Accountancy firm BDO is taking on a 600 trainees – a record annual intake – with a number joining the practice’s Liverpool office. Tony McDonough reports
Accountancy firm BDO has taken on a record number of graduate and apprenticeship trainees, a number of whom will be based in Liverpool.
Last week the majority of BDO’s annual cohort of 600 trainees joined the business, with the firm welcoming trainees to its teams in Liverpool. More than half of the 600 trainee roles will be based in regions outside of London.
Most of the new trainees will be able to undertake a level-7 apprenticeship programme – resulting in a qualification equivalent to a master’s degree. More than 450 of the new joiners have been recruited to BDO’s audit team.
Of these trainees 29 will be based in the North West. Earlier this year, BDO also hosted its first ever annual, virtual insight programme with the aim of enhancing diversity and inclusion in the profession.
Almost 90 students took part in the week-long initiatives, designed to provide insight into what a career in accountancy might look like. These included programmes aimed at students in school years 10-12 from a lower socio-economic background and university undergraduates from a Black heritage.
BDO is also planning to hire 50 industrial placement students to join the firm for 12 months between their second and third year of university. These placements will be available in several locations, including the North West, London, Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol.
Ed Dwan, partner and head of BDO in the North West, said: “This investment in talent is more important than ever, after a challenging 18 months for young people who have had to navigate their way through the disruption and uncertainty of school and university learning, before embarking on their career against the backdrop of a global pandemic.”
“As a firm we are extremely proud of our strong culture, which encourages ambition and entrepreneurial spirit at all levels and across all streams, providing excellent progression opportunities and support for talented individuals.”