SHOW YOUR
TRUE COLOURS
a small selection of our recent recruits
georgia howlett
business services
and accounting
The next
Mary Berry
Xbox addict
mark mason
audit
hannah hughes
global outsourcing
Undertook voluntary
work in Ghana
aleena butt
audit
Met the
Spice Girls
Has swum with
sharks
ryan cockerill
audit
Qualified
scuba diver
daisy mackay
audit
sebastian atudosie
tax
Part time digital
music producer
mia fisher
audit
Animal charity
volunteer
services
what can you add to our mix?
The fact is, when your job involves giving business advice,
it’s definitely not for anyone in search of a dull daily grind.
Here at BDO, we want to open your eyes to how varied and
challenging our work really is.
Golfer
olivia nisbet
audit
Qualified
tennis coach
connor wyatt
tax
Holds a power
boat licence
hannah thomas
tax
Amateur boxer
charlotte pearce
tax
rewards and benefits
polly authers
audit
application process
Snowboarder
programmes
It’s obvious, really. Businesses come in
endless varieties – as do the people
who run them – and often require
many different services from
the wide palette that we offer.
So the only predictable thing
about each day is that it won’t
be the same as yesterday. Such
variety in our work means we
also need diversity in our people.
Our success draws upon a vast
spectrum of individual qualities
and talents, and on the vivid
personalities who shape our teams
and who can build relationships with
our clients. So if you just can’t see
yourself as a typical accountant…
then you might be just the person
we’re looking for. Come and show
us your true colours.
sectors
Figure skated for
Great Britain
Do you think accountancy sounds like a colourful career?
If not, then maybe you should think again.
callum paterson
technology risk
advisory services
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT
we’re bdo. welcome to our world.
it’s a world where the only predictable thing is that today
will be different. it’s bright people turning professional
solutions into an art form. it’s a fresh approach that
colours everything we do.
Because what we do is, we advise businesses. And businesses come
in as rich a variety as the people who run them. What’s more, they
need to draw upon our wide range of different services. So the last
thing we want is people who are all the same.
You may think we’re only looking for number-crunchers. But take
a walk around our offices, and you’ll see accountancy in a whole
new light. We’re after talent that comes in every shape you can
imagine. We want potential we can develop into brilliance. And we
want vivid personalities who can blend with our teams and relate
to the people we advise.
Our strength has always been in the sheer number of different
qualities that our people have to offer. So what can you add to our
mix?
why bdo is a more colourful prospect
At BDO we know how to make sure you give your best. Quite
simply, we let you. We hire the people who show the most
potential and then we do everything in our power to help you
develop it. But you are the one who gets to discover where your
strengths and interests lie, and you are the one who will shape your
own career path. We believe it’s this autonomy that makes us so
much stronger as a team.
BDO is about exceptional client service. This means we take the
time to get to know our clients well, to understand what they want
to achieve and then give specially tailored advice. So we choose
people who can engage their personalities as well as their skills,
and who can take the initiative and find imaginative solutions. In
return, we provide highly competitive rewards and benefits, and
recognition of your outstanding performance.
It’s worth adding that this is simply a good place to work. Our
motto is “one firm, clients first” – which means we always work
together as a team to serve our clients. We’re welcoming and
supportive, and we want you to succeed as much as you do.
Most importantly, you always know exactly what we expect from
you, and what you can expect from us in return.
01
show your true colours
services
Value you as an individual ​
Behave in accordance with our
values​
Behave in accordance with our
values​
Deliver high performance and
quality work​
Trust you and give you
flexibility ​
Empower your colleagues,
share your knowledge and
work effectively in a team​
Support you in your personal
and professional development​
Develop a sound knowledge
of business and a commercial
approach​
Listen to your views, involve
you and communicate openly
with you​
Play a significant role in
growing client relationships
and winning work ​
Be accessible and
approachable​
Contribute ideas and listen to
the views of others​
Agree clear expectations and
give you honest, timely and
constructive feedback​
Have a positive attitude and
be willing to put in extra effort
when needed​
Align your reward to your
performance, and give you
personal recognition when you
do well​
Aim high, learn and develop
“
My advice is to find an organisation with
values which match your own and
which inspires a passion and enthusiasm
in what you do.
“
james davenport
qualified with bdo: ACA in Jan 2003
currently: Group FD (& UK MD) Innocent
show your true colours
02
rewards and benefits
Deliver exceptional client
service​
application process
Provide you with a richness of
opportunity to broaden your
experience, stretch yourself
and take the lead​
values make a difference
We have a two-way
promise that we
make with our
people. This is
underpinned
by our values
which guide
our behaviour in
everything we do.
programmes
we expect you to:
sectors
you can expect us to:
show your tr
at bdo we offer a broad spectrum of
different services to help our clients
achieve their goals.
Where you choose to specialise will depend
on your own particular strengths and
aptitudes. Which one is a good match for
you?
On the following pages you can find out
more about these service lines and the
qualifications you’ll need to apply for them.
AUDIT
larger and listed companies
require statutory audits
to confirm that their
financial statements
and business are sound.
Keen powers of analysis, a
healthy level of scepticism,
an eye for detail and a flair
for being thorough are all
essential qualities of the
good auditor.
see page: 05
03
show your true colours
services
ADVISORY
FINANCIAL SERVICES
tax advice is a diverse field,
because tax affects so many
aspects of a business. Some of it
is about staying compliant with tax law
from day to day. Other areas include the
tax implications of international trade,
mergers and acquisitions, employment,
VAT, personal wealth – the list goes on.
not a single business area but a
whole set, our seven national
advisory streams deliver more
than 25 distinct services
between them, to a broad
range of clients and
markets. While retaining their
this increasingly competitive
sector includes retail banks,
capital markets firms, insurance
companies and asset management
firms. Our clients range from innovative new
see page: 07
Business areas include
Business Restructuring,
Forensic Services, Global
Outsourcing, Consulting,
Mergers and Acquisitions
(M&A), Transaction Services, and Risk and
Advisory Services.
brands to large international institutions, and
our team can deliver a wide range of services
from audit to regulatory advice.
We look for colleagues who can take a rigorous
approach and thrive in a dynamic environment.
see page: 12
show your true colours
04
rewards and benefits
see page: 09
application process
A tax adviser helps clients to understand
the ever-changing legislation and how it
affects their business.
own unique identities, the streams
work together as a community
to make the most of everyone’s
talents and maximise the
available opportunities.
programmes
TAX
sectors
rue colours
GET THE PICTURE:
AUDIT
think of the audit as an organisation’s
health check. a legal obligation for many
companies, an audit also gives vital assurance
about the viability of the business.
business services & accounting
We are there for clients who need more accounting expertise than
is practical for them to keep in-house (one example might be
the new UK subsidiary of an overseas company). We can provide
anything from specialist technical support, to stop-gap cover at
As auditors, we look to see if the client’s statements about their
financial position are true, fair and accurate. We work closely
with their finance team and other key people to get to know their
business well and understand the risks they face. Then we can
identify any weaknesses in their financial statements, business
systems or culture, and so advise them on suitable solutions.
You are part of our team from day one, playing active roles in
assignments and contributing in many areas. As you learn new
skills via first-hand experience, you can get support whenever you
need it from your senior team mates.
And if you want even more variety, then in your third year we give
you the option of an overseas secondment to one of the firms
in our international network – popular destinations include
Australia and the USA.
05
show your true colours
rn • l
ea r n
As an audit trainee you will spend 2 years working in
the business while studying for your CFAB qualification
alongside the Higher National Apprenticeship in
Accountancy (HNA). After this you will study towards either the
ACA (from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England
and Wales) or the CA (from Institute of Chartered Accountants
of Scotland) in Scotland. Business Services & Accounting
trainees will study towards the AAT (Association of Accounting
Technicians) with the potential to continue on to the ACCA
(Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
e
ou a
As auditors we also like to build long-term relationships with
our clients, getting to know them and their business really well.
By doing this, you’ll find you can more readily spot potential
problems, often before they arise.
particular times, to a fully outsourced finance function. Our people
are flexible, dependable types who thrive on varied challenges and
are always looking for new ways to improve our services.
as y
Being a BDO auditor means variety. You get to work on a range of
different organisations, with each day bringing new challenges. A
lot of it takes place at the client’s premises, which is a great way
to absorb the atmosphere of the business and get a sense of its
culture, how the people like to work and what motivates them to
perform – all of which are major factors in the health of a business.
We’ll enhance this learning with our Initial Professional
Development programme, through which you can develop
personal, commercial and technical skills as well as
professional judgement in real situations.
services
sectors
PROFILE:
OUR RECENT RECRUITS
olivia nisbet
My parents are so proud of the work I’m doing, and what I’m
achieving. I definitely think that they are more impressed, and
proud of me for working for such a huge firm, and gaining this
qualification, all at such a young age.
programmes
“
audit trainee
I think the school leaver programme is excellent – earning money,
whilst gaining valuable experience and a globally respected
qualification.
application process
The atmosphere in the office is second to none, and could not be
easily replicated anywhere else. No matter how junior you are,
even the most senior people respect you, and will always take the
time to listen to you, and help you.
show your true colours
06
rewards and benefits
“
“
My parents and all my family really are
extremely proud of me. I have a wellpaid full time job which I enjoy with so
many career opportunities available
once I am qualified. I have just bought myself a new car and am
looking to move out in the next few years. I can afford to go on nice
holidays, attend music festivals and still have time to continue
with my hobbies, meet friends and just relax. It’s safe to say many
of my friends are very jealous of my position.
charlotte pearce
tax trainee
PROFILE:
OUR RECENT RECRUITS
07
show your true colours
The School Leaver Programme offers a great business qualification
(ACA), and provides you with a large range of skills and
knowledge. I will be a fully qualified chartered accountant with
no student debt in only 5 years, throughout which I will be gaining
priceless on the job experience as well as getting paid a salary.
I like the independence and responsibilities I am given. I am set
work which I can get on with freely by myself and then pass over
to be reviewed, though colleagues are always happy to help
and support me if there are any areas I’m unsure of. I also get to
interact with clients which makes me feel like part of the
team and really involved in the delivery of our service.
services
a bdo client will generally have some short-term goals and
a long-term vision – but standing in their way will often be
a number of tax-related issues. our job is to act as guides
through the complex, ever-changing landscape of tax
legislation, to help our clients get where they want to be by
the most effective route.
Your journey to becoming a BDO tax adviser will begin in the area
of compliance – with responsibilities such as providing figures for
a company’s statutory accounts, and preparing their corporate tax
returns. As you develop, you’ll progress on to more challenging
work, such as advising clients on tax opportunities and pitfalls. You
will also begin to deal directly with HMRC and get to grips with
complex tax advisory projects.
rn • l
e
ou a
After this you will go on to study towards either the CTA
(Chartered Institute of Taxation) or the joint ACA (Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) and CTA.
We help you to enhance this learning with our Initial
Professional Development programme, through which
you can develop the necessary personal, commercial and
technical skills. Most of all, you will learn to exercise
professional judgement in real situations.
bdo client: carluccio’s
show your true colours
08
rewards and benefits
“
As a tax trainee you will spend 2 years working in the
business while studying for your CFAB qualification
alongside the Higher National Apprenticeship in
Accountancy (HNA), or the ATT qualification (specific to some
tax locations only).
application process
“
BDO were proactive and innovative in
providing solutions and coming up with
several ways to save us money. They
showed an understanding of our business
and clear thinking about what we can do.
ea r n
as y
Such a diverse offering means we need similar variety in our
team. We need specialists who can handle the most technically
challenging and sector-specific issues, we need versatile and
people-focused individuals who can field a wide range of questions
from large owner-managed businesses, and we need brilliant
innovators who can work on tailored solutions to address a client’s
specific circumstances.
You may also get the chance to spend time in one of our specialist
tax areas, or in one of our audit groups, to really explore your
options and talents and diversify your experience.
programmes
To do this, we must offer many different tax services. These
include day-to-day compliance with the tax authorities, advice on
employment taxation and international tax, transaction support
for deals such as mergers and acquisitions, VAT services, expatriate
tax advice and more.
sectors
GET THE PICTURE:
TAX
GET THE PICTURE:
ADVISORY
as businesses grow, so do the challenges they face. our
advisory services help them manage these challenges, which
might include buying a business, rescuing one, resolving
legal disputes, fighting fraud, raising finance, international
expansion, setting business strategy and much more.
There is a fast-growing demand for these services, so this is an area
of real opportunity.
“
We selected BDO as we needed a partner
who would work with us collaboratively
and share their in-depth sector
expertise and best practice to help
us understand our challenges and
identify opportunities to grow our
global business.
“
bdo client: monsoon accessorize
09
show your true colours
we offer school leaver programmes in:
business restructuring
A failing business can often be rescued by
restructuring it. We offer pragmatic advice to help
stabilise and improve such businesses
and avoid formal insolvency. Where
business rescue is not practical, we
work to maximise value for creditors,
employees and other stakeholders.
Working with this team will often take
you to company sites, in a role most
suited to those who can perform calmly
under pressure, thrive on new challenges and
work well with a range of people.
global outsourcing
Businesses that operate globally have to cope with a wide variety
of local accounting requirements. This can be a huge administrative
burden as well as a major area of risk; so many businesses choose
BDO to take care of their global finance function.
We provide the necessary local expertise from our extensive
international network, all centrally coordinated from a single point
of contact. Being part of this team means combining rigorous
technical ability with excellent people skills.
services
sectors
rn • l
e
ou a
As well as enabling our clients to meet all their governance, risk
and compliance needs, we also help them to respond proactively
to those risks and seize opportunities. Many people enjoy the
variety of working across different industries and portfolios, where
clients may range from a Premiership football club to one of the
UK’s largest zoos.
As a trainee in our Advisory business, you will spend
2 years working with us while studying for your
CFAB qualification alongside the Higher National
Apprenticeship in Accountancy (HNA). After this, your choice of
qualification will be influenced by your intended business area.
Depending on your specialism, you will study for one (or more)
of the following:
• ACA (from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in
England and Wales) or CA (from the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Scotland) in Scotland
• CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
We help you to enhance this learning with our Initial
Professional Development programme, through which
you can develop the necessary personal, commercial and
technical skills. Most of all, you will learn to exercise
professional judgement in real situations.
10
rewards and benefits
show your true colours
application process
risk and advisory services
In an ever-changing economic landscape,
new risks are never far away. We help
organisations to identify, understand and
respond to these increasingly complex risks,
which can arise from many factors including globalisation,
changing technologies and evolving regulation.
ea r n
as y
Part IT-consultant, part business adviser, you will
keep up with the latest technology trends in
this constantly developing role.
programmes
technology risk & advisory services
Businesses depend on their technology like never
before, and this dependence is ever-increasing. We
help our clients to ensure that their systems deliver
the maximum business benefits, while minimising the
inherent risks.
PROFILE:
OUR RECENT RECRUITS
“
callum paterson
technology ras trainee
The training I’ve experienced so far at BDO has allowed me to
develop skills in many different areas. The support is always
there whenever needed to ensure we pass the required exams.
“
This programme was recommended to me while I was at school.
My parents were supportive towards my choice and now
are proud of what I’m achieving every day.
11
show your true colours
services
Working in the financial services stream means variety. From the
start you will be involved with a wide range of clients, including
large international financial institutions and AIM listed companies,
but also new entrants and innovative challenger brands.
rn • l
As a trainee adviser to our Financial Services clients,
you will spend 2 years working in the business while
studying for your CFAB qualification alongside the
Higher National Apprenticeship in Accountancy (HNA).After
this you will study towards either the ACA (from the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) or the CA (from
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) in Scotland.
We help you to enhance this learning with our Initial
Professional Development programme, through which you can
develop the necessary personal, commercial and technical skills.
Most of all, you will learn to exercise professional judgement in
real situations.
12
rewards and benefits
show your true colours
application process
This is a world in which integrity, transparency and innovation
are all vital for competitiveness, and we enable our clients to fulfil
those objectives. We work with them to mitigate the risks that
threaten their business, ease the burden of regulation and adapt to
changes in both the market and the economy.
ea r n
as y
So our clients need us to understand the technical and commercial
aspects of their business, while rapidly responding to new
developments to help them stay one step ahead. We have proved
that we can meet that need – 96% of our financial services clients
would recommend us.
Along the way you will supplement this training with first-hand
experience, including on-site client work, as you develop a
thorough understanding of the financial services industry through
the practical application of your studies.
programmes
Clients include retail banks, capital markets firms (e.g. investment
banks), insurance companies and asset management firms. All of
these operate in a landscape of intense competition, economic
pressures and ever-evolving regulation, while each will face its own
particular challenges too.
The work we carry out is wide ranging too, a full offering of audit,
tax advice and specialist risk and regulation advisory services. As a
trainee, you will choose a service area in which to specialise, and
study towards the appropriate qualification.
e
ou a
the financial services sector is particularly dynamic and
specialised, so we maintain a dedicated stream of advisers
focused exclusively upon it.
sectors
GET THE PICTURE:
FINANCIAL SERVICES
ACROSS THE SECTOR SPECTRUM
one of the best things about working for bdo
is that you will get to deal with a wider range
of clients and sectors than you might in some
of the other big firms.
At BDO our number one goal is delivering exceptional client
service – and we couldn’t do that without first gaining a
thorough understanding of each client and the sector in which
they operate.
Within the firm we have many sector specialists who know
particular industries inside-out – but when you first join us,
you’ll get to experience working with clients of every shape
and size across many different markets.
It makes for a rich and stimulating introduction to the
world of accountancy and business advice – one that
will open your eyes to the many possibilities ahead of
you.
We advise businesses and organisations from virtually
every sector there is – which of course means working
closely with them. The result is a career in which new
experiences can be an everyday part of the job.
Each sector has its own unique characteristics and
business environment, so having specialist knowledge of
these can give us a vital edge.
13
show your true colours
You may find that after a few years with us, you are drawn more
towards a particular sector. If so, we’ll encourage you to develop
that flair to become one of our sector specialists.
our clients can be found in:
financial services
manufacturing
natural resources
not-for-profit (including charities
and public sector organisations)
professional services
real estate & construction
“
technology, media & telecoms
consumer
markets
“
I really liked all the people I met during
my interview and assessment process.
BDO felt like a good fit for me.
rebecca osman
qualified with bdo: ACA in January 2006
currently: Business Development Director
TUI Travel PLC
sectors
audit trainee
OUR RECENT RECRUITS
You attend college and sit exams with other BDO School
Leavers and this means there’s other people around you
involved in the same process, so you can help each other
out. Trainees in my office are happy to offer their help and
this really encourages you to work hard and do well.
application process
PROFILE:
“
programmes
mia fisher
The increase in tuition fees did make me question
whether University was the best route. After
studying A Levels, I also liked the idea of being
able to do something a bit more practical
alongside studying.
“
show your true colours
14
rewards and benefits
My parents always supported my decision and I think they’re
really proud of what I’ve achieved. I left home in order to
take this job and it has definitely given me a chance to stand
on my own two feet which I’m sure they’re
really pleased about!
SCHOOL LEAVER PROGRAMME
let us pay for your training and we’ll let you unleash your
talents
A university education isn’t for everyone – some people want to
get out there and start working and earning straight away. Our
School Leaver Programme means you can do just that.
Here, you can gain highly-regarded professional qualifications
alongside a permanent salaried career, all without the expense
of funding higher education. At the same time, you’ll be gaining
invaluable experience in a commercial environment, working on
real business projects alongside leading industry professionals. We
pay for all your training and we pay you for your work.
your route to qualification
Our School Leaver Programme combines work experience with
study towards your professional qualifications. For the first two
years you will study towards the Certificate in Finance, Accounting
and Business (CFAB) qualification and the Higher National
Apprenticeship in Accountancy (HNA). If successful in these, you
will continue on to study towards an appropriate professional
qualification for your chosen specialism. This will usually be the
ACA, but may be the CA (in Scotland) or the ATT or CTA if you
intend to specialise in tax.
If you pass all your exams, then within 5 years you will be a
qualified accountant.
ever-present support
Make no mistake, your training with us will be hard work. But we
want you to succeed as much as you do. So from day one you can
draw upon an extensive network of support, including mentors,
partners and your individual counselling manager. They are there
15
show your true colours
to help you to settle in, to find the best ways to
meet the challenges you will face, and to realise your
full potential. In addition you will also be assigned
a buddy (a more experienced colleague) and a
student qualification manager,
whose focus is to support you
through your professional
exams.
your training
We pay for every aspect of
your professional training.
This is conducted by external
tutor firms, except for CTA
training which we offer in-house.
We make sure you have all the study time you need, along with
support and extra tuition if you want it. Consequently our results
are excellent – often up to 10% above the national average.
Our training includes not only the specialist knowledge and
practical skills you’ll need for your business area, but also a range
of personal, management, client service and client-winning skills.
Together they will help you to become a fully rounded BDO
adviser.
find out more
We aim to give you as much information as possible about the
business areas open to you, and their corresponding qualifications.
Please take the time to read about each area in this brochure, to
see how they might fit in with your strengths and interests. You
can also learn more on our website, and watch videos of recent
BDO trainees talking about their disciplines.
SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMME
find out what it’s
like to work at
bdo and secure
a place on our
school leaver
programme
If you’re curious about our School
Leaver Programme and wondering
whether to apply for it next year, then
this will help you make up your mind.
After this full-on induction, you will spend
the remaining nine working days at your
chosen local office. Now the experience really
begins, as you get to explore your selected business
stream at first hand. You will go out on real client
assignments, working alongside your team just like a
first-year school leaver, so you can learn what the job is
really like.
Along the way you will gain exposure to a variety of
industry sectors, and interact with a wide range of senior
people including partners and managers. You’ll also be
assigned to work on a team project, to show that you can put
what you have learned into practice. Constant support means
you are never out of your depth – if you’re unsure of anything,
just ask.
show your true colours
16
rewards and benefits
Even better, successfully completing
our Summer School means you
are in a great position to secure
a place on our School Leaver
Programme.
The course lasts for a fortnight in total. For your first
day you’ll come to our London office. There you will
meet your fellow candidates, receive a general
introduction to BDO, and take part in skills
training and various group activities.
application process
try before you apply
Could a career at BDO be beckoning
you? The Summer School is the best
place to find out. It’s your chance to
experience life at the firm, discover what
our work involves on a daily basis, meet
our people and explore your options first
hand.
a quick summary
The first step is your
application – we want to make sure that
we choose strong candidates who will gain
the full benefit. You specify the UK office
where you’d prefer to be based, and the
business stream in which you’d like to gain work
experience.
programmes
Have you heard about our Summer
School? It’s something we’re
particularly proud of. We believe
it offers you an exceptional
opportunity to look ahead at
your career options – with
a depth of experience and
personal development that
you may struggle to find
from other firms.
During your placement there will
be a variety of internal and social events, which let
you mingle with other trainees, including school leavers
and graduates. This will help you develop a real feel for what BDO
is like, as well as a clear idea of what to expect if you choose to
continue your training with us.
At the end of the fortnight, you will be interviewed by a partner.
This is to gauge how much you have learned and benefited from
the Summer School, and is also a chance for you to offer your
own feedback. Finally, all the candidates gather for a send-off
lunch – yet another opportunity to make friends and build your
professional network for the future.
why apply?
Our Summer School has helped many high calibre A Level students
to weigh up their options about what to do when they leave
school. Even if you take the placement and then decide BDO
isn’t for you, you will have some valuable work experience and
new skills to add to your CV, as well as some potentially valuable
contacts.
Even more importantly, you will gain a real understanding of how
a professional services firm operates, which will help you make an
informed career decision.
And remember, successfully completing our Summer School puts
you in a great position to secure a place on our School Leaver
Programme.
17
show your true colours
“
BDO has been incredibly supportive
throughout my 14 years with the firm and
provided me with new challenges and the
necessary training and support to meet
those challenges. The job changes every
year and continues to do so. It is the variety
that I have really enjoyed during my career
here.
“
edward goodworth
qualified with bdo: ACA in January 2003
currently: Audit Partner, Real Estate and Construction
test us out
To apply for the BDO Summer School, simply use our
online application form. You need to be in Year 12 to
be eligible, and you must also fulfil the following entry
requirements:
• Predicted to achieve 280 UCAS Points or equivalent (taken
from your highest three A-Level grades excluding General
Studies)
• Grade B or above in GCSE Maths and English
Questions? Ask us at [email protected] and we’ll do
our best to help.
APPLICATION PROCESS
choosing to make your mark with us
To ensure our selection process is completely fair
and consistent, we ask all candidates to apply online.
(If you can’t do this, please contact us on 020 7893 2864).
When you apply you can state your preferred UK office (with a first
choice and second choice) and the business area in which you’d like
to work. We accept applications all year round, but if you have a
particular job or location in mind then it’s best to apply as early as
you can.application requirements.
In order to apply for our school leaver programme, you need to
have at least the following:
• grade B in Maths and English at GCSE/Scottish Standards or
equivalent
• 280 UCAS points or equivalent (excluding General Studies)
(obtained or predicted).
Find out more about the application process and view a hints and
tips video at www.bdo.co.uk/careers.
1.
The application form
You can find the form at www.bdo.co.uk/careers.
We will ask you about your academic background, work
experience and extracurricular activities. This is your first chance
to show us why we should consider you, so make your answers as
relevant and engaging as you can. Without exaggerating, don’t sell
yourself short.
2.
Online ability tests
If you meet our criteria in your application form,
we will invite you to complete our online aptitude
tests. You will be pleased to know that there are practice questions
online which you can try first, so that you know the kind of things
to expect.
3.
The interview
This is your chance to show us that you have what
we’re looking for. Prepare for your interview by
studying the list of competencies that we consider most important,
and be ready to explain how you have demonstrated these in your
experience to date. Remember to be clear and concise.
4.
After this, a BDO partner will meet with you for your final
competency-based interview.
show your true colours
18
rewards and benefits
Assessment day
Today you will meet your fellow applicants and also
some current trainees. It will be your first real taste of
what working at BDO is like, as we take you through case studies
based on real client situations.
application process
We will also consider qualifications from outside the UK.
four steps to start your career
REWARDS AND BENEFITS
at bdo we offer you a highly
competitive starting salary. salary
levels may vary according to office
location and the area of the business in
which you work, but all are set with a view to
attracting the best people to the firm.
Everyone’s salary is reviewed each year, and as a trainee you will
receive increases that reflect your performance. We’ll also pay your
tuition and all your professional exam fees, and pay you bonuses
for passing your exams during your training period.
On top of your salary we offer many additional benefits. These
include core benefits, to which you are automatically entitled, and
flexible benefits, which you can customise to suit your needs and
lifestyle.
Your core benefits are:
• 25 days’ holiday
• the option to join the company pension scheme, with matched
employer contributions
• life assurance cover at three times your salary
• income protection insurance of 50% of your salary
You can purchase further benefits with deductions from your
salary, using our Flexcel system. Benefits available through Flexcel
include:
• buying up to ten days’ extra holiday
• healthcare benefits such as private medical and dental
insurance
• a car through a personal lease arrangement
• other benefits including travel insurance, a bicycle from our
Bikes for Work scheme and cinema passes
19
show your true colours
We also offer various benefits designed simply to make your life
easier day to day. These include:
• discounted retail vouchers
• discounted gym membership
• online health assessments
• access to a free counselling and advisory service
• interest-free annual season ticket loan
• school leaver interest-free loan
an even more rewarding place to work
At BDO we operate two additional schemes to enhance our
business while rewarding our people. One is our employee
introduction scheme, and the other is our recognition programme:
One Firm, Clients First awards.
Employee introduction scheme
If you are working at BDO and introduce us to someone whom
we go on to hire, you will receive a bonus of between £1,000 and
£5,000.
Our recognition programme: “One Firm, Clients First” Awards
Any of our people can nominate any other individual or team
in BDO for a One Firm, Clients First award. These awards are to
recognise instances of exceptional client service, and include
instant awards of £75 gift cards and quarterly awards of up to
£2,500 for an individual award or £3,000 for a team award.
volunteering
And finally we support you if you wish to do voluntary work within
the community. We provide for up to ten days a year as part of our
community volunteering programme.
PROFILE:
OUR RECENT RECRUITS
“
connor wyatt
tax trainee
From applying online to signing my contract
the whole process took around a month, so it
was much quicker than anticipated and I found it
enjoyable. I really felt that BDO cared about me as an
individual during the whole process.
I chose BDO as they were big enough to be able
to work with large clients, and to have a great
reputation within the accountancy industry, but
small enough to care. Working in a large firm has
allowed me to work on a large variety of clients and
projects; such as fashion, property, natural resources,
and shipping. In the future I also have the opportunity
to undertake secondments to other departments and
offices in the UK and abroad.
show your true colours
20
rewards and benefits
I also like the fact that I am doing something which
most people would consider I would be too young to
be doing. I like telling people what I do
and shocking them!
BDO
LOCATIONS
if you want a firm where you can
make real progress, then ours is the
ideal size – combining nationwide
presence with local expertise and a
personal touch
EDINBURGH
GLASGOW
WHERE WILL
YOU MAKE
YOUR MARK?
We have 21 regional offices
across the British Isles,
so you can choose to
apply to the one with
the most convenient
location for you.
BDO can also boast the
world’s fifth largest international network, with
over 1,250 offices in 144 countries.
LEEDS
MANCHESTER
SHEFFIELD
LIVERPOOL
LINCOLN
GT. YARMOUTH
NOTTINGHAM
NORWICH
LEICESTER
BIRMINGHAM
CAMBRIDGE
IPSWICH
BRISTOL
READING
GUILDFORD
SOUTHAMPTON
GUERNSEY
21
show your true colours
LONDON
GATWICK
“
Our relationship with BDO is
underpinned by their enthusiasm for
and understanding of our business and
our industry. In addition to delivering
an efficient and effective audit, BDO
have become trusted technical advisers
who we freely consult with on matters
impacting on our business.
In both regards, the team bring ideas
to the table that have a positive impact
on our decision making. I have found
BDO to be responsive, proactive, ethical
and consistent in their delivery of all
professional services provided.
about bdo guernsey
BDO Guernsey employs 70 staff across audit, business advisory
and tax streams. We have a significant number of financial
services clients, as well as those involved in horticulture, tourism,
construction, manufacturing and retailing.
You will have the opportunity to work closely with our colleagues
in the UK, both on client-based assignments and joint training
initiatives. As you progress and complete your qualification, we
also offer secondments to broaden your experience, skills and
expertise.
Our trainees have a choice of either ACA or ACCA training, with
a comparable level of support to that received by trainees in the
UK firm. The ACA route will see you spending 2 years working in
the business while studying for your CFAB qualification. After this
you will study towards the ACA (from the Institute of Chartered
Accountants in England and Wales).
important note for guernsey applicants
We can only proceed with applications for the Guernsey office
from individuals who hold a valid Right to Work document issued
by the Housing Department of the States of Guernsey. Further
information regarding Right to Work documents can be obtained
from the States of Guernsey website at www.gov.gg.
“
bdo client: the jockey club
The ACCA route will see you combining study and work experience
to become ACCA qualified over 4 years. This, combined with
hands-on experience of our large client base, provides a great
foundation for your career in the profession.
show your true colours
22
show your tr
colourful careers
rue colours
colourful characters
for more information
e: [email protected]
www: bdo.co.uk/careers
BDO-TraineesUK
@BDO_TraineesUK
This publication has been carefully prepared, but it has been written in general terms and should be
seen as broad guidance only. The publication cannot be relied upon to cover specific situations and
you should not act, or refrain from acting, upon the information contained therein without obtaining
specific professional advice. Please contact BDO LLP to discuss these matters in the context of your
particular circumstances. BDO LLP, its partners, employees and agents do not accept or assume any
liability or duty of care for any loss arising from any action taken or not taken by anyone in reliance on
the information in this publication or for any decision based on it.
BDO LLP, a UK limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under number OC305127,
is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of
the international BDO network of independent member firms. A list of members’ names is open to
inspection at our registered office, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU. BDO LLP is authorised and
regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to conduct investment business.
BDO is the brand name of the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms.
BDO Northern Ireland, a partnership formed in and under the laws of Northern Ireland, is licensed to
operate within the international BDO network of independent member firms.
© 2014 BDO LLP. All rights reserved.
www.bdo.co.uk