EY Empower - Assurance Graduate Programme - September 2023

About the Bright Network - EY Empower Programme

EY Empower is a new initiative developed in partnership with Bright Network, specifically designed to support those who come from traditionally under-represented groups in the industry.

If accepted on to the programme, you will be offered in-depth coaching and support throughout the rest of the EY recruitment process, to help you realise your full potential.

This will be provided across a variety of formats, including group and 1-2-1 coaching sessions, and sign-posting to relevant upskilling tools and material.

EY Empower: Assurance Graduate Programme

About the programme

Push the boundaries of client solutions as you help them navigate the ever-changing audit environment. Pick up the skills you need to tackle international cross-industry challenges. And work with organisations big and small – from governments to start-ups – aiding in their financial success. This is where you can have a true client-facing, digital-first impact on the world of assurance while crafting a career that is both varied and structured.

What will you be doing?

• Getting to know our clients, their businesses and how they work.
• Laying the foundations for a successful career in audit.
• Gaining a broad understanding of how businesses work – from HR to Marketing.
• Analysing the data that goes into a financial statement to make sure it is true and fair.
• Spending substantial periods of time travelling to other offices and client sites.
• You will also be expected to work longer hours during peak times.

How is it structured?

Across this three-year Level 7 Apprenticeship, study for a professional qualification in Chartered Accountancy and gain the skills you need to lead the way for impactful audits.

From day one, you can expect to be fully immersed within our work, getting involved with big audits for clients. You’ll liaise, connect, report, deliver and instil confidence for all kinds of businesses. You’ll even enjoy the chance to embed yourself within your clients’ organisations, collaborating from within their offices and taking on business and mobility opportunities when they arise.

Throughout the programme, you’ll shadow senior colleagues and study for a world-class qualification. People who do well here are resilient and keen to pick up new skills wherever they can. You’ll use your inquisitive nature to solve unique client challenges and capitalise on your communication skills to broaden your professional network. The experience is yours to own and the team dynamic yours to navigate. Enjoy the support of mentors as you define where you want your career to go beyond the graduate landscape.

Alongside our programme offering, we give you all the training and exposure to real-world work you could want. We also offer company-wide and programme-specific rewards that make all the hard work worthwhile. These include wellbeing initiatives, a free tech MBA, healthcare support, a pension scheme and more.

Technology in Assurance

From implementing digital approaches into our global audit methodology to processing millions of transactions into visual analytics solutions, innovation and technology are at the heart of this programme. Enjoy structured training that will provide you with all the digital technology skills you need and support us in driving our strategy as we shape the future of auditing.

This is where your adventure begins and where you have every opportunity to build an exceptional experience. Embrace the challenge as you help us build a better working world for everyone.

Are you curious about the Assurance programme and want to find out more? Visit our website or chat to our current Assurance Graduates to have your questions answered.

Are you eligible to apply?

If you meet the EY Empower criteria below, you’re in your final year at university, or if you’ve already graduated, this opportunity is for you. 

To be eligible for the EY Empower programme, you must identify within any of the listed groups below:

• A minority ethnic group, including (but not limited to) Black Heritage, Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Heritage and Asian 
• Female
• LGBTQ+
• From a lower socio-economic background
• Identify as having a disability

We operate an open access policy, meaning we don’t screen out applications on your academic performance alone. You will however, need to be working towards an honours degree in any subject - some programmes will require a subject relevant to the business area, and have a minimum of grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and Maths and three A-levels/Five Highers (or equivalent) to be eligible to apply.

EY welcome applications from all students, regardless of their background. If the above does not apply to you, please submit your application directly - here

The process

To get started, fill in a short initial application form and answer one motivational question by clicking the apply now button.
If your initial application is successful, you will then receive details of how to access the relevant coaching and support sessions, along with the instructions of how to complete EY’s application portal as an Empower programme candidate.

Note: If you’ve applied for EY in the last 6 months, unfortunately you will be unable to apply for this opportunity.

Learn more

Immerse yourself in our world whilst exploring your options at the forefront of business. Get to know the part you could play in our organisation. And discover what it means to experience EY your way.

Find out more about our opportunities and how to apply.

Our world. Your way.