Sonya joined PwC on its Flying Start accountancy degree programme, which is delivered in partnership with Henley Business School. On any given day, she might calculate the value of a football player, or check how much stock a fashion company has in its warehouse
What do you do at PwC?
“I work in audit, which is so much more than number crunching. I get the opportunity to work with clients in a range of different industries. Projects can range from calculating the value of a football player through to checking how much stock a fashion company has in its warehouse. We help clients make sure they’re sustainable and environmentally friendly, provide business advice to help them achieve their goals, and focus on the total contribution of organisations to their customers, people, suppliers, community and the wider economy.”
What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
“As a senior associate, I work with my team to perform a number of different checks to make sure that we are comfortable that the information being disclosed within a company’s financial statement is all correct. I also regularly produce agendas to take to our client meetings to discuss the status of our projects and outline any key pieces of the work that the team have performed.”
How do you apply your economics qualification in your role?
“My economics A-level allowed me to develop my writing skills that I was then able to use when I write analytical reviews of trends and factors that occurred in the market. This is helpful when communicating and documenting my work to my clients.”
Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?
“I felt the Flying Start degree programme was a perfect blend of experience and theory all rolled into one degree course. It ticked all the boxes, as I was able to put what I learnt at university into practice, and gain first-hand experience in the profession I wanted to join. The programme has allowed me to hit the ground running with my career. Not only have I returned as a senior associate after graduation, I’ve been able to gain exposure to lots of different business areas throughout my placements.”
What advice do you have for someone who wants to do your role?
“It is important to be confident at what you do. There can be moments where you’re faced with technically challenging work or having difficult conversations where being able to communicate confidently is key. It is also important to remain inquisitive and flag any areas of uncertainty. Being bold enough to admit when you don’t understand something is vital to learning new skills.”
How do you see your career changing in the next five to 10 years?
“I think one of the great things about this role is that the path of progression is very clear. There are many opportunities to develop in my team in audit, but I am also open to exploring one of the many other different areas at PwC. I’m excited to see what the future brings.”
Visit pwc.co.uk/flying-start to find out more about a partnership degree at PwC
