apprentice Review

my day to day role involves attending meetings and calls, helping to create strawman structure papers, due diligence reports and build my report writing skills overall. I analyse Tax computations and Information documents sent from the client and we are able to give comfort over the client being able to sell/buy a business

I see report writing as a major skill as the higher up you become in a business, you need to be able to read and understand a report so being able to write one is essential. I have also learnt lots of new tax terminology throughout my role in M&A tax

Massively! I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my career so having the option to rotate around the business really benefitted me and I was able to find my niche but also have some great experiences within the firm as well. the guidance from the apprenticeship management team is also amazing.

personally, I have had no issues with the structure of the programme as it was sold as a 6 year programme where you rotate for 3 years then study professional level for the final 3 years. I do understand that some other apprentices do find it slightly unfair that it takes this long when you are actually able to carry out these studies in a shorter period of time. however they were told all of this when they applied.

more than you could think of. unfortunately I struggled with my mental health and KPMG were so quick to react and support me, my team understood and I was able to defer exams etc until I was in a better mental state. they honestly couldn't have been any better.

personally I do not like the way BPP teach us and find it really difficult to understand the work. the BPP materials do not reflect what the AAT exams are like, information in the materials is wrong and the centre closes at half 4 so If I needed extra help I have to email the tutor - you can never really get your point across the same way on email as in person so I ended up buying my own private tutor.

I find that the qualifications provide the technical background knowledge that everyone needs to be successful at KPMG, it is Impossible to provide advice to a client without knowing and understanding what you are talking about. I am currently sitting my Tax exams so this really helps with my current role.

I have always thought its all about who you know and as harsh as that sounds, it is true in many situations so I make the effort to attend professional networking events and dinners, something I am lucky to be able to do as my old team organised quite a few of the events that are held in the Manchester office. i love listening to peoples stories and figuring out how i can help them and i feel this is much easier started in a social setting.

Yes

KPMG really are the 'Friendly' one out of the big 4, everyone is so lovely and i honestly meet someone new everyday. the opportunities provided to you are unreal but you have to take the dive sometimes and really push for them - if you don't ask, you don't get. not only this but KPMG is so inclusive, my parents didn't go to university, i didn't go to private school and i live in what is considered 'the most deprived area in the UK' - Oldham isn't really THAT bad, but i was given the opportunity to work for one of the biggest businesses in the world and I'm just a normal person so its great that that these opportunities are open to everyone

be confident, do your research, be passionate, partners and directors may look scary but theyre just someones mum or dad. have fun, work hard, get involved, network as much as you can, absorb everything, get a mentor and take advantage of every opportunity you can before applying - KPMG don't focus on whether you got A*'s, they want someone whos got something about them.