Trainee Business Advisor Review

My role consists of bookkeeping using accounting softwares like xero and also producing accounts however it is mainly only helping with different parts for your first few months but as time goes on and you are completing your training you are able to do more and complete some accounts on your own with bits of help from qualified accountants around you.

I have learned how to use various accounting softwares like xero, sage and caseware throughout my training but also becoming better using excel as this is used each time you produce accounts. My communication skills have definitely improved since I joined BDO through speaking to clients on the phone but also meeting lots of new people who work in the office and different offices especially at the induction week that happens in London.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme having the mixture of learning on the job and getting professional qualification through completing exams is the perfect combination in my opinion. Everyone in the office is extremely nice and if you need help with any work you have there is always people there to help you and likewise with your studying.

As I am one of the first apprentices that Glasgow office has taken on it has been a bit difficult when it comes to the exams part of the apprenticeship. In Scotland the timetables ran a bit different to those in England which caused complications however instead of doing classroom learning we completed live online sessions which is essentially watching a live lecture on your laptop. I thought this method was really good as you were able to rewatch the lectures so if you missed anything you were able to go back and find what you missed.

I receive lots of support at BDO from the people around me helping with any questions I might have regarding work or for exams. There is also good support like different benefits they provide like an interest free loan for apprentices or different discounts to shops etc. Overall the culture at BDO is extremely good.

The support Kaplan offers is very good from what I have experienced so far with the live online sessions I have done for AAT level 3. You also receive an exam kit which has exam questions in it that you can work through before your exam which is also a big help.

I think completing the qualification helps when it comes to work as I am able to put the different topics I have learned into practise and see how things work which you wouldn't get to see if you went the university route. As I am completing my studies I am able to do more work without needing as much help as you do at the very start of your studies.

There is various activities that take place throughout the year, so far I have been to 2 christmas nights out (one for the department and one for the full office) however there is lots more that happens throughout the year like a 5s football tournament that happens at one location each year where each office is a team.

Yes

I think the benefits of an apprenticeship that I have listed in previous answers would be a big part but when it comes to why BDO and not another accounting firm is because of the extremely positive experience I have had since I joined being able to meet lots of new people from different offices in the UK at the London induction week and all the support I have been given from colleagues. Another big reason is I never feel stressed with exams as they are not every month so you get a bit of a break from studying which is another positive.

I think advice for applying to BDO is for the assessment centre when it comes to the group talk is not to talk to much where you are being the only voice that is heard but also not be the one to not say anything. I think it is trying to make the points you are going to say to be useful and relevant and not just talk for the sake of talking. When it comes to the presentations I would also advise you ask to for a flipchart so you dont forget what points you want to make.