Ross | Summer Intern to Audit Associate

What initially attracted you to the internship and the NAO?

I’ve always been interested in politics and public service, and the NAO is probably the only place where you are independent from the Government yet get to see so much on how it operates and its relationship with Parliament. I was keen to land an internship where I could gain technical skills as well as some experience interacting with clients, and I also really wanted to live in London for a summer to see if I could envision myself moving here after university. The internship fulfilled all of this and more, and I had a wonderful summer in between my studies!

What did you learn from the internship, and how did it help you prepare for the graduate scheme?

I was completely new to the world of audit, accounting, and had no idea what the ACA graduate scheme was even about. We were given loads of guidance from trainers and colleagues which made me comfortable and confident in my decision to pursue the ACA qualification after university and return to the NAO. Most people have no history of accounting or finance before the internship, so all the interns were learning together.

What’s been your proudest moment or biggest achievement so far?

I visited my client’s site a few times during the internship, helping with audit procedures and working alongside my team and the client. This was not only remarkable fun but gave me a true sense of accomplishment and pride when I could actually see, in person, the impact and importance of my work.

What would be your top three tips for graduates applying for jobs?

Do not worry about your degree background, as there is a diverse array of educational backgrounds across the NAO. Leverage your studies at university the best you can, but don’t let your degree completely define you.

Similarly, do not worry about learning the ins and outs of audit or the ACA programme when applying for this role or similar opportunities. You are taught everything from scratch, so it will make no difference for your application to the NAO.

Finally, for the broader application process to other jobs after graduation, be patient and be resilient. The rejections and non-replies can be demoralising, but eventually something will land as long as you stay motivated and keep pushing during application season.