Audit Associate Review

Doing a placement year at KPMG was probably the best year of my degree.

One of the things that distinguishes KPMG from the other big 4 are its people. It is a very friendly environment here and you can approach anyone without hesitation. Although, I was on a placement year, the team always valued my contributions. It is the KPMG culture.

KPMG has an extensive support/ mentoring scheme- Buddies- who were in your place last year Performance Manager- who monitors your development Mentoring Partner

It would probably have been a good balance if it didn't involve spending a significant amount of time travelling everyday. Very busy during the busy season!

One of the best things about doing a placement at KPMG is that from day 1 you are given serious work. You are never treated like an intern, rather you are treated like any other graduate and given a lot of responsibility. for eg. you liase with senior finance staff at clients independently on a day to day basis. And if you want to take on more challenging tasks, all you have to do is ask.

Although my work does not relate to my university degree, I learnt a lot of skills, especially communication skills and giving my confidence a boost. Other skills include working under pressure, time manamgement, project management and team work. Further, since I always aspired to qualify as a Chartered Accountant, everything I learnt at KPMG counts towards it. Also, KPMG sponsored some of my ACA- ICAEW exams. KPMG genuinely invests in its staff.

The general atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. It is not the very serious corporate environment portrayed in movies!! There are frequent socials to allow everyone to catch up. However, it tends to get frantic in the busy season or near completions.

The placement was set up quite elaborately from day 1. We had a 1 week induction at a corporate golf resort in the first week, Internal technical training sessions and ICAEW tuition and exams spread over the year.

The firm sponsors 5 ICAEW exams for placement students including study leave and tuition at an external college. It has its own Business School where you can take online or group training courses, which include both technical and soft skills.

Although I have not heard anything formally, most placement students have come back to KPMG after graduation.

There were numerous socials, audit debriefs, CSR days and ofcourse the KPMG Ball through out the year, to allow everyone to catch up.

It was quite reasonable.

Who hasn't heard of Birmingham Broad Street?

There is a lot going on at KPMG from CSR to sports tournaments, only no time! And if there is something that is not there, all it takes is an email around the office to start your own.