360 Apprentice Review
at KPMG
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Bristol
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
3 /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!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
2.6/5
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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:
3/5
as an audit assistant I have to daily check emails for any mandatory training and also be in contact with clients to request information or meetings as audit evidence as part of audit work. This can be vouching invoices and information or recalculating things. I also had to prepare feedback for myself often
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
Not a great deal. The whole course takes about 6 years but could be significantly reduced to 4. The programme is advertised as a 360 rotational programme but everyone ends up in audit anyway. Some apprentices are appreciated but are often looked down on compared to grads even though we have the same experience.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Yes definitely, lots of people skills because you interact with different people weekly, if not daily. Also lots of different type of people to the most senior members of a client firm.
My excel skills have definitely increased through extensive use.
Also my technical knowledge has increased through lots of training.
My excel skills have definitely increased through extensive use.
Also my technical knowledge has increased through lots of training.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
Poorly organised. The department teams thinks that the central 360 is in control but the central 360 team thinks that the department teams are in control so apprentices are just left in limbo having to sort things out for themselves.
The performance process also doesn't consider the individual experiences of the apprentices as we are compared to people with a year or 2 more experience than us.
The performance process also doesn't consider the individual experiences of the apprentices as we are compared to people with a year or 2 more experience than us.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I think you receive as much support as you seek. There are lots of external providers that KPMG hire and lots of apps and helplines which can provide support. There are also engagement managers and mainly performance managers who support you if you feel comfortable enough to share concerns. Also HR is available but that can be a long and difficult process.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
BPP can be very helpful and individual tutors are very good and available to email or contact at any point.
The coursebooks are very good. However there have been a couple occassions where the coursebooks have been delivered a few days late or not at all which obviously isn't helpful.
The coursebooks are very good. However there have been a couple occassions where the coursebooks have been delivered a few days late or not at all which obviously isn't helpful.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
I don't think there is much correlation but then it depends what department you are in. I have never worked in tax so the tax modules have absolutely nothing to do with my day job.
The bookkeeping and management accounting modules, again I have nothing to do with on a daily basis.
The general accounting rules and assurance modules do apply due ot being in audit.
The bookkeeping and management accounting modules, again I have nothing to do with on a daily basis.
The general accounting rules and assurance modules do apply due ot being in audit.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
Yes lots of social activities and internal networks for almost every demographic and interest. There is also quite the push for volunteering and corporate social responsibility so we have time off to do that also.
Lots of social events are work but few profesisonal networking events that I have heard of.
Lots of social events are work but few profesisonal networking events that I have heard of.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend KPMG to a friend?
Yes
Why?
KPMG is a globally recognised brand so once you get your qualification with them and have a few years of experience, you could get a job almost anywhere because it is known for being a difficult and fast paced environment. You just have to be willing to make some sacrifices.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to KPMG?
You definitely have to be a people person and be able to get on with different kinds of people to be able to work here. However, you have to realise that it is such a big company, almost too big so the chance of you making a difference is almost nil.
