Vacation Student Review

I had really enjoyed my Vacation Programme with KPMG. It had not only confirmed my understanding of the business service : Audit, it also had showed me a lot more of the exact type of work and the processes that involves throughout the an audit. My colleagues has been extremely helpful and supportive as well!

Throughout the entire programme, I have felt extremely valued. I think it is because a lot of them also has went through the same pathway to KPMG. Some of them are were on the 360 degree programme, some was offered the Vacation Scheme as well and most were still on their 1st, 2nd or 3rd year of their graduate trainee programme. They all understand what we have been through and take the time to explain.

I cannot be much happier with the guidance and support I have received. My team has been great. It does not matter it they were E grades or the Partner, they have been very helpful in explaining what they do and their purpose of their roles. People are also very quick to response to you!

To be honest, this is just a 4 weeks programme. I don't think these was much skills developed during the time. It is much more to give you a feel if this is the kind of role you would like to do upon graduation. You might build up some softer skills like ability to adapt in any situation and knowing how to support your colleagues during a busy period.

The first two days was the orientation days where they talked about KPMG values and emphasised a lot on inclusiveness and diversity. The firm is very big on that. On the third day, you get shipped off to your respective teams. Personally, the first 2 weeks, was slightly slow. I was learning how to use their audit software, summarising minutes and just chatting up with different people on the floor on what they did. But the last two weeks was slightly hectic. Work picked up as the half year accounts were out and the team only had about two weeks to do the entire review of a multinational client. People was pulling late night shifts and working on weekends. I had the opportuntity to see the entire half year review process so that was great! However, not many people had the same opportunity as me, it depends on the client you have been assigned.

Everyone was really friendly and nice. Really nice! There is the usual Friday pub session to get to know everyone. I had the opportunity to go for one of their social to celebrate the Half year review and played rounders for the first time! Towards the end, it almost feel like family. I could see a sparkle in everyone's eyes when I talk to them. Don't be shy and speak up. Everyone loves to get to know you.

You will be assigned a buddy, a Performance Manager and a Performance Leader. My buddy was really friendly and helped me a lot on the first day on understanding the ACA and the company. However, he was on a different client and we rarely saw it other. But luckily my team assigned me another Buddy and she was great! She always talked to me on what I would like to achieve.... If u have a clear goal you would like to achieved, speak up and they most liely will support it.

The four weeks was a good amount to understand what is expected for the role. Especially I had the opportunity to be with the team for the Half Year Review made me very realistic of what work would be done and the hours that would be expected. Year end would just probs be 3 months of the same thing ;)

The orientation day really sets the tone of the programme. The emphasis of integrity and inclusivess and diversity is well felt throughout the programme. It has been said over and over again to not make assumptions of anyone. And there is a lot of emphasis on creating quality work for the client as well.

It was very valuable. Some of my friends I have met here found that they didn't like it and some of them did. I personally found that I enjoyed it and would accept the graduate offer if it was made to me. I can see the opportunity that lies after the programme and with the firm as well being a Big 4.

I was a paid an annual salary of 21,000 pounds. Pro rata to 4 weeks. You do the math. There is also NI insurance deduction of I am not so sure how much. Lunch expenses was paid either you work on site of client office. For audit, you are mostly at the client site.

There were a lot of networking and meeting of other employees of the company. Some teams were lucky where when they just started they had tennis social or their division was having a networking event going on. Unfortunately I was not that lucky. But there will always be the Friday pub session to get to know your team much better. There is also all the students that came with you to the Programme. there are like 100 of them!

The questions is essentially the same. Same answer as above. There were a lot of networking and meeting of other employees of the company. Some teams were lucky where when they just started they had tennis social or their division was having a networking event going on. Unfortunately I was not that lucky. But there will always be the Friday pub session to get to know your team much better. There is also all the students that came with you to the Programme. there are like 100 of them!

Yes there were a lot of activities that employees could get involved outside of work. I was the over- achiever girl who was asking all of these on the first day but in reality there isn't much time in 4 weeks. There are sports team, robotics team, volunteering team. You name it they got it, if not you can create it!

Yes, I would recommend this insight to a friend. It is not only an easier route into getting a graduate role in the end. It is an opportunity to see if the role is suitable for you with lesser commitment. Plus you get paid as well, whats not too love!