Apprentice Review

I am currently an apprentice on the KPMG 360 programme. The rotational aspect of the scheme allows the individual to spend time in each of the key business functions: audit, tax and advisory. There have even been some placements in a newer addition the business, tech solutions. On a day-to-day basis, you find yourself helping out with various tasks in the team, and are given real responsibility. My first placement was within tax, which I enjoyed. The tasks are varied, helping out with various calculations, although as you don’t have the technical skill, some of the tasks assigned to you can also be quite administrative/secretarial in nature (e.g. printing client letters, changing wording, filing etc.). My second placement was within audit, and would involve preparing working papers, summarising minutes and comparing items on a client's accounts.

I think there is a good culture within KPMG to help you learn skills, and everyone I have met has been willing to share their time, which is great. There are also various internal KPMG training courses on offer, covering a wide range of technical (e.g. Microsoft Office) and non-technical skills. Sometimes, it is quite hard to learn new things as you are the most junior member of the team, and so aren’t always given the most complex jobs. The professional training attached to the post is the AAT Level 3 qualification.

I do enjoy the programme as a whole, and KPMG is a very reasonable place to work. There is an ethos in the company to ensure a diverse, gender-balanced workforce. There is also a wide range of networks for their employees to get involved in throughout their time at the firm.

There is a good culture within KPMG in that you are valued for your work, and you are treated with respect. This is from both the colleagues you work with day to day and the management. The regular forums organised by the central team are also a good way to broaden your experience of the firm.

Overall, it is nice to have a clear structure in place so you know when/what to expect in terms of your time at the firm and what qualifications you’ll need to take. There have been times when individuals haven’t been told what part of the business they are joining in good time – it would help if this was communicated earlier, as it then gives the individual time to plan their commitments around the demands of the job. Hopefully, as the programme continues in future years, this process will become more established and so won’t present a problem.

The style of tuition is very different to that which I have experienced before, and I think it is something that the firm should make people aware about before joining. Previously, I have studied qualifications with at least 3 months between starting the topic and sitting the exam (i.e. modular A Levels, start in September and sit the exam in Dec/Jan). With the BPP exams, the time is much shorter, as once you’ve had the initial class, you are booked to sit the exam in 2.5 – 3 weeks. This ‘cram into short term memory’ style may not suit everybody. The BPP tutors are all nice, and experienced in their subject.

Regarding the AAT qualification, the firm has a professional qualifications team; they are supportive and take any concerns you may have into account. However, there are some instances where those on the graduate scheme have had specific training for their department – joining part way through the year means that individuals rotating on this programme have missed out on this, and so it can take longer to pick up some of the concepts.

It is a fair reflection of the early stages of a career. The firm supports the living wage, although there is little disposable income left after basic living expenses (mainly rent) have been accounted for.

Yes. There are plenty of opportunities outside work. For example, given that many individuals are working from client sites, the audit department organises an ‘away day’ once a month as a team building exercise. Additionally, there are volunteering opportunities available which offers the chance to participate in beneficial activities within the community. Outside of working hours, each department has organises its own social activities and there are firm-wide societies and groups (e.g. weekly football), and anyone in the firm can join in with these.

Yes

It is a professional services firm with a good culture.

This is a good programme, as it allows you to experience all the different aspects of a professional services firm. Apply in good time, and always ask questions if you aren’t sure of anything! This is important when you join as you haven’t always had the training that other members in your department have had, so make sure you understand the tasks you’ve been given to do.