As part of our graduate recruitment campaign, we asked some of our current trainees to blog about why they first applied and what life is like on the Wales Audit Office graduate programme.

Here, Jodie Williams writes about her personal reflections.

To find out more about the scheme, and how to apply, please visit our website [opens in new window].

After graduating in 2010, I worked for a local authority. Within my previous employment we were subject to an annual audit by the Wales Audit Office. I was always very intrigued by the work the Wales Audit Office undertakes and when I became aware of the graduate programme I decided a career change was in order and applied.

One of the major factors which attracted me to apply for this graduate scheme was the opportunity to audit public bodies and, as cliché as it sounds, to work for an organisation which can make a difference in the public sector.

It was a little daunting transitioning from a secure job in which I had worked for almost 7 years to a career I had no experience in. However, I have no regrets! I am based in the North Wales team and could not have wished for more supportive and welcoming colleagues. The week prior to starting my induction I was invited along to the team’s cluster meeting. Being able to meet the whole team prior to starting my first audit definitely put me at ease. I was also assigned a buddy for me to raise any queries with no matter how large or small.

The work I have been involved in since I joined the graduate scheme in 2017 has been both varied and challenging. I have been part of audit teams of a local health board and various local authorities including auditing grant claims. We are mobile employees and therefore are mainly based at client sites.

As part of the graduate scheme, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to go on secondment to another public body for around 5 months. I am due to go on secondment in the near future to a local health board and am really looking forward to the new experiences and challenges this will bring with working in a different area of financial accounting. Other trainees who have been on secondment have expressed how beneficial it was for them.

The study package provided as part of the graduate scheme is very generous. We are given paid study leave to attend college in Cardiff for tuition and exam preparation whilst studying towards the internationally recognised ICAEW professional qualification (ACA).

Having not studied for 7 years I was a little concerned at first that I may have forgotten how to revise! However, I feel that both the tuition provider and my work colleagues have been extremely supportive and are more than willing to provide a helping hand.

About the author

Jodie joined the Wales Audit Office Graduate Trainee Programme in 2017.

She is a graduate of Bangor University, where she studied Psychology.