Apprentice Review
at KPMG
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
Birmingham
Review Submitted: March 2023
Overall Rating
2.6 /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
2/5
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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
My daily work will include completing workpapers, agreeing client figures to external confirmations or invoices etc. I also complete controls walkthroughs with clients to understand their processes for our audit procedures. For internal communication, I will co-ordinate with team members to allocate work tasks between us to achieve our work deadlines.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I enjoy the day to day work that I complete, however doing an apprenticeship means you have exams to complete alongside work. This can be draining and stressful at times, especially when work is busy. However doing an apprenticeship means the work you do alongside the exams help you develop your corporate skills, so its a balancing act.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have massively developed my verbal and written communication skills. I have learned how to write efficient yet effective emails for back and forth communication with clients and internal discussions. I have also presented in meetings which gave me experience to plan and deliver a presentation confidently and receive feedback on this.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The programme isn't very well organised, when I was moving around different teams, your preferences aren't taken into account, it's just where they need resourcing so I didn't get the experience I thought I had signed up for. However once you find a home team the programme is then fairly well structured.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
I get a lot of support from my work team and they are always there to help on anything I need. They are happy to talk through the work I need to complete and care about my progression. They are also helpful with any personal needs I have which is also very supportive.
In terms of exams, you don't get support from the internal exams team as they don't tailor to different needs which causes issues and their organisation and communication needs to improve which adds stress to the exams element of the job.
In terms of exams, you don't get support from the internal exams team as they don't tailor to different needs which causes issues and their organisation and communication needs to improve which adds stress to the exams element of the job.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
The training provider provide support but their level of support is governed by what the company ask them to provide so this limits the help they can give you. If you reach out and ask for help they will, but you have to ask for it, it won't be a given.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
I think my qualification helps me to understand some elements of my role as I can see where things are wrong and what they should be and I can link my exams to my work. However the qualification is broad which means not everything comes up in your work so you don't get that benefit.
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
The number of socials will vary depending on which team and office location you are in. My team don't have many socials but there are sometimes office socials that you can attend. There are plenty of networks that you can join and meet others and there are also sports teams to get involved in.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend KPMG to a friend?
No
Why?
It would depend on what the person it looking for, the work and exams together are extremely stressful and the work itself is pressurised. If you want a work life balance it wouldn't be the company to go for but if you want progression and to learn new skills in an inclusive company I would recommend them.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to KPMG?
Make sure accounting is something you want to study and work towards and be aware it is an intense company to work for. Ensure you are yourself on the applications and do your research into the company's values and initiatives so see if its the right company for your own beliefs.
