other accounting roles. The nature of the job actively enhances communication, as you’re regularly interacting with clients and colleagues rather than being confined to the office.

So, what exactly does an Audit Associate do?

Well, at Scrutton Bland, you’re treated like any other auditor from day one, and I’ve truly felt like part of the team. As an apprentice you get dedicated study days once a week, where you can focus on your accounting course through their training provider, First Intuition. But the best part is that you’re still a full-time employee, learning, putting it into action, and gaining experience on the job at the same time.

My first audit was incredible. I got to go through my very first tests and walkthroughs that were fascinating. One of my favourites was the payroll transaction test, where I felt like a detective, searching for employees to verify their existence, and ensuring the client was paying real people. If we find discrepancies, we then look further as to where the money is going. It’s a really fun task, and as I started doing the tests more often, I’ve been able to understand them better and why we doing them which has helped when I’ve needed to explain anything to the client in order to get more information.

This is just one aspect of being an auditor though, and I’ve already found that there are plenty more tests and responsibilities to keep you busy every day.

Being an auditor often involves travel too, especially if the client is far away, which is my favourite part as I get to visit new places. I love being in the office too, as it’s great to reconnect with colleagues I haven’t seen in a while who’ve been on their own audits. Switching between on-site and off-site also keeps things varied and makes sure that no two days are the same.

What makes Scrutton Bland apprenticeships different from the rest?

One of the standout features that sets Scrutton Bland apart from other accountancy firms is its strong commitment to mental health awareness and community involvement. And this was the main reason I wanted to join.

The firm actively encourages employees to participate in various activities that not only boost engagement but also support local communities. A great example is the recent “SB Bake-Off,” where we showcased our baking skills in a competition to win the title of best cake, alongside a sale of all the creations to raise money for the Suffolk, Mid and Northeast Essex Mind charities. We’ve also had the ice cream van visit the Ipswich office during the summer for a free ice cream and a wellbeing walk straight after.

Scrutton Bland genuinely cares about your wellbeing and understands that life isn’t just about work. They prioritise your health and ensure you’re fully supported if you ever feel burnt out, stressed, or face any other challenges. Plus, they have confidential 24/7 helplines and support programs available from day one that I’ve found incredibly helpful whenever I’ve needed any extra support.

The community at Scrutton Bland…

Although I’ve only been here for three months, it already feels like I’m part of the family. One of the highlights has been the incredible team spirit in our department. During my first week, we went out for lunch at the local pub, and I was introduced to the tradition of asking 21 questions to get to know me. It was such a great way to break the ice, nowhere near as scary as it might sound, and I found myself getting to know them just as much in the process.

We’ve since also enjoyed a funny game of rounders and football after our department meeting, which brought everyone together and helped the other new starters feel closer to the team.

Everyone is supportive whenever you need it and, as a department, they are genuinely eager to help each other succeed.

So far, every step of this apprenticeship has been both enjoyable and rewarding and I feel lucky to have joined such a positive work environment that makes me consistently motivated to work.

Looking for a career in accountancy that you can really grow into? Keep an eye on our website to find out more information and how to apply. Our Audit Apprenticeships always receive a large number of applications, so be creative to make yourself stand out from the crowd!