Victoria Pickering

Name: Victoria Pickering
Club 21 Employer: Ernst and Young LLP
Degree Subject: BAcc with International Accounting
Year of Graduation: 2005

I applied through Club 21 for a summer placement with Ernst and Young and my application was successful. Over the summer, I spent 6 weeks in the Corporate Tax Assurance Department at Ernst & Young LLP in Glasgow. The range of work I undertook varied from technical compilation of tax computations and the filling in of the tax returns to targeting new clients and meeting current ones. I was asked on my first day to outline my 5 key objectives for my placement, which allowed both myself and my counsellor to gear the 6 weeks towards fulfilling them. One of my objectives was to understand better how a 'Big 4' accountancy firm worked. This was achieved, not only by me being subjected to the everyday environment of the business but also by the opportunities I was given to shadow more senior members of staff including a partner.

I was lucky to be at Ernst & Young at the time of a major sales initiative, with which I became quite involved. This involved lots of research and taking decisions as to which companies seemed worth targeting. I appreciated being given a project which I could work on between doing more technical activities, yet also realised that I had a responsibility to do it well, as no-one else was as heavily involved.

My experience in the Corporate Tax Department has made me decide to continue my studies of tax at University. It provided a good base from which to expand my knowledge and has certainly made my current courses easier to put into perspective.

My final objective outlined on my first day was to enjoy my experience at Ernst & Young. I definitely achieved this, mainly due, I think, to my attitude to work and learning, and the people I met in the business, especially those who helped me from day to day.

As a result of my internship, I was offered a training contract with the firm which begins when I graduate from University. This has provided me with security and enables me to spend my final year concentrating on my studies rather than concerning myself with lots of applications. I have also become an ambassador for Ernst & Young, within the university which has provided me with an opportunity to let others know about the placement opportunities available within the firm. This has also given me the opportunity to stay in close contact with those I had previously been working with and this will be helpful in the run up to me starting full-time with them.