Accountancy firm BDO has already taken on 20 trainees in Liverpool and Manchester and is inviting applications for a further 25 places this year. Tony McDonough reports

Accountancy firm BDO is taking on 45 new trainees in its Liverpool and Manchester offices in 2021.

The North West operation of the national practice has already welcomed 20 starters to the two bases. A further 25 trainees will start later in 2021. All the new entrants are either graduates or apprentices.

Due to COVID-19, much of BDO’s workforce is still working remotely so the the new joiners all took part in virtual inductions. The firm is inviting applications for the second cohort of trainee roles starting later this year.

The majority of the trainees will undertake a level-7 apprenticeship programme – a qualification equivalent to a master’s degree. More than 80% of new trainees in the North West will be recruited to BDO’s audit department.

Last summer BDO hosted its first ever ‘virtual internship’ where 26 students in their penultimate year of university were able to spend a week with the firm, gaining valuable insight into what a career at BDO might entail.

Ed Dwan, partner and head of BDO in the North West, said: “2020 has been a year like no other but, despite the immense challenges facing businesses and individuals alike, we are delighted to have recently welcomed more than 20 new trainees to our teams based in Manchester and Liverpool, and even more in 2021.

“Through a combination of the latest technology and a unified approach by our 343-strong team in the North West, we have been able to support our clients and communities during the global pandemic from our homes.

“This flexibility and focus on our core purpose to help people succeed, will allow our new cohort of trainees to still fully immerse themselves into their first few months with BDO, while the vast majority of our colleagues continue to work remotely.”

Nationwide, BDO has welcomed almost 400 new trainees, with a further 450 roles available to start in 2021. In 2019/20, the firm received more than 20,000 applications for its school leaver and graduate programmes.

Mr Dwan added: “Our own Rethinking the Economy analysis shows that investing in talent is hugely important to businesses in the current climate, particularly in young people looking to kick-start their careers.

“That’s why it’s important to look ahead and invest in the best and brightest people who will become our advisers of the future.”