Q: Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
The common path of university following secondary education didn’t appeal to me. I didn’t feel attracted to any university course and I believed that I would benefit more from starting my journey as an apprentice to gain crucial experience while most of my peers pursued their studies. I also believed that the on-the-job experience would be more beneficial than a degree, as I could gain key skills that aren’t available in the classroom. My other key considerations were the cost of attending university, opportunities for progression via an apprenticeship and the industry I wanted to work in.
Q: How did you find out about apprenticeships in internal audit?
Most of my research into apprenticeships in the finance and banking industry involved areas of assurance, data analytics, compliance and financial services. I found out about internal auditing through social media and conversations with individuals at my college who had past career experience in compliance and assurance.
Q: What did you know about internal audit when you applied?
I knew very little about internal audit when I initially applied for roles in the industry. I therefore researched and tried to discover more about it and how it interlinks with the rest of the organisation. I became interested in internal audit in financial services organisations, because it allowed me to get exposure to the entire business and build my skills for the beginning of my career.
What do you think are the main benefits of doing an internal audit apprenticeship?
The main benefits include the exposure you receive to the industry and organisation you work for. Through internal auditing, I’ve gained extensive knowledge of risk management, control processes and governance within Barclays, as well as learning about external factors such as applicable standards/regulations and third-party suppliers within my role. In just over a year, I have gained huge exposure to these areas and others in the bank and will be able to use this knowledge and my skills in any position I find myself in.
Q: What aspects of the apprenticeship have you found most challenging?
Barclays is a huge organisation with national and international presence and, as a result, especially in the first six-eight months, it was difficult to grasp the roles and responsibilities of internal audit across the entire organisation.
Q: What would you tell someone thinking of starting an internal audit apprenticeship?
To do their research. Internal audit can be a fantastic place to work, but it can definitely be challenging and may not suit everyone, Doing plenty of research during the application process to find out about auditing and the organisation/industry you’ll be working in is vital to understand whether it is the right career for you. I would recommend an apprenticeship in internal auditing as I believe you gain unique and invaluable skills early in your career and this allows you to stand out from the crowd and develop your skills and experience.
Q: What opportunities do you believe your apprenticeship will offer you and how do you think it will support your long-term career ambitions?
I believe it will offer me options to pursue several things that may interest me and will enable me to gain a fantastic understanding of the industry. The skills and experience I am gaining are essential and will always be impactful throughout my career. In terms of a starting point, internal auditing is one of the best places to learn and grow.
Q: Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
Throughout school I dreamt of attending university to gain as much education as possible to broaden my career opportunities. When I looked into university and career options, I read many articles comparing the benefits of university to those of an apprenticeship. On reflection, I realised that apprenticeships offer both education and experience, and many are tailored to school leavers.
Q: How did you find out about apprenticeships in internal audit?
When I searched for apprenticeship opportunities in the banking and finance sector, I discovered multiple internal audit apprenticeships. This led me to research what an internal auditor does in their day-to-day role.
Q: What did you know about internal audit when you applied?
Online research and conversations with friends and family who work in organisations with internal audit functions taught me that internal audit is a supporting function that looks at risk and controls and undertakes reviews of different areas across an organisation.
Q: What do you think are the main benefits of doing an internal audit apprenticeship?
Completing an internal audit apprenticeship has allowed me the rare opportunity to gain unique insight into the operation and governance of a large company, and the wider banking sector, all while gaining experience and qualifications to support my current and future work.
Q: What aspects of the apprenticeship have you found most challenging?
The most challenging aspect is the unique position of being an internal audit apprentice. Many internal auditors join with a wealth of experience across other departments and industries, so starting my career in this role felt quite uncommon. There were gaps in my knowledge that more experienced colleagues do not necessarily have. Utilising this unique experience as an opportunity to learn, rather than seeing it as a hinderance, has enabled me to use my colleagues’ experience to progress my development as an internal auditor, alongside tailoring my studies to these knowledge gaps.
Q: What would you tell someone thinking of starting an internal audit apprenticeship?
I would tell them to be inquisitive and ready to challenge themself. Performing a variety of audits often means having to switch topic and pick up the content quickly. There is always something new to learn in internal audit. Asking questions is the most important part of being an efficient internal auditor – don’t worry about asking questions that may seem obvious, as it is often this way that things are overlooked, and risks materialise.
Q: What opportunities do you believe your apprenticeship will offer you and how do you think it will support your long-term career ambitions?
I believe my apprenticeship, and the certifications I have obtained through it, will provide me with a range of career opportunities across industries. Internal auditors possess unique skills that are valuable in many roles, so I believe that, should I wish to switch departments or sectors in the future, my apprenticeship has equipped me with the necessary experience, knowledge and skills to challenge myself in other roles throughout my career.
To find out more about level 4 and level 7 apprenticeships in internal audit, contact studentsupport@charterediia.org and read our article on our new apprenticeship programmes and certifications.
