KPMG 360 Apprentice Review

Each day differs from the last. The 360 programme gives you the chance to work in different areas of the business for around 6-9 months before being offered the chance to rotate. This gives you a wider background to build on. In audit at the early stages you are involved in testing a lot. This can be to do with income, interest, payroll etc. We are also given a lot of responsibility as we take on portions of the file and learn a lot about external audits and how entities operate.

Professional communication and correspondence in particular have improved as there is a lot of contact via email and in person with different clients (at different roles, Directors through to assistants) and managers/partners within the firm itself. We are also required to complete reflective statements on how we have shown these skills and can work on these in the future.

As someone who wants to go into the professional services/finance industry in the future be it with or without KPMG, I believe that KPMG offers one of the best apprenticeships to meet this target. There is a great amount of support provided by the 360 team and the exams and study team to help you through any difficulties we may enquire. They are much more receptive and considering than their equivalents in schools and colleges.

There is a clear structure to the plan where you start on Level 3, move on to Level 4 and then on to Level 7. We understand what is required from us in the sense that we have a timeline of how we should be progressing through the programme in order to achieve our goals and qualification at the end.

I believe KPMG has a great culture when it comes to employee wellbeing. There are many different ways to access mental health problems. Managers and Partners are always reminding us on jobs to take walks/breaks to clear your mind in order to stay mentally sane. There are networks available to discuss problems you have and your performance manager is always on hand to provide professional and other support if needed. Away from the personal problems you may have, BPP and the KPMG Apprenticeship team are always on hand to address any apprenticeship queries and provide advice you may have.

BPP have an online portal for each student to help them keep on top of their progress in between and leading up to exams. BPP offer both online and classroom based teaching. I personally prefer classroom based as it is easier to question or challenge certain concepts that you may not grasp. BPP have a very quick reply rate for queries sent to their mailbox and their advisors check in with students every month to catch up with progress.

I feel on the job learning is more beneficial than off the job however off the job learning gives you the background knowledge and the reasoning as to why certain tasks are completed. IT helps us understand to a greater extent why these tasks are done. It's also important to actually gain the qualification as it opens many doors for you in the future.

The firm and its department are very inclusive of everyone including apprentices. They welcome everyone to take part in department socials during the year creating a very family sense culture. There are often football tournaments and department days giving people the opportunity to get involved in various activities. There are religious networks such as the Muslim Network and Hindu society.

Yes

1) the people and the culture. KPMG is probably best known for the high quality of work it produces however the people play a big part of that. Everyone is very inclusive and welcoming and friendly and always open to answer any questions you may have. 2) the work. KPMG operates in a highly skilled industry and it pushes you to be the best you can be. We find ourselves always pushing ourselves to the next level to increase quality and quantity of output. 3) KPMG as a household name. Being a hugely successful and reputable Big 4 firm, the name itself holds a lot of power behind it. Being able to prove that you have worked at KPMG or any Big 4 is an automatic job offer from some employers as they understand what our employees can offer their companies.

For the application process, be open and honest about everything. Don't be too rigid or "fake". KPMG is bothered about the grades you get but they look more at personality and character and what you can offer the company should they hire you. Once hired, do not stop asking questions. It may seem difficult at first as people don't want to be seen as not knowing anything but as an apprentice, they already know you don't know anything. If you get stuck, ask. Thirdly, your fellow apprentices (in the years above and in your year) is most likely to be your best network. Keep in touch with them as they are likely to have gone through the exact same encounters you are going/will go through. They can provide great first hand advice with stuff regarding the way the firm works, apprenticeship advice and actual on the job work.