KPMG 360 Apprentice Review
at KPMG
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Canary Wharf
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
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
As the 360 apprenticeship is a rotational apprenticeship we rotate around Audit, Tax, Deal Advisory and Consulting.
I am currently in External Audit, specifically working with Asset Management clients, therefore my role is to work with my team to test the figures shown in the Financial Statements of a client. I interact with the client frequently to obtain supporting documentation for the numbers we are testing.
I am currently in External Audit, specifically working with Asset Management clients, therefore my role is to work with my team to test the figures shown in the Financial Statements of a client. I interact with the client frequently to obtain supporting documentation for the numbers we are testing.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I love meeting so many new people and working on big clients that are well known. I have had so much exposure to successful people that it enables me to see what I need to do to succeed. I love that we have a cohort of apprentices, meaning there are lots of people a similar age to meet up with in the office and outside of the office, and each cohort has a really special bond.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
My confidence has grown so much since I've been at KPMG. Prior to joining, I was shy but KPMG encourages us to put ourselves outside of our comfort zone and take on lots of opportunities in order to grow as a person, and to have successful careers. Everyone in the company is assigned a Performance Manager, who we regurally have meetings with to ensure we are doing valuable work, we are happy in our teams, and to set goals with so we can suceed.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
I belive that for those starting the 2018 360 apprenticeship, the apprenticeship was not rotational as we were promised that we could try out tax, audit, deal advisory, consulting etc, whereas in reality the majority of apprentices were just given rotations in audit. This is down to the apprenticeship team not reaching out to the different departments enough. However, since the new apprenticeships have been created, I think this is not as much as a problem, so apprentices joining the firm from 2020 onwards will not have this issue.
The Performance Managers in the apprencticeship team are helpful, but other staff (the Programme Advisors) do not always give straight answers and are not very helpful.
The Performance Managers in the apprencticeship team are helpful, but other staff (the Programme Advisors) do not always give straight answers and are not very helpful.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I revieve a lot of help from the teams I've worked with, and they are set out in a way that means there is always an exprienced Assistant Manager to ask questions to. I have never worked with a team who is not willing to answer questions that I have.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
BPP university is a lot more hands off than school, but this is similar to how you would be taught at University (lecture format). It is fast paced, and we are expected to do a lot of homeworking. However, most apprenctices I know can cope with these and only a few apprentices have been asked to leave because they have failed to meet the exam policy (if you fail an exam twice you will be fired).
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
Having accounting qualifications is essential to the role, and it is useful as it can easily be applied to work we do. For all KPMG accountants (and the other big 4), a chartered accountant qualification is required. KPMG pay for our training, exams, exam material and give paid study leave, therefore saving us thousands.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are many sports teams (prior to COVID-19) and networks which are open to all staff. There are also opportunites such as mentor programmes which all apprentices can sign up to. Personally, I was paired with a Partner, so can learn directly from them. In addition, there are opportunities to volunteer on social mobility programmes with disadvantaged students.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend KPMG to a friend?
Yes
Why?
KPMG is a great place to work and there are endless opportunities. The staff are lovely and there is a cohesive & supportive atmosphere where all collegues encourage each other to succeed.
KPMG apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door, especially if you haven't attended private schools and don't have the 'polish' they often look for in grads.
I have noticed that the majority of gratuates did attend private school, so if you are from a state school background and want to work at the Big 4, I highly recommend apprentices as the best route in.
KPMG apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door, especially if you haven't attended private schools and don't have the 'polish' they often look for in grads.
I have noticed that the majority of gratuates did attend private school, so if you are from a state school background and want to work at the Big 4, I highly recommend apprentices as the best route in.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to KPMG?
Be organised with the application process, practice the computer assessments before hand, check the time in the assessment centre and ensure there are no gramatical errors in your application.
I would say in the interview show how keen you are to work at KPMG, and ask lots of questions that you are genuinely interested in knowing the answer to.
I would say in the interview show how keen you are to work at KPMG, and ask lots of questions that you are genuinely interested in knowing the answer to.
