KPMG 360 Apprentice Review

We rotate around the three main functions of audit, tax and advisory. Currently I am based in audit and have had a previous experience in advisory in Risk Consulting. The work dramatically varies day to day and most of the time you feel like you are contributing significantly to the company. There are those days of scanning documents/create presentations but by and large are the minority and in audit these days are non-existent.

This program is amazing for training skill-sets all over the functions. Not only are you training to complete your AAT level 3 and 4 before moving onto a level 7 qualification but you get internal training in each department to the point where you are being asked to do manager's work because they don't understand an area as well as you. So far I've completed IT in the audit training, SOAR, several AAT modules and Audit 1a along with others.

I really enjoy the varied experiences I've been having, one day I could be in the office exploring a financial services client, the next I could be travelling to a different country to audit a manufacturing company.

Very, managers are so appreciative of the work if you put the hours in which are by far the most lenient of the big 4 (don't worry you can still work 24hrs if you really want) and with the encore system we have you get additional money for doing especially well.

The program itself has only been running a few years now and has expanded considerably, this has definitely been a challenge in terms of finding placements for all the apprentices (over a hundred). Some people have had to go without placements/delayed placements meaning they have limited workloads and experiences. My advice being know what you want to go into first and convey that with strong emphasis.

Any question asked is answered and help required is given.

Online support, several buddies, managers, engagement manager, colleagues, senior managers, personal manager, several kpmg 360 managers. If you don't think you're receiving enough support on this program then you must have missed the 10 plus people you could have asked for help (not including training providers as well)

For me personally I had to move out when I accepted the place as it was too far away for me to commute. Unfortunately this means rent and council tax. Unless you plan on commuting hours everyday your costs far exceed your salary. You 100% need to be financed by family or personal savings. Although I'm assured this is a competitive salary this does not meet my costs at all (I don't even run a car). All costs can be expensed if traveling for training/client

Voluntary events, societies, clubs, community events, live music, company events, socials. KPMG has so much opportunity, if you want to do something it can be done and will generally be actively encouraged. I've joined a local hockey team, go out to live music events regularly, participate in volunteering days (going back to schools and running interesting fun days)

Yes

I'm really enjoying my time here at KPMG, made friends and have a strong prospect for the future. Being trained by a big 4 firm with high level qualifications on a diverse and varied rotational program has been an amazing experience. I would choose KPMG over the other big 4 (was accepted at the other three for various apprenticeship/work programs) due to the support and care you receive and the company culture. KPMG makes you feel like you are supported to the nth degree and with the rotations you constantly are exposed to new areas of the company.

Always appear upbeat, confident and fully engage with anything given to you (that includes while waiting with other nervous people before the interview/assessment centre). Talk with people and get to know them and they will back you up when you are presenting and can even get good contacts from it. It would be better to think of it as all of you working together to get a position as opposed to you against everyone there. KPMG values teamwork above all else so while confidence is positive, overconfidence and not listening/respecting other's opinions is not tolerated. Always listen to the quietest person on your table at assessment centres, they always have the best points.