PWC Flying Start Accounting Program

[MonkeyTennis34]

DS2 Y13 is going to apply for this program after having been on an open day a few weeks ago.

We're really pleased as it's the first thing he's shown any enthusiasm for but he knows he's got to work really hard to get the grades (AAA).

Any advice on what he should put on his personal statement?

What I also meant to ask (DD was talking to me at the same time) was whether it's a good program, company to work for??

My only advice is to consider mid tier firms too, particularly for a more personal working environments - working for the big 4 is not necessarily a pleasant place to be (only speaking from my experience though, appreciate it’s different for everybody).

@Toooldtopretend
Oh! That doesn't sound great...in what way wasn't it pleasant?

At his age Big 4 will be better. PWC especially gives kids this age early responsibility in a structured way and by the time he’s 21 and the grads start he might well have better quality work experience.

It all depends on the individuals. I went in with 20 years experience but hated it. Impersonable, dog eat dog and people would do anything for self advancement, maybe if you’ve never known different it would be ok though 🤷🏻‍♀️
The model is based on huge grad/junior intake every year so a huge number also leave as soon as they qualify, that’s why the average age is something like 26 in the firm.

Maybe in audit but not necessarily in other streams/areas. They work on huge jobs so people end up working on a tiny aspect instead of getting rounded experience in all aspects.

I don’t work for pwc but work for a similar firm. I would be encouraging him to bring out extracurricular activities, teamwork, where he has led things, shown initiative, academic achievements etc. It’s a great firm to work for.

I think it's a great scheme and an accountancy qualification can open so many doors. When you get higher up in the firm (or similar firms), the politics can become tiresome but at the junior level, it's a pretty good lifestyle

Big 4 get their pound of flesh from you. Long hours under time pressure.

The positives are it's great on your CV and at that age there is a great social aspect to it as well, you're all on it together.

It's a means to an end, but does set you up brilliantly for a future career

I teach someone who got on the scheme a few years ago. She loves it. Great opportunities and a well structured program. PWC is a good place to work and can be very social too.

Thanks all 💐

I think it's worth him applying to the equivalent Big 4 apprenticeships...?

The PwC Flying Start degrees (accountancy and tech) are the ultimate 'have your cake and eat it' option: the classic uni experience and structured professional work experience hardwired in throughout the programme.

The apprenticeships offered by the other firms for accountancy follow the more traditional pattern of going straight into the world of work, doing professional exams along the way. You do not step into a university at any stage. You will typically live at home and commute in or, if you do move away, need to be sufficiently resilient to secure accommodation and build up a social network without the traditional uni scaffolding.

I have DC who have gone down this latter route and have absolutely embraced it but you do have to understand that you are giving up the uni experience and diving straight into the world of limited holiday allowances, chargeable time recording and the rest of it.

I worked at PwC for nearly 20 years (qualified at a smaller firm prior to that) and generally, I'd say it's a great place to work. Long hours/flexibility are expected, but there are lots of benefits. It's fast paced and sociable.

The Flying Start scheme does sound like the best of both worlds, as they get the uni experience - although of course, they will leave uni with some debt. The other apprenticeship schemes will be hard work, combining full time work with study, but good for ambitious types and no debt.

I was gutted when DD did a virtual work experience with PwC after GCSE's and pronounced it dull!

My big-Four accounting firm days are a distant memory but, through my rose-tinted glasses, it was a great place to work. Sometimes you have to work long hours, but you won't be the only one. There was a great "team culture" whilst training. Yes, some managers have borderline personality disorders, but you can usually swerve towards work that you find interesting once you have found your feet.

What to put in your application (check the guidance on their website; I thought there was a fair amount)? Work experience? If you haven't done any, think of a good reason why not? What have you done to find out about this role (have you chatted to any current students, do you know anybody who works there)?... Try looking for the threads in Student Room; I looked at a few when DD applied.

Good luck; I believe that the places are massively over-subscribed.

I have two close relatives - one went in to one of the Big Four as a grad, and the other took the 5-year apprentice route. Both are thriving and have been well supported, and are out-earning their peers. It’s been great for them.

I qualified with a small firm. It was good for me as they offered me the training contract at 18 and I didn't want to.go.away, I wanted to work, and I lived in rural Devon. I did well, qualified and left for a prospective partnership in a similar size firm and was a partner as soon as I completed the further two years experience. We did a bit of everything - yes, including audit back then

But, I pretty much immediately bought myself out of working for the top 10 (as it was then - inc Arthur Anderson and Coopers and Lybrand!)

They have high expectations but, they are doing you a favour really, as.pass, and you have a qualification for life!

@oblomov24 just wondering if you have any guidance?
OP, PwC are one of the top 4 global financial services firms. They’re big! It’s definitely worth applying if he definitely wants to do accountancy. As you will know the Flying Start scheme gives them 12 out of 15 professional exams and they take those final 3 alongside ppl on the grad scheme or current apprentices. They’re VERY well looked after and supported on placement but are expected to work hard. PwC no longer offer a school leaver apprenticeship for accountancy (last intake was Autumn 2021). However, the other Big4 - KPMG, Ernst & Young, and Deloitte still do albeit there’s thousands of applicants for a hand full of places. There was 40 on DDs. Lots of mid tier firms offer apprenticeships too.
For DD1 she applied to around 8 apprenticeships and had university (economics) as her back up plan. There’s no reason why he can’t apply to a number of apprenticeships, then have Flying start as one of his uni options but also have another uni finance degree as back up. I’d be reluctant to apply for 2 flying start uni options.

Oh and DD1 was only just 18 when she started and has not found it remotely dog eat dog. They absolutely get their pound of flesh out of her and she works her backside off. At both the job and exams. But everyone has been lovely and the culture in her opinion is supportive. There’s been a couple of jerks (as there would be in most organisations) but they soon get called out.

I’m a (junior) partner at another big 4 and it’s a great place to work!

yes of course they will need to work hard - but they will learn a lot and the opportunities are second to none - these are the largest professional services firms in the world, and the opportunities to move between service lines or participate in client or international secondments are brilliant

and of course, a big 4 training can be the perfect platform for so many other great things - your child could be a CFO of a listed company!

the equivalent of that programme at my firm has been great - we have had some brilliant brilliant 18 year olds come through the doors and a few years later they are really riding high - going into manager positions or in house

I don’t think your child will regret it.

ps I didn’t train in a big 4 firm but wish I did!

In response - yes it’s the largest professional services firm in the world. And one of the most well known. The perfect place of training for some of the worlds top CFOs, CEOs, you name it

as things to do after school (or uni) can’t get much better or bigger

Thanks @NotDonna ❤️
What exactly would you like to know Op? Ds1 is in year 3 of 4 at Notts. He is actually on placement now 3 months till Christmas, at Canary Wharf, apartment, paid employment. Enjoying it very much indeed.
The whole process and tests and interviews are very tough. Lots get rejected, but there are good websites with info re the whole process and tips you can try the tests , the student room.
I'd also apply for PwC other apprenticeships, and all other firms, EY, BDO, Deloitte etc.

I don't know if any of this background stuff helps but what else has ds done? Has he done absolutely everything he can to help? (Not sure any of it does actually help, but it's got to be worth a shot?) - Is his EPQ on something money/accountancy/financial? Has he applied to any of the PwC days / meetings/ night time sessions to show extra interest. Any other ways of getting any experience at all, applying for a day/week/weekend work experience at any local ACA or ACCA firm. Student room has tips on the whole process, which tests to try out beforehand, what not to do at each stage.

Even then, it's 4000+ applicants for 200 places at each uni (40 places x the 5 unis), it's a tough path. But I still reckon it's one of the best. I mean what's not to like? You get the fun of uni, plus the autumnal placements, the fun of working with fellows who want what you want, practically a guaranteed job, then qualified, sitting the final 3 papers, at a young age. I still think it's a corking deal/route.

Thanks everyone!
@Oblomov24
He's been on the PWC Open Day and visited Reading Uni where he talked to a couple of students on the course.

His EPQ is about something financial.

He seems enthusiastic about the course...the only thing holding him back are his grades. He's currently predicted A, B, C...Film Studies, Maths and Physics in that order.
He thinks he can pull them up to A, B, B which are the requirements at a couple of the PWC affiliated universities (I can't remember which ones).

It's incredibly competitive so we shall see.

He will need to get those pesky grades up I’m afraid. DD1 is blown away by the calibre of grads entering atm - they’ve a PhD guy just started 🤯 Also do look at the universities offering Flying Start as despite it being exactly the same degree/PwC experience I believe Nottingham, Manchester and Queen Mary’s want AAA but Reading & Newcastle are AAB.

Yes. Audit senior manager here in a big 4 firm. Get as much experience as he can under his belt. Apply to them all. Make sure he understands the different types of roles. Also write a cover letter for any jobs he’s applying for and make sure it’s specific to the company and the role.