Audit Trainee Review
at BDO
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Accounting
London
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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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:
4/5
Working on a variety of different audit engagements. Responsibilities involve assisting where necessary on the team, growing more complex as experience in audit develops. Currently working within the International sector, which sees the majority of my clients being multinational companies.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
The people and culture are certainly what make the programme enjoyable. As the professional qualifications are fairly intense, you spend a lot of time with your intake and cohort and develop good friendships.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
New skills are learnt through both working and professional studies, including Excel, digital accounting tools, accounting and audit knowledge. Support is regularly provided firm wide, in sector and just for trainees.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The programme is fairly well structured as a whole, but much of it relies on you to chase and follow up with. The professional qualifications department can make errors, so the responsibility lies on you to ensure you are doing what is needed.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
There is lots of support available from BDO during your apprenticeship, such as study leave and training days, professional qualification pathway drop-ins and focus sessions. Your people manager will be the first point of call for any support required.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
Support recieved from BPP depends on your tutor. Some tutors are very pro-active and happy to help, even outside of scheduled lessons, whereas some other simply do not respond after teaching the course. This could be improved.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The ACA qualification is extremely helpful in my daily role. All the models are developed by the ICAEW, the accountancy body in England and wales, and directly relate to the work performed on a daily basis. In particular, audit, assurance and accounting.
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 plenty of extra activities to get involved with. There are usually social events every quarter involving different activities such as mini-golf, bowling or a bar. There are also societies for different communities to get together and company sports teams.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BDO to a friend?
Yes
Why?
BDO differenciates itself from the other large accountancy firms by having a brilliant company culture. Many of the people you work with will end up being friends outside of work, and you truly feel like you belong in the company.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BDO?
Be yourself! It is one of the companies core values. You want to be able to come to work everyday and feel comfortable, so there's no point in trying to be something that you are not.
