Apprentice Review

I am an Apprentice at KPMG on the 360 Programme. On this programme I rotate around the different business functions in Audit, Advisory or Tax. I have so far completed a 6 month placement in Audit, and have started a 6 month placement in Global Mobility Services (Tax). As you grow into your role you are given more responsibility and more challenging tasks.

Definitely yes. I am currently working towards AAT Level 3, where I have developed knowledge which I previously learned at college. I took part in 4 days of Audit training where I obtained many new skills which were required for my placement in audit. There are also hundreds of online courses available on the KPMG Business School website for us to complete. Personally, I feel I have also matured and enhanced my communication skills during my time here so far.

My programme is very enjoyable. With the work, the more you know about a task the more enjoyable it becomes. Sitting there struggling to find a solution is not fun at all, so getting help is vital, fortunately at KPMG help is always there when you need it. The company culture is great. There is a mutual respect between everyone. I have enjoyed my time here so far more than I expected.

Once you have obtained the basic skills required for your placement you do begin to feel very valued. You start to complete vital tasks, and you see how much time you save others. The further you develop the more valued you feel, and at KPMG everyone is always looking to help you develop further and further.

There is a plan for everything. Each year is planned out and structured, every exam, every bit of study, every placement, it's all carefully thought through by varies people to make sure everything we need is in place and done for us. Only time a plan has changed so far is exam dates, but only by a few days which has not been a problem.

The BPP college tuition was excellent. The tutors are very helpful and know what they are teaching. Having studied A-Level Accounting I knew a fair amount of what was being taught already so I was able to understand exactly what they were saying, and in my opinion they were teaching it superbly. The support and the materials which BPP have on offer are great. Only issue I have found was with OCR Live tuition, there were quite a lot of technical issues.

KPMG have support everywhere you look, with any subject you could need support for. From the work you complete every day, to exams, to mental wellbeing. There are people around you in your team, your buddy, your line manager, your people leader, your 360 performance manager, your 360 people leader, your resourcing teams, there are phone numbers you can call. Everywhere you look there is help if you need it.

The salary may not seem excellent, but when you consider what other benefits are given the value of everything is extraordinary. All business expenses are covered. Lunch is paid for whether in office or away. Exams are paid for, tuition is paid for. Compared to university for example and the cost that comes with it, and the fact you could end up with the same qualification, the value is almost unbelievable.

I don't think you will find a place to work which offers more. In my first week I was given the chance to play for the Audit 5-a-side football team, which is great fun! After that, I learned that KPMG arrange a whole lot of different events for us. There are monthly Sports and Social Events including cider festivals, quizzes, sports days, treasure hunts, and trips to places like cinemas and theatres. In May I took part in the Bristol Office Treasure Hunt which was amazing. So many different pubs and bars in Bristol City Centre took part, and the whole thing was planned out perfectly. There are also lots of opportunities to volunteer. We get 6 days per year to simply have off work to volunteer.

Yes

The opportunities you are given and the value of the apprenticeship. The environment which we work in. I believe KPMG is a brilliant place to work, especially for young people. There are ways to develop yourself here which I didn't even think would exist at any place of work. This programme is brilliant because there are so many different paths you could follow. The choice is yours and you are given all the help you need to follow that path.

Being nervous is okay and natural, but with KPMG there really is no need to be. Everyone is so friendly and will give you every chance to prove yourself. During my induction week we were given a talk on bringing yourself to work, this was about showing who you truly are and not just pretending to be someone you're not because you think it might look better. I think this is important to think about during the application process, KPMG is very diverse so whoever you are, you would be welcomed here.