Internship Review at KPMG

The Role

Role Description

Week 1 - first two days were an induction, involving all summer interns from the northern, Scottish and a few southern offices. Induction included ice breakers, group work, a BBQ, presentations and training. The rest of the week involved office based assignments as I was not booked on any audit work in week 1.

Week 2 - involved in the audit of a vehicle rescue company in West London. Went to the client's premises each day with a team of six KPMG employees. Shown a range of audit techniques including substantive testing and controls testing. Work I carried out was similar to the kind of work I would be doing as a first year at the firm, so this gave me a better idea of what I will be getting up to when I join KPMG on a permanent basis after university.

Week 3 & 4 - Involved in the audit of a different company; a shipping services company in Cumbria. Sent with a different team of KPMG employees.

Week 5 - Partner interview and presentation to determine if I would be offered a job at KPMG after I graduate.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I found the marjority of the work I did interesting and stimulating, which has influenced me to accept my job offer for after university. The practical audit and accountancy work added to the theory I have learned throughout my first two years at university.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I have not worked with a friendlier and more helpful group of people than at KPMG. They always had plenty of time to answer any questions or queries I had, despite having an enormous workload!! This includes all employees from the partners right down to first years. I looked forward to working with them again next year!

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

See my comments to Q2

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was kept very busy whilst away on audit jobs, due to the fact that we were only out at the client's premises for a limited period of time, e.g. 2 weeks. Towards the end of the two weeks, there is pressure to get all the fieldwork done on time.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I was given a reasonable level of responsibility over certain aspects of the audit, e.g. I was given the whole of 'prepayments' to audit on my own when out on my first audit!

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

My degree studies teach me all the theory. This internship allowed me to gain practical experience to add to this theory. This experience should assist me greatly during my final year at university. Beyond my studies, I developed vital transferable skills, especially time management, communication and team working skills.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

The audit department in the office was usually very quiet due to the fact that most people were out at clients' premises; I was only at the office for 3 days out of my 4 week placement!

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Very well organised, right from the application stage, to the induction, and the audit trips. Absolutely no problems.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Very please with the level of training invested in me

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• National Travel
• Company Parties/Events

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Plenty of opporunities to develop a career at KPMG. One could work their way up within audit to management level, or could specialize in a different area after qualifying, e.g. corporate finance, and work their way up there.

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Yes, socials were orgainised for all employees within our department.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

Reasonably cheap apart from my week in London, which was very expensive!

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Very good in Manchester, however not on away jobs, which were in Cumbria and West London - both of those trips involved staying in a hotel, with not much happening in the evening.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Opportunities to take part in football games against other departments in the office, and other socials were organised too, including a night at the dogs!

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

Ask plenty of questions whilst there - you want get an idea as to whether it is what you want to do when you leave university. Show enthusiasm as this will help in getting a job offer at the end of the internship.

Review 141/141 for KPMG

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