Audit Apprentice Review
at KPMG
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Leeds
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.3 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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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
My role consists of auditing tasks for KPMG such as analytical procedures, testing over specific sections of an audit, performing risk assessment procedures and many more. It involves working with team members and communicating with the client. In addition to work at KPMG, there is also studies to focus on so achieving a balance between work and study is necessary a crucial in completing your apprenticeship.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
Its a great programme to be fair. In auditing, if your on a good job, you will enjoy it a lot especially if you are surrounded by good team members. Even if its a really busy and long job, I still find it okay when you are working with good team members. Hours can be long sometimes and it is sometimes frustrating when there is no overtime/bonus pay anymore but it tends to be a good job. In addition, there is a lot of social events which is fun :)
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
You definitely do learn and develop skills regularly during this role. For example, teamwork and communication with your team and client . In addition, there are great learning opportunities in technical skills mainly in use of Microsoft Excel i.e. spreadsheet skills. Overall, these types of skills will develop over time during this role.
You also get regular feedback during an audit engagement which is really good because to find out by your managers on what has gone well for you and where you need to improve on which helps you in becoming a better auditor in your role.
For studies/exams, I'd say most of what we learn in the exam courses we take is linked to the auditing tasks we complete which is good to develop your role skills in audit but as an accountant overall as well.
You also get regular feedback during an audit engagement which is really good because to find out by your managers on what has gone well for you and where you need to improve on which helps you in becoming a better auditor in your role.
For studies/exams, I'd say most of what we learn in the exam courses we take is linked to the auditing tasks we complete which is good to develop your role skills in audit but as an accountant overall as well.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My programme is very organised in terms of exams. For first 2 years, you complete level 3 and level 4 AAT exams which are fast tracked and is set at suitable times during the year. This is because for our department, we have what we call "busy season" for auditors from January to March so there's no exams during these months then there are the exams which are around 4 weeks to study and sit and its usually 3-4 exams in first and second year between April to November. In addition, there are planned "Off The Job" learning which helps cover the minimum 20% government requirement of an apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
There is a lot of support available. If you ever need help, then your Performance manager is the person to go to. During client engagements, the in charge manager for the job is also the one to go to for help as they are leading the audit but you do also have other team members who help and the people at KPMG are quite friendly. Overall, the support is very good.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
If your coming from A-Levels and haven't done AAT like me before, you will find it hard at first and you only have about 3 to 4 weeks to get ready for the first 2 exams. But the practise for exams is probably the best way your going to pass these exams because if you fail first and fail the resit, then your out as in your contract will get terminated. That's something they didn't really mention before we started in addition they said to us to not prepare for exams because I think we could've had some guidance before we started college about our exams especially when it was lockdown/summer break.
The college lessons however from BPP are good, plenty of support in college lessons to ensure you understand something from an expert and weekly check ups from BPP to see how your progressing.
The college lessons however from BPP are good, plenty of support in college lessons to ensure you understand something from an expert and weekly check ups from BPP to see how your progressing.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
It brings a better understanding to the work your doing which has been really good for developing your role as an Auditor at KPMG. And the courses/studies are aligned with the auditing role so there is a lot of links between studies and auditing. You just got to make sure you pass your exams, preferably first time. For AAT exams, the pass mark is 70% which is high, trust me, there are people who have joined this apprenticeship and failed the exams and have had to leave the job for not passing and they've gone to university instead.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes. In our department, we have a social committee for social events every month. Its a great opportunity to meet people various people with different backgrounds from our department so this is a good opportunity to expand your network as well have enjoy the social time. We also have a lot of volunteering opportunities available if your interested in this as well.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend KPMG to a friend?
Yes
Why?
KPMG is a great place to work at. You meet amazing people here. There are a lot of opportunities here and a great place to start your career at. If your looking to do accounting, then you should definitely check out KPMG. Plus, its an apprenticeship. I would really recommend someone who is deciding on university or apprenticeship and is interested in the accounting industry to go for an apprenticeship instead because it is far better.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to KPMG?
If your thinking about doing an apprenticeship, KPMG offer not just auditing but other apprenticeship roles as well. I personally think doing an apprenticeship is a 1000% better than going to university. Even if it isn't at KPMG, I would highly recommend you try going for an apprenticeship because it is just more valuable and I have absolutely no regrets doing an apprenticeship over university. No stupid university debt, no full time studying just part time, highly valuable work experience and you get paid! Just make sure that you are committed and eager to learn in your apprenticeship, and if there's an opportunity for an apprenticeship, then go for it. Many people I've worked with at KPMG who have been to university have said that they should've done an apprenticeship instead - especially for accounting, this is a great opportunity.
