Summer Placement Student Review

I really enjoyed my placement at KPMG. It was great both completing tasks within the office and contributing to audit work when at client sites. I was instantly welcomed by everyone in the office and really liked the friendly, supportive atmosphere of the firm.

I felt very valued by my colleagues throughout my placement. I was treated the same way as any other member of staff and was given the same sort of tasks to complete as graduates in their 1st year of training. I was given responsibility to speak to clients and was made to feel really welcome and part of the team.

All of my colleagues were really supportive and were always happy to help or answer any questions which I had. Everyone had been through the same experience and were happy to make sure I understood the task I was required to complete and also the reasoning for the specific task. My supervisors were required to give feedback on my progress and were always forthcoming with their responses, so I was aware of how I was progressing.

I was busy most days during my placement. When I first started my schedule was booked up with the details of the various clients I would be working at over the 8 weeks. During my placement I spent 5 weeks at different client sites and when I was in the office there were always different tasks to complete to help more senior members of staff.

I was pleasantly surprised to be given quite a lot of responsibility during my placement. From my second week I was given the responsibility to speak to clients unsupervised and was involved in completing tests which were used in the main audit file.

As I study accountancy at University I have found my placement very insightful and it has confirmed that I would like a career within the accountancy profession. I was using various audit programmes and got to see first-hand what a typical day was like for a graduate working for the firm. Through speaking to my colleagues I was able to learn more about the training and exams which must be completed to become a chartered accountant.

Everyone in the office was really friendly and chatted away to each other. Despite everyone being formally dressed the office had a very relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

The placement was very well organised. I was required to attend my induction training in Birmingham and was given plenty of notice to organise my travel arrangements. Whenever I had to contact the graduate recruitment team they always replied very promptly. Similarly, from my first day in the office I was able to view my schedule for the upcoming weeks and the clients I would be working on.

During my first week I was given some online training tasks to work through which gave an overview and understanding of basic accounting principles and concepts. I feel the firm invested in me through the time colleagues spent answering questions and providing support when required.

I really enjoyed working for the firm and would definitely be interested in a job once graduated. It's been great getting an insight into the profession and the firm. KPMG really cares about its staff and the strong support network within the firm is very apparent.

There was one other summer student completing a placement, who I had never met, despite attending the same University. It was nice starting with someone who was in the same position and the induction in Birmingham was a great way to meet other interns in the UK. Colleagues within my office were very sociable and we had a couple of nights out together. My second day in the office actually involved a day trip out to the Perth races which was the offices yearly day out!

As I attend University in the same location as I completed my internship I was able to stay in my University flat over my placement period. Similarly, I know the social scene so knew where the cheaper places were to go.

There was a lot to choose from in terms of various clubs offering different types of music.

There was a running club which I received emails about but did not attend and I believe some of the men in the office played football together.