Ethics and Independence School Leaver Apprenticeship Programme

Ethics and Independence School Leaver Apprenticeship Programme

A bit about us

Big enough to matter. Personal enough to care. That’s BDO.

Our Ethics & Independence Apprenticeship Scheme is designed for individuals who want to build a career at the intersection of professional ethics, regulation, and audit independence. You will gain hands-on experience in supporting our Ethics & Independence team

And a bit about the team

We safeguard the firm’s reputation, ensure compliance with professional standards, and help our people make the right decisions in complex situations.

All you need to bring is curiosity, a problem-solving mindset, and a commitment to doing things right. You will work towards a level 3 qualification in Compliance & Risk and, when you complete the programme, a permanent role is waiting for you.

As for you

You’re curious, resilient, and ready to learn. You bring logical thinking, a data mindset, and a collaborative approach. We’ll help you build your communication skills and confidence so you can thrive in any team.

Join us in our London office but one thing to note: you’ll need to live within a commutable distance of the office you apply to.

Relocation support is not provided, so please consider this carefully before applying. Time in the office matters; for your learning, for building relationships, and for being part of our culture.

Is it for you? To apply, you’ll need:

• Three A-levels (or equivalent) at A*-C (excluding General Studies and Extended Projects), or four Scottish Advanced Highers at grade A-B. (or equivalent, for example, BTech extended diploma). Please note: we do not use UCAS points. You’ll be asked to provide evidence if you’re successful in securing an offer
• GCSEs at grade 4 and above in Maths and English, or Scottish National 5 grade A-C. You’ll also need to provide evidence if successful
• Commitment to balance study and professional work
• The right to work in the UK (we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for these roles as they do not meet the current minimum salary requirements for sponsorship set by the Home Office. Applications from candidates who have their own legal right to work within the UK must cover the duration of their 3-year training contract and employment)

How the interview process will go

We want you to know what to expect, so here’s the typical process:

• Online application form.
• Online assessments (with the option to sit these in our office, where we can provide a laptop and space if you don’t have access to one).
• Video interview.
• Virtual assessment centre.
• Final interview in-person.

We’ll keep you updated at each stage and share resources to help you prepare. And just so you know: we don’t use AI in any part of our candidate screening process. Every application is reviewed by a person.

Our culture at BDO

We’re a thriving business that is respectful and client-focused while remaining firmly anchored in our core purpose – helping you succeed. Our Unifying Culture encourages us to be ourselves, to be inspired, challenged, collaborative and ultimately successful.

• Agile working - We give you choice and flexibility around how, when and where you work, providing you with the environment, digital tools and training to enable you to deliver your best for yourself, your team and the business/audited entities you work with.
• Be yourself - Here you'll enjoy the space to share ideas and do excellent work, surrounded by exceptional colleagues in a supportive culture that encourages you to be yourself.
• Wellbeing - Wellbeing at BDO includes physical, financial and mental health and our priorities and focus each year are informed by what our people tell us is most important to them.

How we’ll support you

We offer a range of support services to help you thrive in your new role. From study leave to taking care of your mental wellbeing, we'll be with you every step of the way.

• Buddy support - Your buddy will have first-hand experience of what it’s like to work and study towards a professional qualification and will support and guide you as you settle into your new career.
• People Manager support - Your PM will play a pivotal role in your career journey, providing guidance and support throughout your day-to-day work and your studies.
• Dedicated study support & study leave - Our Professional Qualifications team will assist you with everything from exam bookings to study leave allocations.
• Peer networks - Sharing your experience of working and studying with other trainees will see you building networks and future friends to support you throughout your career.
• Workable - Discover life at BDO from all angles – the office, client 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.
• BDO Networks - We have a number of groups where you can celebrate being yourself, including BLEND (LGBTQ+ network), BDO Inspire (Gender balance network), CEDAR (Celebrating Ethnic Diversity and Races network).

What our people say

From the day I started as a school leaver, I’ve really felt like part of the team. I really enjoy being able to come into the office and collaborate with the rest of the team from both a work and social perspective. — Joseph Hester, Tax School Leaver Apprentice

BDO gives you the opportunity to be yourself, you can feel it from the moment you apply. Our People Managers and Buddies enable us to be the best version of ourselves. — Manav Krishnan, Audit School Leaver Apprentice

BDO is a fantastic firm to be a part of as the organisation is fast growing and bold. The culture revolves around people and progressing with purpose. This has enabled me to develop rapidly and kick start my career. — Jake Revell, Advisory School Leaver Apprentice

Rewards & Benefits

We offer a wide range of core and voluntary benefits, with a few examples below.

• Holidays: Our holiday benefit enables you to purchase up to 10 days of additional leave.
• Health and Wellness Programmes: We promote a positive working environment where our people can thrive.
• Bike to work scheme: A convenient, environmentally friendly and tax-effective way to acquire a bike for travelling to and from work.
• Pension Plan: A Group Personal Pension Plan, with matched employer contributions.
• Private Medical: Access to private medical treatment for you and your family.
• Income Protection Plan: Provides a proportion of your basic salary if you suffer a loss of earnings because of illness or injury.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.