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SHOW YOURTRUE COLOURS

a small selection of our recent graduates

* Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics

astrid mitchisonaudit | ba (hons)fashion marketing and communications

Has a handbag named after her

Ice skater

Bungee jumped over Victoria Falls

Plays the Guzheng

Climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro

200m athletics champion

Keen Magician

Captain of BDO Birmingham Netball Team

Globetrotter

Charity Fundraiser

jessica selcottaudit | bsc economics

robel fessaha tax | bsc accounting for management

ryan cusworth tax | mchem

chemistry

kyle smith tax | bsc economics

steph rance m&a | bsc business and maths zoe white

internal audit | bsc (hons) economics ashlyn gallagher

audit | bsc accounting and finance

panyun li audit | bsc (hons)

morse*

olivia williams audit | ba (hons) accounting and finance

Do you think accountancy sounds like a colourful career? If not, then maybe you should think again.

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.

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.

what can you add to our mix?

British Universities Football Gold Medallist

Has shaken hands with the Queen

Loves Ballroom and Latin Dancing

Charity workerOwns a horse called Perky

Advanced open water scuba diver

lisa falquero audit | ba (hons) history

toby ankers valuations | ba (hons) economics

james tilston forensics | bsc

accounting and finance

kate finney audit | bsc economics

tom deval tax | bsc (hons) economics

jennifer d’cruz financial services audit | bsc

accounting and finance

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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 prospectAt 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.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

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show your true colours 02

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.

“ “james davenportqualified with bdo: ACA in Jan 2003

currently: Group FD (& UK MD) Innocent

My advice is to find an organisation with values which match your own and which inspires a passion and enthusiasm in what you do.

you can expect us to: we expect you to:

Provide you with a richness of opportunity to broaden your experience, stretch yourself and take the lead

Deliver exceptional client service

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

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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.

show your true coloursAUDIT

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.


ADVISORYnot 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 own unique identities, the streams

work together as a community to make the most of everyone’s

talents and maximise the available opportunities.

Business areas include Business Restructuring, Forensic Services, Global

Outsourcing, Consulting, Mergers and Acquisitions

(M&A), Transaction Services, and Risk and Advisory Services.

see page: 07

TAXtax 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.

A tax adviser helps clients to understand the ever-changing legislation and how it affects their business.

show your true colours

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FINANCIAL SERVICESthis increasingly competitive sector includes retail banks, capital markets firms, insurance companies and asset management firms. Our clients range from innovative new 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: 15

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As an audit trainee you will study towards an appropriate qualification, usually either the ACA (from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and

Wales) or the CA (from ICAS) 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)

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.

business services & accountingWe 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 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.

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PROFILE: OUR RECENT GRADUATES

Annie graduated from Leeds University with a degree in Mathematics and Finance. Following a successful Summer Internship at BDO Annie was offered a place on the Graduate Training Programme.

annie aveyard

audit trainee

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Soft skill training courses such as how to improve your presentation skills have enabled me to grow within my role and outside of work.

Of all of my friends who have joined top six accountancy practices, I have been given the most responsibility, client exposure and variety in my work.

The members of my graduate intake have become some of my best friends.

““


The team of in-house tutors we have are great! They’re genuinely nice people and made the week we spent out of the office studying enjoyable and a good atmosphere to learn in.

The application process was very personable. I met several members of the team I would be working in, as well as a number of current trainees who gave me a true sense of the role I would be going into. I had plenty of opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the role and the firm. This all helped me decide that BDO was the right fit for me.

Kyle graduated from Nottingham with a degree in Economics. BDO was recommended to him by a friend who had enjoyed a great experience as a BDO Intern. Kyle chose Tax, and specifically Private Client Services, as he enjoys the particularly close contact and the strong personal relationships you can build with clients.

““

tax trainee

kyle smith



“

GET THE PICTURE: TAX

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 efficient route. 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.

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.

As a tax trainee you will study towards an appropriate qualification, usually either the CTA (from the Chartered Institute of Taxation) or the joint ACA/CTA

qualification (from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and the Chartered Institute of Taxation).

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.

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.

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.

bdo client: carluccio’s“


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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.

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GET THE PICTURE: ADVISORYas 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


business restructuringA 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 outsourcingBusinesses 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.

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.

Part IT-consultant, part business adviser, you will keep up with the latest technology trends in this constantly developing role.

consultingPut simply, management consultants help

organisations to achieve their specific goals or longer-term strategic objectives. The work we do is highly

varied, so our teams are made up a wide range of specialists.

We take the time to get to know our clients really well, comparing where they are now with where they want to be, and taking a good look at how they are currently doing things so we can offer real competitive advantage. Much of the time we are working closely with our clients on-site, so you’ll need excellent people skills and enthusiasm for new challenges.

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transaction servicesWhen our clients want to make an acquisition, a disposal or a strategic alliance, or look to access global capital markets by floating their company - they want one thing above all: to maximise

their potential return on the deal. We help to make this happen.

Working for a range of clients that include corporates, private equity providers, banks and other institutions, we carry out financial investigations on target companies located across the UK and around the world. We are looking for people with a proactive attitude who can

communicate strategic recommendations, backed up by a gift for numbers and a commercial brain.

risk and advisory servicesIn 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.

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.

mergers and acquisitions (m&a)Our M&A team advises clients who want to buy or sell businesses. We also assist private equity firms and corporate development teams by helping them to find acquisition

opportunities, both in the UK and abroad, making use of our extensive business relationships and global network.

To thrive in this team you will need to be good at understanding financial concepts, alongside a strong set of personal skills such as communication, self-motivation and

team building.

GET THE PICTURE: ADVISORY



You get great exposure to very senior members of the firm and you can create really good professional relationships.

Working at BDO has provided me with plenty of opportunity to travel. I have enjoyed seeing how clients and colleagues in other offices can offer a different perspective.

BDO has always provided me with a great support network where managers and partners feel approachable and willing to help you learn.

Callum graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Mathematics. The movie Wall Street inspired his initial interest in finance and prompted his desire to work in Mergers and Acquisitions. He’s a fan of the dynamic, ever-changing M&A environment.

““

callum butterfield

m&a trainee

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GET THE PICTURE: ADVISORY

forensic services Wherever legal proceedings involve issues of accounting, there you will find forensic services. Ours is one of

the most successful forensic practices

in the UK, comprising

of wide-ranging experts in

dispute resolution, professional negligence, combating fraud and corruption, forensic technology and valuations.

Our clients include companies, professional firms, regulators,

governments and not-for-profit organisations. If you

have strong analytical and problem solving

skills, and can focus well under pressure, this could be for you.

andrew merrimanqualified with bdo: FCA in September 1991

currently: CFO Thomas Pink

“ “Right from the start, you have more interesting training, working with a variety of companies and getting a real insight into the business world.



forensic services: fraud and financial investigationsWhether investigating fraud, accounting “black holes”, regulatory breaches, employee misconduct or other financial crime - our team provides investigative advice and implements fraud prevention measures that protect businesses against the threat of economic crime.

Being part of this team means working on large scale, complex financial investigations for the UK’s leading law enforcement, prosecution and regulatory agencies, as well as major law firms, banks, international corporations and foreign governments.

forensic services: tax dispute resolutionWhen companies or individuals have their tax affairs

investigated by HMRC, they may need expert advice in order to be sure of their own position. Reasons for us to get involved may include possible fraud, tax evasion, failed tax planning arrangements or non-legitimate tax avoidance schemes.

As a member of our team you will be involved in every stage, from meeting with clients and HMRC to helping to negotiate a settlement.

forensic services: valuationsWhat is it worth? A client may want an accurate valuation of assets (such as a business) for a number

of reasons – whether for commercial, tax, legal or accounting purposes.

Valuations are a growing market in the UK and globally, and our team has a respected reputation and many high-profile

engagements to our name. If you have a gift for numbers and a commercial brain, you could soon be working on anything from a damages claim to the valuation of a leading UK brand.

As a trainee in our Advisory business, your choice of qualification will be influenced by your intended business area. Depending on your specialism, you will

study for one of the following:• ACA (from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England

and Wales) or CA (from ICAS) in Scotland• CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)• CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst Institute) 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.

As a Consultancy trainee, you will study for a CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. In addition to this, we will support you through your PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification – an intensive week-long course on project and programme management that provides you with the practical skills and the theory that you need to run a project in almost any environment.

And we’ll help you enhance this learning with training in specialist technical and client-facing skills.

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I chose BDO because the atmosphere is friendly, open and motivating, the people are passionate about their work and there is a high level of client contact and responsibility given

to you from the start.

What I like most about the role is the variety of clients you get to work with enabling you to gain experience across a wide spectrum in a relatively short space of time.

““

audit trainee


Lisa graduated from Southampton with a degree in History. She chose BDO after meeting staff, managers and partners across the firm and being inspired by the firm’s atmosphere and environment. She wanted to be a dancer when she was younger but decided to keep this as a hobby when BDO provided the perfect opportunity to keep a great work/life balance !

lisa falquero

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GET THE PICTURE: FINANCIAL SERVICES

the financial services sector is particularly dynamic and specialised, so we maintain a dedicated stream of advisers focused exclusively upon it. 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.

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.

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.

As a trainee adviser to our Financial Services clients you will study towards an appropriate qualification, usually either the ACA (from the Institute of Chartered

Accountants in England and Wales) or the CA (from ICAS) 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.

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.

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 graduate trainee, you will choose a service area in which to specialise, and study towards the appropriate qualification. 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.


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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 from across many different markets.

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.

ACROSS THE SECTOR SPECTRUM

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.

“ “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


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our clients can be found in:

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.

manufacturing

not-for-profit (including charities and public sector organisations)

real estate & construction

financial services

natural resources

professional services

consumer markets

technology, media & telecoms


let us pay for your training and we’ll let you unleash your talents In gaining your degree you’ve shown how much potential you have. Now it’s time to decide where best to focus it. By now you’ll be aware of how many different areas make up our business at BDO. We can help you identify which one is right for you, so you can join the most suitable graduate programme and gain a qualification in your preferred discipline.

first stepsEverything starts with your induction. We’ll introduce you to our business and help you get your bearings. This is also your chance to get to know your fellow trainees, and so begin to build the friendships and internal networks that are such a big part of life at BDO. It’s all about getting you ready to begin your chosen graduate programme.

ever-present supportMake 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 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 access to our professional qualifications team, whose focus is to support you through your professional exams.

GRADUATE PROGRAMME

your trainingWe pay for every aspect of your professional training. This is conducted by external tutor firms, except for some elements of the 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.

which qualification?Choosing a particular business area and qualification may seem a daunting decision to make at this stage. We aim to give you as much information as possible about the options available, so you can see how well they fit in with your strengths and interests. Most of our graduates then find that they are drawn to one particular area that “feels right”.

Please take the time to read about each area in this brochure, and on our website, to help you make the right choice. You can also watch videos of recent BDO trainees talking about their disciplines.

SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

picture thisAn internship

with BDO is a fully involved experience, reflecting actual

working life as far as possible. You will be assigned to a specific project that will bring

genuine business benefits to the firm. You will also get to visit a range of different clients from

various business sectors, gaining insights into both our work and theirs.

You will meet and work with BDO partners, managers and trainees, who will be glad to share their experiences and tips on career development. You will also be able to mingle with other interns through social and work events.

shape yourself a brighter futureSix weeks with us can make a tremendous difference to your future prospects. A BDO internship will provide you with valuable work experience, new skills and knowledge, and looks great on your CV. Even more importantly, it

gives you first-hand exposure to work in a professional services firm, so that you can judge whether this is a career

path you want to pursue.

An internship is also a great way to build contacts and networks within BDO, which will be useful whatever you

decide to do. And it also gives you the opportunity to become a university ambassador during your final year.

experience life and work at bdo a year before you graduate Whether or not you’re already

considering our graduate programme, you can make

the decision much easier by trying BDO out first.

Our summer internship programme will give you a

six week taste of professional life with us, to help you plan your

future with confidence.

The programme runs from mid-July to late August every year. We have participating offices across the UK, so you can find the one most convenient for you.

find out moreFor details of what a BDO internship actually involves, please visit

www.bdo.co.uk/careers, or email any questions you may have to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.


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APPLICATION PROCESS

four steps to start your career

The application formYou 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.

Online ability testsIf 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 we have practice questions online which you can try first, so that you know the kind of things to expect.

1.

2.

choosing to make your mark with usTo 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.


The interviewThis 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.

Assessment dayToday 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.

After this, a BDO partner will meet with you for your final competency-based interview.

application requirementsIn order to apply for our graduate programme, you need to have at least the following:• a 2:1 degree in any discipline (obtained or predicted)• grade B in Maths and English at GCSE/Scottish Standards or

equivalent• 280 UCAS points or equivalent (excluding General Studies)

(obtained or predicted). We will also consider qualifications from outside the UK.

Find out more about application at www.bdo.co.uk/careers.

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4. ““

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


the colour of money 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 graduate 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.

REWARDS AND BENEFITS

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 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• graduate loans


an even more rewarding place to workAt 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 schemeIf 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” AwardsAny 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.

volunteeringAnd 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.

““We selected BDO as

we needed a partner; a business which would help us achieve our goals by providing timely advice. They fielded a good team, managed the audit committee process well and it is obvious they value their clients.

bdo client: crew clothing

rewards an

d benefits

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 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.

EDINBURGH

LEEDS

SHEFFIELD

LINCOLNGT. YARMOUTH

IPSWICH

LONDON

GATWICK

BRISTOL

GLASGOW

LIVERPOOL

MANCHESTER

NOTTINGHAM NORWICH

CAMBRIDGE

LEICESTER

BIRMINGHAM

READINGGUILDFORD

SOUTHAMPTON

BDO LOCATIONS WHERE WILL

YOU MAKE YOUR MARK?

GUERNSEY



about bdo guernseyBDO 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.

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. This, combined with hands-on experience of our large client base, provides a great foundation for your career in the profession.

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.

important note for guernsey applicantsWe 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.

““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 advisors who we freely consult with on matters impacting on our business. bdo client: the jockey club

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.

colourful careers


colourful characters


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

for more information

BDO-TraineesUK

e: [email protected]

www: bdo.co.uk/careers

@BDO_TraineesUK

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