RSM UK strengthens future growth with record trainee intake
RSM UK has recruited a record high of 723 new students across the UK in 2022. The move surpasses its 2021 intake by 20%, as the firm continues to invest in its long-term growth plans.
According to RSM UK’s latest Middle Market Business Index, businesses are scaling back plans to hire new staff for the year ahead. Across the UK, just 33% of mid-market firms are recruiting more staff – a dramatic drop off from 52% at the start of the year.
But driven by its ambition to invest in the future, RSM’s trainee recruitment policy is running counter to that national trend. The number of school leavers joining the firm in the last two years has increased by 65%. A release from RSM suggests this demonstrates the firm’s focus on attracting more individuals who choose a career in professional services straight from school as an alternative to attending university.
Among the 723 new trainees, the audit, tax and consulting firm attracted 507 graduates and 116 school leavers. The lion’s share of those trainees will be based outside of the capital, throughout the firm’s network of 32 offices stretching from Southampton up to Aberdeen. RSM has also boosted its graduate intake by nearly 30% on last year.
Rob Donaldson, CEO at RSM UK, commented, “Recruiting our largest cohort of new trainees is a statement of our intent to continue investing in people to help us achieve our long-term growth ambitions. Taking their first step onto the career ladder, this group of new trainees form a vital component of a sustainable growth programme that looks to the future.”
Having worked at RSM for nearly 25 years, Donaldson has experienced the opportunities presented to young joiners, first hand. With “tough economic challenges” ahead, he added that life at RSM will equip the new trainees with the skills they need to “learn and flourish as they gain more experience in the workplace.”
RSM UK offers trainees a range of further opportunities from technical development to participation in charitable activity, and sponsorship of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award. The new recruits will be supported in studying for their professional ACA, AAT, ATT, ICAS, ACCA, CIA or CTA accountancy qualifications and will also benefit from a comprehensive internal development programme focused on developing a broad range of skills and supporting wellbeing.
Victoria Kirkhope, people partner at RSM UK, said, “It is very rewarding to know this year is our biggest number of trainees coming on board to help deliver our business ambitions. With a focus on personal and professional development, RSM is a great place to start your career and an exciting environment within which to progress. The latest wave of trainees come from different backgrounds with different experiences and outlooks, and the firm benefits from having a wide and deep pool of people. In return, they will gain a well-structured training path in their early years against a backdrop of working in a supportive and collaborative culture.”
The news comes shortly after Grant Thornton’s UK firm also announced a record trainee intake. The company similarly doubled the number of trainees joining its UK school leaver apprenticeship programme, welcoming close to 200 members.
