Trainee Accountant Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Baker Street
Review Submitted: April 2021
Overall Rating
3.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Auditing different companies financial statements on a one or two week basis. This involves meeting with clients, testing different areas of the financial statements and helping BDO to carry out audits. This is involves working in small teams of 3 or 4 people, and never working with the same people.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy the programme to a certain extent. The exams can be extremely stressful, having to balance them with the job. However, the day to day work in my sector is always different, which makes the job refreshing and maintains my interest. Once the exams are out the way, the job will be more enjoyable.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
My communication skills have improved greatly. Meeting people face to face and talking over Microsoft teams has been very important for the job. Also being very organised and being able to manage a heavy work load.
Also learning lots of new specific skills regarding accounting and understanding of how financial reporting works.
Also learning lots of new specific skills regarding accounting and understanding of how financial reporting works.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is very well strucutred. It is 3 years, with a structure of 9 exams in the first year, 5 in the next year, and 1 in the final year. The job role is also very structured, with a promotion from junior, to semi senior to senior over the 3 years.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
BDO are very supportive. When you start the job, you are assigned a buddy who you can contact with any queries or issues you have. You are also assigned a line manager who often keeps in touch with you and makes sure you are doing ok. This is certainly a perk of working for BDO.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
The training is very good during the exams. They assign you with learning time in college, as well as recap sessions and revision sessions. You can also submit mocks to a tutor who marks your work and tracks your progress. The BPP tutors are also free to contact if you are stuck on certain questions.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Some of the exams are directly beneficial to the role. There are exams on auditing and on accounting, which you find will improve your understanding when actually carrying out audits. There are also exams on tax and law, which are more technical but may also be useful for detailed knowledge.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
My work do not offer extra curricular actives. There are however socials with my sector in the office, such as table tennis nights or drinks. BDO also do a UK wide football tournament weekend at year which is very fun. However, I do not know of any other extra curricular activites.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
They are a good company, they pay well and they treat their staff well. The exams and workload can be very challenging, but they offer a lot of support, and all of the people I have worked with have always been very friendly and nice. I've never really had any issues working here.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
Be confident and be yourself in the interview process. Also practice your basic interview skills and make sure you understand the role, whether that is audit, tax or financial services, before applying. This will help to show you have a genuine interest in working for BDO, and understand what is expected of you.
