KPMG 360 Apprentice Review

My first placement within the KPMG 360 rotational programme has been in Employment Tax. My days are very varied as there are so many different clients and projects I can be involved in. Some of the work that I do on a day-to-day basis includes: preparation of tax returns on behalf of clients, engagement/risk management (actually creating the client opportunities as well as fees and billing), client proposals, analysis of large data sets (mainly expenses) and the use of a variety of software and programmes. I have had the chance to build on my tax technical knowledge whilst also studying for my first qualification - the AAT Level 3.

The skills that I have learnt and developed at KPMG over my first 7 months have been endless. Joining this massive, prestigious company has given me vast amounts of corporate awareness and so much experience which I would not have gotten from university. Some of the skills I develop on a day-to-day basis include: effective communication - a vital skill if I am to produce high quality work within my team and be able to communicate with clients; time management/organisation - to stay on top of your workload as well as your studies, you need to be able to manage your time well and this is something I have definitely improved on; and technical/technological skills - these are skills that I thought needed improving the most, but from day one, you are introduced to a wide variety of technology and programmes which you use every day, and with the help of your team, you pick up different tips and tricks very easily to improve these skills.

Since my induction week at KPMG, I have loved every moment. The fact there are 240 other apprentices within my cohort has meant I have made so many friends - and even met my flatmate on the first day! I was worried about not having the 'university experience' but because you meet so many new people whilst earning a wage, you have the time and money to enjoy yourself! The support I have received from my team and other apprentices has been overwhelming - everyone is so welcoming and happy to help at any opportunity.

For our studies and placements, I believe it has been very organised so far as we are given the dates of our studies months ahead of us (however these are now likely to change due to COVID-19 but we are kept fully informed when decisions are made). I expected to be in 4 different placements, each for 6 months, but it hasn't quite worked that way. Although it is a 'rotational' programme, I have seen some apprentices within other years, not be able to rotate at all and have to stay in Audit (as this is where most of the work is). I have been lucky to get a placement within tax and expect to be in Audit next. I believe it was told differently to us when we first applied, as I assumed I would spend 6 months each in Audit, Tax, Consulting and Deals Advisory. However, like with everything, the opportunities for us to gain as much experience as possible, are there if we make the effort to reach out to other teams. Overall, I would say that the programme is organised, just that the structure should've been made clearer from the start.

As already mentioned, the support I have received since starting KPMG has been overwhelming. There are so many different groups of people I can go to for support - whether it's the apprenticeship management team (which includes our Performance Manager), our qualifications advisor, members of my placement team/line manager or other apprentices (both in my cohort and years above), they are all willing to help and support me whenever I need it.

We train with BPP University and for our first set of exams we spent 8 days at college, then had around 3/4 weeks to revise in our own time (whilst back at work), then a few days off for study leave before our actual exams. Throughout this entire time, we can contact our BPP tutors, our PQA advisors and other members of staff who can help support us. They are all extremely friendly and welcoming, and the online BPP service is a fantastic asset, as we can access key resources and exam questions at any time. They give us all the help we can ask for in order to pass our exams.

For the AAT Level 3, it has given us the basics for accounting but is not linked directly to the work I do on a day-to-day basis. However, I think as the qualifications continue and we progress into AAT Level 4, they will become much more relevant. The training that we need for our day jobs is given through KPMG and is more specific to each person. The qualification is just starting to give us an overview.

There are many opportunities to join various clubs/groups/sporting activities throughout KPMG and our office also has a state-of-the-art gym which holds many fitness sessions as well. I have found that the networking opportunities so far have been the best for me - whether it's specific to my placement team or more towards linking us with other apprentices. I have been to a 'Horrible Histories' networking event on my lunch break which was weird and wonderful! There are countless opportunities to meet up with your team and others after work for food and drinks, and I have also enjoyed breakfast with members of my team on many occasions.

Yes

For the vast amount of experience you can get whilst earning a competitive salary whilst also studying for professional qualifications with one of the most prestigious companies! I believe university for some people can be a waste of time and money, so instead I took the opportunity to enter the 'world of work' straight from school and I would recommend it to anyone.

Just be yourself and communicate effectively and confidently. The application process was definitely one of the nicest I had been through whilst applying for apprenticeships, and everyone you meet along the way wants you to do well. Try and gain some work experience or try volunteering or being part of a team, as this starts to build the main qualities which KPMG look for in their future employees.