Audit Apprentice Review
at KPMG
School Leaver Programme
Accounting
Canada Square, London E14 5AH, UK
Review Submitted: May 2022
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
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:
5/5
I support the assurance team with ESG engagements over non-financial KPIs including GHG emissions, social metrics such as employee volunteering, impact investing metrics, and sustainable finance. My role consists of resolving technical issues and analysis, day-to-day client contact as well as coaching other members of staff when on engagements. Alongside engagements I have also assisted in business development to help grow the team pipeline, whether in the form of creating pitch decks or sector benchmarking.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I thoroughly enjoy my program, having had many opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Apprentices are given a lot of support from my team and are given responsibility from day one, showing how much they are valued. The networks and mentoring schemes available have also added significantly to my experience at the firm.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
AAT Level 3 alongside currently finished AAT Level 4 studying. Alongside this I have developed knowledge on ESG reporting as well as learn various ESG disclosures, including TCFD, OPIM, UN SDGs. Through experience I have learnt may new soft skills including how to use different software's proficiently e.g. excel.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The structure of the programme puts apprentices in a brilliant position by the end of the apprenticeship, having acquired the ACA. Sufficient training and studying time is given for each exam, being blocked off in chunks at different points of the year. Apprentices are also assigned a performance mentor to help me achieve their goals for the year, meeting on a monthly basis.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Every member of my team has been incredibly supportive, appreciating that they too were in our shoes when studying. Both Performance Managers and Performance Leaders are always available to discuss concerns and ensure that you are heard, alongside the apprenticeship teams ensuring you are also supported by them. Through all of these different support systems, I felt more than sufficiently supported and free to express concerns I have.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
After lectures, tutors ensure that apprentices are aware of their email so they are able to answer any queries. Furthermore the BPP training providers have a great platform to put you in good stead ahead of the exam. The course is delivered by virtually and in person for some modules.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I believe that due to the nature of my role, my qualification does not perhaps enable me to perform better in my role compared to those working in external audit. Working in ESG Assurance has meant that what I learn on the course is limited in helping my day-to-day role, although I am confident that if I were to be in the external audit department the qualification would help enable me to apply what I have learnt to a much greater extent.
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
At KPMG there is a huge number of extra-curricular activities to participate in, ranging from a vast number of different sports societies (I am part of both the Golf and Badminton society) as well as social events for every team and department. As I work in the ESG department I have attended numerous ESG events tailored to young people in the firm being the next generation of professionals to shape this area.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend KPMG to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend KPMG to a friend as it is a great apprenticeship programme, whilst being able to work with great people and enables you to develop many skills when working with FTSE250 companies. The apprenticeship opens up countless doors into the professional world both inside and outside KPMG, for example the secondment opportunities to work at KPMG in another country.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to KPMG?
I would advise that someone applying to KPMG does their research to understand why they believe the company is a good match to them and how they are able to example the values that KPMG hold themselves to. I would also encourage other applying to seize as many opportunities they can to help their application stand out.
