KPMG launches new audit-only apprenticeship

Mick Davies

Professional services firm KPMG has today announced the launch of an apprenticeship programme designed specifically for the next generation of auditors.

The firm’s first ‘audit-only’ apprenticeship has around 140 vacancies up for grabs to school leavers across its UK office network, including 17 positions in Manchester and four in Liverpool.

Places on the five-year programme will offer apprentices the chance to work towards a Level seven ACA or CA certification – qualifying them as an auditor upon completion.

The launch follows a successful pilot which has been running over the past 12 months and has seen 70 new apprentices join the UK firm.

The new programme follows heightened investment in the firm’s audit practice with the addition of 1,000 experienced auditors and 1,000 graduates in 2019 – the single biggest recruitment drive KPMG’s audit practice has ever seen.

KPMG now employs more than 1,200 professionals in Manchester, including a team of 377 auditors, across its St Peter’s Square office and its technology innovation hub at Circle Square in the city centre.

Mick Davies, head of audit in the north at KPMG, said: “Starting out in audit is a great career choice as it provides a broad education into how a business works. Our apprentices will be learning every day through working with experienced auditors and our structured in-house learning and development programmes.

“No two days will be the same as they help us run the rule over a large variety of different organisations across global markets, from the biggest multinationals through to innovative start-ups. Advances in new technology such as AI, blockchain and predictive analytics are fundamentally changing how we work and the sort of skills we’re looking for.”

Cajsa Thulin, KPMG apprentice, said: “I chose to do an apprenticeship at KPMG because I wanted to get stuck in and gain practical experience at a large global organisation.

“I knew university wasn’t for me, and by exploring different apprenticeships in a number of UK businesses I found that the KPMG programme was the best fit for my personal career path.”

Cajsa added: “I did my research, and everyone I spoke to praised the opportunities available here to learn both academically, and through working with experts in their chosen field.

“I’ve certainly developed a lot of skills in my time so far at KPMG, through using new technology and by meeting diverse groups of clients and colleagues.”

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