Placement Year Review at KPMG

The Role

Role Description

During my placement year at KPMG, I completed the first year of their Graduate Training Scheme. In Audit, this involved going out to client offices as a part of the sudit team as well as studying for the ACA qualification. My daily duties would vary from client to client and as the year progressed I was given more and more responsibility at work.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Looking back on my placement now, I definitely enjoyed it. Although there were times when it was hard to juggle studying and working full time. The year was a great experience and gave me a great insight into what working life is like.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

From the first day, I was made to feel valued by my colleagues and like a part of the team. I was always thanked for the effort and hard work I put in at the end of every project.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

On a day to day basis, management encouraged us to ask for help and guidance when we needed. No one, no matter how senior was ever too busy to help or answer a question.

Regular meetings are set up with your manager where you can give and receive feedback and any problems or issues can be freely discussed. Also, there is a dedicated team at hand to help with professional examination issues.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Over the whole year, I cannot recall more than a few instances when I wasn't busy. Whilst at clients, there was always something for me to do or help with. Despite the deadlines, if I wasn't familiar with the task assigned to me, the team leader or manager would take the time to make sure I understood what I was doing and why.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

I was given substantial responsiblities almost from the very beginning. The work I was given was never re-performed by anyone and I was trusted to interact with clients straight away.

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

Not only was I taught technical skills relating to auditing. I was also given training and the opportunity to start sitting my professional examinations in order to become ACA qualified. Aside from this, after working sull time for a year and studying at the same time, I've learnt to organise my time better and have a stronger work ethic now I'm back at uni because I know what I'm working towards.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

At the Leeds office, the staff work hard and play hard! Even whilst working, there is plenty of banter and even the occasional offcie prank! Whilst everyone is professional, the general atmosphere everyone is relaxed at the same time.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

If you are a student doing a placement year, you are treated exactly the same as graduates who are joining the company in the first year of the Graduate Scheme. Placement students are given the same responsibilities and opportunities as everyone else. There were no issues in the general adminisration or setting up of the placement.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I think the company invested quite a lot in my training and development. They paid for all the tuition and exam fees relating to the ACA exams. They also had regular training sessions held in the office as well as longer training courses which sometimes involved staying overnight. I was also invited to a Global Induction when I first started which was held in Toronto!

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• National Travel
• International Travel
• Company Parties/Events
• Staff Sales/Staff Shop
• Travel loan

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Before I left, KPMG offered me a job after I complete my degree. This wasn't a big surprise considering the amount of time and money they had invested in me.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

There was only one other placement student in the Audit department in Leeds. As we were treated like first years in the Graduate Scheme, we were involved in all their socials and nights out.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Leeds has a reasonably cheap cost of living, especialy when compared to Birmingham or London.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Leeds is great for night life.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

There is so much to do in Leeds and the surrounding area. Work didn't really overspill into my personal time (apart from when I was revising!).

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?

I had great experience working for KPMG. It wasn't easy all the time but looking back on it now I think it was the best thing I ever did. Because I completed the first year of their Graduate Scheme, when I go back after my degree I'll be starting the second year. This means that by taking a year out for an industrial placement I haven't been put back a year from my peers and it'll still take me the same amount of time to get the ACA qualification. Also, as they've offered me a job, I don't have to look for one during my final year which is a huge relief in this job market!

Review 141/141 for KPMG

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