Audit graduate careers: What does it take to succeed in audit?
Starting a career in audit might not be quite what you expect. There’s much more to it than numbers and spreadsheets, from working directly with clients and understanding how businesses operate to building relationships and developing skills that can shape your entire career.
With applications for our Graduate Audit Trainee Programme now open, we sat down with Hetal Mistry, Audit Partner at Nyman Libson Paul, to talk about what a career in audit really looks like at NLP.
From what he looks for in graduate applications to the experience trainees can expect in their first year, Hetal shares his insight into starting out in audit, the culture of the team and what graduates can gain from beginning their career at an independent firm like NLP.
What do you look for in a graduate beyond their degree and academic results?
Academic results are important, but they only tell part of the story. I look for personality, attitude and a genuine willingness to learn.
At NLP, we have a fantastic team culture, so it’s important that new joiners are people who will fit in well, work collaboratively and contribute positively to the environment around them. I also look for individuals who are proactive, curious and willing to take ownership of their development.
The graduates who tend to do really well are often the go-getters. They’re entrepreneurial in their thinking, keen to build relationships and prepared to get involved rather than waiting to be told what to do. That mindset aligns well with the type of firm we are.
A lot more than they might expect.
What can someone expect to be doing in their first year?
From day one, graduates are working towards their professional qualification while gaining practical experience through real client work. They’ll receive structured training, support with their exams and exposure to a variety of businesses and sectors.
Some days they’ll be working alongside colleagues in the office, and on others they’ll be out at client premises gaining first-hand experience. They’ll be interacting with clients, building technical knowledge and developing the professional skills needed to become a trusted adviser.
Every week brings something different, which is one of the reasons the role is so rewarding.
How would you describe the culture of the Audit team to someone who has never stepped inside the office?
I’d describe it as supportive, ambitious and genuinely friendly.
We’re a team that works hard, but we also enjoy spending time together. People know each other well, collaborate openly and are always willing to help when someone needs support. It’s not uncommon to see colleagues socialising outside of work or celebrating each other’s successes.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our staff retention. Many of our people build long-term careers with us, helped by initiatives such as our Manager Pathway programme, which provides a clear route for progression and development.
Most importantly, they’re simply good people to be around. Graduates quickly become part of the team and have a strong support network around them from day one.
What do you think NLP offers a graduate that they might not experience at a much larger firm?
One of the biggest differences is breadth of experience.
At NLP, graduates don’t spend months working on just one section of an audit or a single type of assignment. Instead, they gain exposure to the entire audit process while also developing skills in accounts preparation, corporation tax and even advisory work across a wide range of sectors.
This gives them a much broader understanding of how businesses operate and helps them develop into well-rounded accountants much earlier in their careers.
The other difference is the people. In a larger organisation, it’s easy to feel like one person among thousands. At NLP, everyone knows your name. You’ll work closely with managers, directors and partners, your contribution will be recognised, and you’ll have real opportunities to make an impact from the outset.
What would you say to someone who is considering applying but isn’t quite sure whether audit is for them?
I’d say don’t rule it out based on what you think audit is.
Many people assume audit is simply about numbers and spreadsheets, but in reality it’s a people-focused profession. Every day involves meeting business owners, finance teams and senior leaders, understanding how their organisations operate and helping build trust in financial information.
Audit gives you a unique opportunity to learn how different businesses work, from entrepreneurial start-ups to established organisations across a wide range of sectors. Few careers provide such a broad commercial education at such an early stage.
If you’re curious, enjoy solving problems, like working with people and want a career that offers continuous learning and development, audit could be a much better fit than you realise. Even if you don’t spend your entire career in audit, the business, commercial and interpersonal skills you develop will benefit you wherever your future career takes you