BDO welcomes over 600 new trainees
Audit and advisory firm BDO has welcomed more than 600 new trainees. The recruitment comes as part of the firm’s annual intake of school-leaver apprentices, university graduates and students undertaking a 12-month industrial placement.
Paul Eagland, managing partner at BDO, said, “Welcoming our new cohort of trainees to the firm has always been one of my annual highlights, and this year is no exception. Our new trainees bring enthusiasm, energy and a thirst for knowledge. We know our insight and work experience programmes continue to make a real difference, with a number of students who took part in our 2022 and 2023 programmes having now completed their studies and joined the firm on our trainee pathway.”
The trainees, which join the firm’s 8,000-strong workforce across its audit, tax and advisory practices, are a combination of school leaver apprentices, university graduates and students undertaking a 12-month industrial placement. More than half are based in regions outside of London. As part of their training programme, the majority of new joiners will also have the opportunity to undertake a Level 7 apprenticeship programme, resulting in a qualification equivalent to a masters degree.
Most of the trainees will be welcomed at BDO’s induction, taking place in Wembley Stadium over the next couple of days. BDO has also seen 1,300 students register for the firm’s newly developed virtual work experience this year – and the firm will welcome over 80 students on a summer internship in July of next year.
This has led the firm to build a notable reputation as an employer of young professionals, from all backgrounds. Earlier in the autumn, BDO was ranked 69th in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, and ranked in the top 15 for the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.
Eagland added, “As a firm, and for me personally, increasing access to accountancy is incredibly important; where a person starts in life should not determine where they end up. As I come to the end of my tenure as managing partner, I can reflect on my own career journey and say that there is a challenging but hopefully incredibly rewarding and exciting road ahead for our new starters. Good luck to all those who are joining us this week.”
