Ben Sclater thought he knew what to expect on his first day at Ernst & Young. Conversations with the firm’s recruiters, interviews with partners and a ‘recruitment day’ had armed him with some knowledge about the Big
Four accounting giant and its operations. But nothing prepared him for his biggest surprise - how quickly he was made to feel part of the team.

By the end of his first day, the 22-year-old University of Wollongong commerce graduate knew his colleagues’ names, his business unit’s major clients and the cafes of choice within walking distance of the firm’s George Street headquarters. By the end of his first month, he’d been to numerous client meetings, started to build a strong internal network and was well on his way to making a
valuable contribution on audits.

“I knew the firm wanted me to hit the ground running and I was ready for that,” Sclater says. “But what really surprised me was how much help and support I
received.”

Sclater was one of 924 university graduates and school leavers who joined Ernst & Young offices around Australia in 2007 via the firm’s Graduate, Vacationer and Cadet programs. He chose to work in the firm’s Assurance and
Advisory Business Services (AABS) division. Graduates can also elect to join the Tax Services or Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) teams.

According to Ernst & Young’s National Graduate Recruitment Manager, Margie Kwan, graduates should research the firm, its clients and how its business works
so they apply for a job that best suits their skills and career goals.

“Graduates should take advantage of all the information that’s out there before they make a decision about which part of the firm to join,” Kwan says. “Talk to us on campus, talk to people you know who work in the industry and
visit our website.”

According to Kwan, part of what makes Ernst &Young such an attractive place to work are the opportunitie inherent in its business.

“Many graduates are excited about the firm’s size – we have a presence in 140 countries – and its depth,” she says. “Here, there are lots of opportunities to develop. In terms of your skills, your experience and your location, where you start is not necessarily where you stay.”

The firm has long encouraged diversity within its graduate ranks and has now taken this one step further: it’s now one of the few firms in Australia to recruit
international students.

“We’re encouraging students from abroad who are studying accounting in Australia and looking to build a career and a future here to consider us,” Kwan says.

“We think what we offer in terms of personal and professional development really sets graduates up well for a spectacular career.”

The firm sees learning as a key priority for all recruits.
In addition to what graduates pick up ‘on the job’, the firm offers internally and externally developed
‘classroom’ courses and more than 900 web-based
courses.

“The amount of learning we can take advantage of is more than I ever expected,” Sclater says. “There’s structured learning but there’s also the chance to learn new skills as you need them. It means you feel ‘armed’ with the skills and knowledge you need in most situations. That’s great for your confidence.”

Final-year students can apply to join the Sydney 2009 graduate program between Monday March 3 and Thursday April 17, 2008, by visiting www.ey.com/au/ careers.

According to Kwan, the firm strives to make the recruitment process as smooth and pleasant as possible for grads. “It’s a nerve-wracking time, even in a strong
employment market,” she says. “But we know that once people come along to some of our events, meet our people and hear about what we have to offer, they relax a little.We want people to be themselves – before and after they join us.”

Kwan also says that prospective applicants should visit Ernst & Young’s Careers page on Facebook, the first sponsored page launched by a professional services
firm in Australia.

“We did it to create a community beyond the walls of our office and hopefully it will be a great way for people to get a feel for us… who we are and what life’s
like here,” Kwan says.

Life at Ernst & Young continues to appeal to Sclater. “It’s a great place to work and the people are fantastic,” he says. “I really see a great future for myself here.”