360 Apprentice Review

as an audit assistant I have to daily check emails for any mandatory training and also be in contact with clients to request information or meetings as audit evidence as part of audit work. This can be vouching invoices and information or recalculating things. I also had to prepare feedback for myself often

Yes definitely, lots of people skills because you interact with different people weekly, if not daily. Also lots of different type of people to the most senior members of a client firm. My excel skills have definitely increased through extensive use. Also my technical knowledge has increased through lots of training.

Not a great deal. The whole course takes about 6 years but could be significantly reduced to 4. The programme is advertised as a 360 rotational programme but everyone ends up in audit anyway. Some apprentices are appreciated but are often looked down on compared to grads even though we have the same experience.

Poorly organised. The department teams thinks that the central 360 is in control but the central 360 team thinks that the department teams are in control so apprentices are just left in limbo having to sort things out for themselves. The performance process also doesn't consider the individual experiences of the apprentices as we are compared to people with a year or 2 more experience than us.

I think you receive as much support as you seek. There are lots of external providers that KPMG hire and lots of apps and helplines which can provide support. There are also engagement managers and mainly performance managers who support you if you feel comfortable enough to share concerns. Also HR is available but that can be a long and difficult process.

BPP can be very helpful and individual tutors are very good and available to email or contact at any point. The coursebooks are very good. However there have been a couple occassions where the coursebooks have been delivered a few days late or not at all which obviously isn't helpful.

I don't think there is much correlation but then it depends what department you are in. I have never worked in tax so the tax modules have absolutely nothing to do with my day job. The bookkeeping and management accounting modules, again I have nothing to do with on a daily basis. The general accounting rules and assurance modules do apply due ot being in audit.

Yes lots of social activities and internal networks for almost every demographic and interest. There is also quite the push for volunteering and corporate social responsibility so we have time off to do that also. Lots of social events are work but few profesisonal networking events that I have heard of.

Yes

KPMG is a globally recognised brand so once you get your qualification with them and have a few years of experience, you could get a job almost anywhere because it is known for being a difficult and fast paced environment. You just have to be willing to make some sacrifices.

You definitely have to be a people person and be able to get on with different kinds of people to be able to work here. However, you have to realise that it is such a big company, almost too big so the chance of you making a difference is almost nil.