Trainee auditor's blogs

We thought it would be useful if you could hear from a couple of our Trainee Auditors as they progressed through the graduate recruitment programme. To learn what they are up to day-to-day, week-to-week and month-to-month. We have asked two (willing) volunteers to update a blog on a fortnightly basis on what they have done, learned and experienced so far. Interesting, eh? Well, read on ...

Exams are over...

10 May 2010

Hi everyone! I passed my exams and am back at college again. Sometimes I find it really hard to get home from work at 5.30 and start working again in the evening to get all my college reading done. The Commission has changed the way college works for new trainees this year so you do four exams in December rather than two in December and two in June. This is done in a 'block release' format so you're only ever working or studying – never both like the 'old' trainees like me. I'm very jealous!

I was pleasantly surprised to be emailed by a recruitment company this week, hoping to attract qualified or part-qualified students into a position with a local council, stating that preference would be given to CIPFA accountants. (Apparently the email was sent to everyone in my college class, so I quickly stopped feeling so smug at being 'headhunted'). Although I'm a long way from the end of my training contract with the Commission it's good to know that other organisations are actively trying to recruit CIPFA trainees and that they recognise the value of the qualification.

Today the district auditor (the most senior position in each of the Audit Commission offices) took half a day of her time to do some more training with the new trainees in my area – even making us l a cup of tea halfway through! One of the things that I really like about the Commission is the way everyone in my office is treated the same no matter what level you're at – everyone takes turns to make the tea, everyone's opinions are valued, and everyone is given opportunities to develop. I don't know if it's the same in all the offices throughout the country, but the people in my office are the reason I really enjoy coming to work every day.

Posted by: NB