Explore BDO Insight Programme

Explore BDO Insight Programme

We’re BDO. An accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions businesses need to navigate today’s changing world.

At BDO, we’re committed to building a culture of diversity and belonging. We live in a diverse world and our people should reflect this. We believe that a person’s socioeconomic background should not determine their career success, and this is why we want to give students fromall backgrounds an opportunity to explore the roles available at BDO and in accounting more generally. 

We’ll broaden your horizons

Our Explore BDO Insight Programme is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the world of accounting. You’ll complete a three-day hybrid insight experience where you will develop your knowledge of accounting and gain exposure to BDO and our people.You’ll learn more about accounting and why what we do is nothing like the number crunching ideas you may have had. You will develop your professional skills and meet our amazing people who work across a vast range of jobs available at BDO.

This programme is open to year 12 and year 13 students and offers the opportunity to be fast-tracked through our hiring process for a School Leaver Apprenticeship role if eligible.

We’ll help you succeed 

The programme will take place from Wednesday 27th August to Friday 29thAugust 2025. You’ll have the chance to network with inspiring people from our business and take part in sessions that will bring the various roles at BDO to life.

During the Insight Programme, you will have the opportunity to grow and develop with skill sessions, including professional development and business resilience, which will support you later in life and in your career.  

Days 1 & 2 will be held virtually, with the final day in our London Baker Street Hub, where you will take part in interactive activities to put your new learnings to the test, and if successful be fast-tracked to the next stage of our hiring process for a School Leaver programme if eligible.

You’ll benefit from:

• Valuable work experience and skills for your future career and development.
• An understanding of how our business works.
• Opportunities to learn from and network with our brilliant people.
• The chance to be fast-tracked through our hiring process for a school leaver position in 2026.

This programme is aimed primarily at year 12 and year 13 students who attend a state school and meet our social mobility criteria based on the job of the main earner in their household. We use the Social Mobility Commission guidance to determine which jobs meet our background criteria.

The following list is an example of some of the jobs that would meet the criteria:

• Technical and craft jobs: such as motor mechanic, plumber, printer, electrician, gardener, train driver, etc.
• Routine, semi-routine manual and service jobs: such as postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant, sales assistant, HGV driver, cleaner, porter, packer, labourer, waiter/waitress, bar staff.
• Long-term unemployed: claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for more than a year.

If you’re unsure if your parent or guardian’s job makes you eligible, please do apply. Our team will be able to let you know if you are eligible once they have reviewed your application. 

The application process: 

To get a place on the programme you will need to complete our application form. If you meet our eligibility requirements, you will be invited to complete our online assessment and video interview. Before completing this we will send you a video with our hints and tips to help you succeed during the final stage of the process.We will also ask you to complete our Match Me Tool, to learn which area of BDO might be best aligned to your interests – we can then tailor your experience accordingly!

To take part in the programme please note you will be required to have access to a reliable internet connection. If you do not have a laptop we can provide support with equipment and you must be able to travel to London on the 22nd August for the final day of the programme. We are also able to support with travel expenses.

About BDO  

Operating out of 18 locations across the UK, we’re one of the world’s largest accounting and business advisory firms – but we’re so much more than that. The ambitious, high-growth businesses we work with boost the economy, and our people’s careers. This is where you’ll provide meaningful advice and solutions. Build thriving businesses. Feel respected at all times. Learn. Grow. And go beyond the ordinary – because your development is our priority.  

Accountancy isn’t what you think it is. It’s dynamic, hands-on, and collaborative. The best part? The people. We’re a friendly, diverse bunch who work hard to achieve the best outcomes – and love to celebrate when we do. It’s one of the ways we prioritise wellbeing, along with agile, flexible working and extensive benefits that cover your lifestyle, money, and all aspects of your health. We’re all about supporting you to be your best, inside and outside of work. 

Discover life at BDO from all angles – the office, corporate sites, or occasionally, your home. We’ll need you to join us in the office so we can best support your development, so ensure you’re a commutable distance away.  

How far can you go when you go beyond the ordinary? Join us today. 

Our firm is distinctive because we preserve and build on the strengths of our culture and the characteristics that make us successful and different. We look for people from all kinds of backgrounds who share these same qualities. 

 How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button below.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.