tHE diFFEREnCE inSidE

Graduate careers in accountancy

We are the UK member firm of BDO a global accountancy network with more than 1000 offices in over 100 countries*. Based in 14 locations across the UK, BDO is one of The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers. Our training is exceptional and we offer opportunities in a range of exciting areas. Not all big accountancy firms are the same. We pride ourselves on being big enough to matter, yet small enough to value our clients as people rather than commercial opportunities. At BDO our difference is that exceptional client service is simply non-negotiable. What has this got to do with the graduates we choose? Everything. Of course, we have a list of academic and competency-related entry requirements. But theres something else. Were looking for graduates who dont fit the conventional accountancy mould.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 09 10 11 12 13

The Difference Inside Career path Our clients Routes into accountancy Audit Tax Advisory Our graduate programmes Our summer internship programme Application process Rewards and benefits Locations

*including exclusive alliances of BDO Member Firms

RESOURCEFUL

AttEntiVE

SHARP

EnERgEtiC

tHE diFFEREnCE inSidE

The Difference Inside is about the difference you as an individual can bring to our firm. We have identified four characteristics as the most essential for effective and appropriate client service. Look carefully. If youre serious about applying to BDO, youll need to understand exactly what we mean.

SHARP Youll need to be intelligent, on-the-ball and responsive. And sharp, too, about your clients commercial world so you can anticipate the problems they might face. If you can spot the link between two pieces of information that together provide a solution, you might have a client for life.

RESOURCEFUL Youll instinctively match your knowledge, skills and ideas (and you wont be short of those) with your clients requirements. Youll know your resources, and how to identify opportunities to build relationships and networks with colleagues in the UK and overseas that in turn help you to help your clients.

AttEntiVE Inexperience sometimes makes us anxious to jump in with an answer. You wont get very far with your clients if you dont take time to find out what they really want. Being attentive, prepared to listen first and act second, will help you develop long and trusting relationships.

EnERgEtiC Youll need physical and intellectual stamina for life at BDO. If you have an opinion (and we hope you have), wed like to hear it. Showing enthusiasm and the confidence to contribute to every challenge will help you to develop into the effective team player we expect you to be.

01

YOUR CAREER PAtH

Theres something about our culture that generates loyalty. Many of our senior people began their careers as trainees with the firm. Heres a typical career path with BDO. 1 QUALiFiCAtiOn We aim to get trainees through to qualification within three years. Youll quickly be working with a stimulating range of clients and have the opportunity to put your study into practice. Youll also attend commercial development training to help you prepare for client exposure as your responsibilities grow. We have an excellent reputation for getting people through exams, providing you with real time to study as well as on-the-job coaching and mentoring. As you approach qualification, youll need to consider which area to specialise in: whether to stay in the area where youve trained, or move to another if you prefer. Well help you choose whats right for you. 2 POSt-QUALiFiCAti0n Once qualified, well advise you on the learning and development you need to get to the next stage of your career with BDO. Theres on-the-job training, but youll also be using our comprehensive online Development Hub which combines e-learning options with the opportunity to attend workshops from presentations and networking to report writing and project management. As a qualified employee, youll have more responsibility and the chance to complete a range of challenging secondments to other business areas, clients, or even one of our offices overseas. Youll benefit from formal 360 degree feedback and six-monthly performance reviews. 3 MAnAgEMEnt Moving up to manager grade means running more teams, working with a broader portfolio of clients and starting to specialise in industry sectors. Youll also take on responsibility for colleagues development. As well as your core management role, youll get involved in internal training programmes, firm-wide projects, and sector focus groups to re-think our practice in key business areas. You will also be playing a growing role in supporting business development activities. 4 diRECtOR And PARtnER As a director, youll be expected to expand your network and start winning work. At this stage those individuals who have shown the potential to be BDO partners will be developing their business case for partnership. We look for true leaders who can create deeper client relationships, and help to form the strategy that will take our business forward.

OUR CLiEntS
At BDO we deal with a genuinely diverse range of clients, whose needs vary as much as their specialisms and situations. Youll face stimulating challenges that expose you to many different sectors, including: Financial Services Leisure and hospitality Manufacturing Natural Resources Non-Profit Organisations Professional Services Real Estate and Construction Retail Technology, Media and Telecoms and, with more experience under your belt, you may choose to specialise later on in your career. Exceptional service has always been important to our clients. Delivering it is our number one priority. The breadth and depth of our resources make BDO a highly credible and trusted alternative to the largest firms in the UK and worldwide. Our One Firm, Clients First strategy is so called because we want our clients to know and feel they are valued, that they are supported by the whole organisation not just an individual partner. So we encourage our partners and all our people to spend more time with their clients. Theres no substitute for face-to-face communication. Our long-established Client Listening Programme gives us independentlyresearched feedback on client satisfaction. More than four out of five say theyd definitely recommend us, and almost half of those have already done so.

In difficult circumstances we needed fully engaged advisers who we knew had broad specialist skills. We couldnt have asked for more from the BDO team. From the beginning, their calm and authoritative presence made sure the many strands of a very complex process were managed not only as individual streams, but as components of the whole. They worked tirelessly over an extremely intense period, providing relevant, commercial advice that got us through, helping to save the heart of the Group.
Richard Glanvill CFO, Aurora Fashions

Find out more about our sectors on our website www.bdo.co.uk/graduates

02/03

ROUtES intO ACCOUntAnCY

At BDO you can apply to train in a number of business areas. The following pages give you a short insight into each one, together with your qualification options. You can find out more at www.bdo.co.uk/graduates AUdit The majority of our work is carried out performing statutory audits on listed and larger private companies. With an in-depth understanding of the clients operations, we thoroughly check their financial accounts and records. tAX We advise clients on day-to-day tax compliance matters, as well as working with them on specific transactions where tax is vitally important. This means helping them understand ever-changing legislation and its impact on their business, so that they can plan their affairs to minimise their tax burden and ensure full compliance with tax regulations. AdViSORY Our Advisory services offer several career routes for graduates. Risk Advisory In our experience all companies are more exposed to risk than they think. Technology Risk refers to the way systems impact on business. Internal Audit focuses on the effectiveness of risk management strategies. Tax Investigations This area focuses on resolving all kinds of tax investigations, tax enquiries, tax disputes and conflicts with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Forensic Accounting Forensic Accounting includes fraud and regulatory investigations, asset tracing, recovery of the proceeds of crime, litigation, and dispute resolution. Business Restructuring This part of our business helps companies with financial problems. This may mean providing strategic advice, or more urgent recommendations on operational plans to improve performance and put the business back on the road to recovery.

BDO quickly grasped the complexities of our diverse and international businesses. BDOs hands-on approach with the support of its offices in New York, Hong Kong, Jersey and the Cayman Islands delivered a timely, effective and efficient audit.
Tim Fullwood Financial Director, Law Debenture

Priya Patel Audit Assistant Gatwick Office

AUdit Auditing is at the heart of business assurance. It means researching the industry in which the client operates and the commercial and financial risks they face, in order to focus our work in the best way. Most audits are undertaken on-site at a clients premises. Typically we interact with the finance team and other key personnel in the company, checking that the financial statements are accurate and, crucially, make sense based on what we know about the company and its sector. Depending on the type and size of client, a job in audit provides new challenges daily. Its the first step in gaining a thorough understanding of how a business really operates. The moment you walk through the door, youll be a member of a team contributing to a variety of areas on the assignment. Youll learn new skills with every job and have the continuous support and guidance of senior members in the team. Some audits could even take you around the world. Our teams have travelled as far as Kazakhstan and Mali on recent assignments.
Audit qualification options ACA: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales CA: Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

One thing Id heard about BDO before I joined is that they really want you to be yourself. Its absolutely true I dont feel Im supposed to fit into a particular corporate culture. In the audit team, you are always out meeting clients its very face to face and you get to know their organisations extremely well. The graduate programme is challenging and sometimes highly pressured, but its stimulating too and I know I have all the support I need to succeed.
View Priyas full profile www.bdo.co.uk/graduates

04/05

Laura Ashwell Tax Trainee Reading Office

tAX Every day, in all areas of taxation, our clients deal with the complexity of domestic and EU legislation and need to comply with HMRC requirements and those of other tax bodies. Our service includes company tax compliance, private client services, employment taxation, international tax advisory, private finance initiatives (PFIs), expatriate tax services, and VAT services. We also provide transaction support, working alongside our corporate finance and other teams to offer a complete service in relation to mergers, acquisitions and other transactions. As well as specialists who can deal with the most technically challenging sector-specific issues, we also employ people who can handle a wide variety of questions from large owner-managed businesses. We value and encourage both these skill sets equally and your training will give you an insight into all aspects of general corporate services. At first, youll largely be dealing with compliance issues providing figures for statutory accounts and preparing corporate tax returns. As you progress, youll be tackling more complex projects, advising our clients senior staff on tax pitfalls and opportunities, dealing with HMRC and getting to grips with complicated tax advisory projects.

Its great to work for such a strong, global firm and still feel respected and valued as an individual. Working in tax is so varied. Theres constant interaction with the clients and already I feel Ive built up rewarding and hopefully long-term relationships with them. Theres also plenty of contact with other BDO departments, as you need to keep up to date on technical issues. I do think BDO is excellent at providing support across the board.
View Lauras full profile www.bdo.co.uk/graduates

You may also have the opportunity to spend time in one of our specialist tax areas such as transfer pricing, VAT or private client or in one of our audit groups.
Tax qualification options ACA: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales CTA: Chartered Institute of Taxation (Chartered Tax Adviser)

AdViSORY Risk affects every company differently. We have graduate opportunities in the following Risk Advisory business areas. Technology Risk Rather than technology for its own sake, youll analyse the way systems impact on businesses. The role is a cross between an IT and business consultant. Your varied portfolio will expose you to many different sectors. Its a constantly developing role, and youll be expected to keep up with the latest trends and emerging technologies. Internal Audit Risk management and planning is an increasingly important part of a companys strategy and governance. This business area advises a broad range of major clients on the effectiveness of their risk management strategies and helps them safeguard their businesses against potentially serious or damaging situations. Youll have the opportunity to work with some high-profile organisations, to be their eyes and ears in a variety of contexts, and to provide solid advice on improvements to risk strategy that could make them even more successful.

Tax Investigations Every tax investigation is different. Our cases could involve tax evasion or fraud for example, false invoices and company accounts, undeclared offshore bank accounts or transactions which have not been declared to HMRC. We also deal with tax avoidance or possible failed tax planning arrangements for example, more technical cases that consider whether companies or individuals are really resident outside the UK, or investigate whether corporate and trust structures are artificial. As part of a team, youll be involved at every stage of a case including meeting with clients, their advisers and HMRC to help achieve a negotiated settlement. You may also be asked to work on employment tax issues. Forensic Accounting As well as fraud and regulatory investigations, asset tracing and recovery of the proceeds of crime, we get involved in litigation and dispute resolution, and are asked to provide expert witnesses on accountancy matters on a wide range of legal claims in numerous jurisdictions. If you have good oral and written communication skills, are a good team player and a problem solver who is able to think outside the box, this could be the right business area for you.

06/07

James Taylor Business Restructuring Executive Manchester Office

AdViSORY continued Business Restructuring Business Restructuring incorporates the rescue, rehabilitation and turnaround of ailing businesses and also formal insolvencies. We aim to get businesses of all sizes back on their feet as quickly as possible. This means providing advice on the strategic options available to the business and its funders, or on specific operational procedures that will help the business to recover. Where a business cannot be salvaged, we try to recover as much money as we can for interested parties such as banks or other funders, employees and other creditors. Youll find yourself in highly pressured situations from the start. If you like the idea of facing new challenges on every job, this type of work may be right for you. From early on, youll be given responsibility for various parts of an assignment, dealing with a range of people. Although some of our work is office-based, you will often need to conduct business at company sites.

I chose to work at BDO because its clearly a people business. Since Ive been here, Ive seen for myself that it really looks after its employees and clients. Everyone at BDO is approachable and genuine theres no pretence. From the word go, the firm sets out a clear career path: weve been encouraged to progress and reminded that partnership is definitely accessible.
View James full profile www.bdo.co.uk/graduates

Advisory qualification options Risk Advisory CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor IIA: Institute of Internal Auditors diplomas Tax Investigations CTA: Chartered Institute of Taxation (Chartered Tax Adviser) Forensic Accounting ACA: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Business Restructuring ACA: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

OUR gRAdUAtE PROgRAMMES

BDO offers graduate programmes in a range of exciting business areas and well help you identify the one thats right for you. The programmes are typically three years, leading to professional qualification in your chosen discipline at the end of that period. All combine three key elements: study towards your professional qualification; practical client experience and commercial awareness; and tailored training programmes covering both technical and client-facing skills. indUCtiOn Regardless of which graduate programme you choose to follow, our induction course will set you on your way. Its an overall introduction to our business, as well as a chance to meet your fellow trainees. Friendships and internal networks are an important part of life here, and this is where it all starts. SUPPORt Apart from paying for every aspect of your professional training, BDO will provide you with an extensive network of support including mentors, partners and an individual counselling manager, who will work with you from day one. Their role is to help you settle in and realise your full potential during your training contract. You will also be given a buddy before you start, and a student qualification manager, whose focus is to support you through your professional examinations. tRAining With the exception of our excellent internal tax training programme for CTA, your professional qualification-based training will be conducted by external tutor firms. We make sure you have all the study time you need, as well as in-house support and extra tuition if you want it. Our results are excellent often up to 10% above the national average. As well as technical seminars and courses that build the specialist knowledge and practical skills you need for your business area, well also train you in a range of personal, management, client service and client-winning skills. QUALiFiCAtiOnS Graduates find that certain business areas suit their interests and skills more than others. Each business area requires different qualifications and weve included details on our website www.bdo.co.uk/graduates. Please take time to study this information and, to help you reach your decision, there are also videos of recent BDO trainees in the main disciplines. Also see the Routes into Accountancy section of this brochure.

08/09

OUR SUMMER intERnSHiP PROgRAMME

If youre still an undergraduate in your penultimate year and are thinking of a career in accountancy, why not consider our six-week summer internship programme to test the water? Running from mid-July to late August each year, this programme provides high-calibre undergraduates with an opportunity to experience life and work at BDO. It will give you a useful insight into our business and culture and help you decide whether to apply for the graduate programme. Youll be given a real taste of life at the heart of the firm, working on interesting projects alongside graduate trainees and experienced professionals. wHAt YOULL gAin The internship programme exposes you to a range of different clients and sectors, as well as to BDO partners and managers and other interns. Graduate trainees will provide insights on career prospects, and youll complete a special project that will make a real business difference. Youll take away valuable work experience to add to your skills and CV, and a real understanding of how a professional services firm operates. Theres also the chance to build contacts and networks with BDO and become a university ambassador for the firm during your final year. We recruit intern positions at all our UK offices.
How to apply If you have any questions, please email us at student.recruitment@bdo.co.uk If you would like to apply for a BDO summer internship programme, please complete the online application form on our website www.bdo.co.uk/graduates

Annie Aveyard Tax Intern University of Leeds Mathematics with Finance

As a tax intern my work included completing basic tax computations and also visiting clients, giving me an insight into what the job was really like. The internship really boosted my chances of being offered a graduate position, and I was thrilled when BDO took me on.
View Annies full profile www.bdo.co.uk/graduates

APPLiCAtiOn PROCESS
The next step is your application. In it youll need to indicate the business area you wish to work in and your preferred UK office location.

tHE APPLiCAtiOn FORM So that everyone is assessed in a fair and consistent way, we ask all candidates to apply online at www.bdo.co.uk/graduates Applying online is the first stage of our selection process and offers you the opportunity to edit your answers as you go, or to save a draft application and return to it at any stage. If you cant apply online, please contact us on 0207 893 2864. Please bear in mind the following when completing the form: we accept applications all year round, but if you have a particular job or location in mind, its best to apply as early as possible. You will be considered initially for your first choice office location. If this is full, youll be considered for your second choice office. Questions on the application form are your first opportunity to demonstrate how your skills match our key criteria. When answering these questions, try to use recent examples and highlight your specific role and the skills you used and gained in the context you are describing.

Following your application there are further stages in our selection process: Online ability tests First-round, competency-based interview Assessment day (including one-to-one partner interview). APPLiCAtiOn REQUiREMEntS Youll need a minimum of: 2:1 Honours degree in any discipline obtained or predicted Grade B in Maths and English at GCSE/ Scottish Standards or equivalent* 280 UCAS points or equivalent* (excluding General Studies) obtained or predicted.
* We will consider qualifications obtained outside the UK.

Advice on application Our website www.bdo.co.uk/graduates provides a comprehensive guide to the application process including tips for success and FAQs.

10/11

REwARdS And bEnEFitS

BDO offers highly competitive starting salaries and a flexible benefits package. Starting salaries are set according to business area and location. They are reviewed annually and, as a graduate recruit, youll receive increases that reflect the market and your performance. Well also give you bonuses as a reward for passing your professional exams during your training period. Choice and flexibility are key features of our benefits package. Our Flexcel package gives you a wide range of options, including buying: up to 10 days extra holiday healthcare benefits such as private medical and dental insurance benefits like travel insurance, discounted retail vouchers or a bike from our Bikes for Work scheme. Our core benefits include: 25 days holiday optional company pension scheme, with matched employer contributions life assurance cover at twice your salary income protection insurance of 50% of salary. We also offer: discounted gym membership online health assessments access to a free counselling and advisory service interest-free annual season ticket graduate loans to our new recruits.

wHERE wE ARE LOCAtEd

Glasgow

Belfast Leeds Manchester

Birmingham

Reading

Bristol London Epsom

Cambridge Hatfield Chelmsford

Gatwick Southampton BDO LLP, a UK limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under number OC305127, is a member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. A list of members names is open to inspection at our registered office, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU. BDO LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority to conduct investment business. BDO is the brand name of the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. BDO Northern Ireland, a partnership formed in and under the laws of Northern Ireland, is licensed to operate within the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO LLP is the Data Controller for any personal data that it holds about you. We may disclose your information, under a confidentiality agreement, to a Data Processor (Shamrock Marketing Ltd). To correct your personal details or if you do not wish us to provide you with information that we believe may be of interest to you, please contact Lucy Hearne on 0207 893 3150 or email lucy.hearne@bdo.co.uk Copyright September 2010. BDO. All rights reserved. The document cover is printed on Regency Satin which is manufactured under strict environmental management systems; ISO 14001, EMAS (Eco-Management & Audit Scheme) and the IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control). The text pages are printed on Think4 which is a Carbon Balanced Paper, made from 50% recovered fibre, manufactured under ISO 14001 standard and FSC certified.

12/13

www.bdO.CO.Uk/gRAdUAtES