Audit Apprentice Review

I am part of the KPMG KPE (KPMG Private Enterprise) team, meaning that I assist on the audits of privately-owned companies. As an apprentice, my role usually involves the completion of workpapers to go on file. Often, these record the testing of one aspect of a company's financial process, to check everything is in order.

Before I joined, I thought I was relatively proficient in using programmes such as Excel, but within just a few months I have developed this skill exponentially. The nature of the job has also allowed me to develop my confidence in ways I didn't know I needed to. As with any new job, being the new person with no prior experience is scary, but I feel supported and free to ask as many questions as I need.

Most the people I have worked with so far have been very easy to get along with and although everyone works very hard, I appreciate the balance between focussing and having fun. During each month, there is always at least one social event, where everyone can relax and get to know each other outside of talking about audits.

I know what I need to do and when I need to have done it by. My college days, internal training days, exam dates, and all engagement bookings are mapped out well ahead of time, so I can easily plan my life outside of work around them. We have one very useful calendar for work and college bookings, including study leave days and other commitments.

Everyone has been very friendly, and work queries are quickly and easily solved. However, if I have a personal issue, I don't know how this would be dealt with. The issue lies with not knowing who best to contact in these scenarios, and not yet really knowing anyone well enough to open up. This would come with being new in any role and company though I'm sure, and I am confident it will improve with time.

I cannot fault the support at BPP. We were introduced to all our support options before we even joined KPMG and have been reminded of these multiple times since. As somebody with mental health difficulties, I was assigned a disability advisor from BPP before my first day. He helped me to secure my extra time and stop the clock breaks in exams by registering for these with the exam board before I joined, so the worry was out of the way before I started my studies.

The qualification relates directly to the type of work I am undergoing in my role at KPMG, which means I am able to apply some of the things I have learnt at BPP to my understanding of the work we do for clients. I am still very new to both the qualification and the job role but, basic as my knowledge may be, both work in harmony and I can use experiences from each to aid me in the other.

Yes, we are constantly being invited to such activities. When I first joined, we were introduced to all the 'networks' at KPMG, which are super easy to join and, from my experience, all very welcoming. In addition to the networks, we have at least one social event per month in the department, there are national KPMG apprentice-specific events, and many LCASS events throughout the year (Leeds Chartered Accountant Student Society).

Yes

It is the friendliest working environment I have experienced. Personally, I love how many young people work at KPMG, because this has contributed to me never feeling out of place and made it much easier for me to get to know my colleagues. There are so many opportunities at KPMG to develop both hard and soft skills and I know that, although I have only been here for a short period of time, I am a better person than when I walked in the door.

The application process is tough, but it is so worth it at the end. From your first day, you know that you are surrounded by people similar to yourself and this makes work sometimes not feel like work. Apply to KPMG if you are willing to work hard, but also equally willing to celebrate your successes with those around you.