The overview

KMPG is one of the Big 4 audit and accountancy firms, providing audit, advisory, and tax and pensions services to its clients. Each letter of the name ‘KPMG’ represents an initial of one of its four founding members, who began the process of merging their individual accounting firms in 1870. The firm’s international headquarters is in Amestelveen, Netherlands. In the UK, KPMG has over 10,000 partners and staff in 22 offices.

Staff must supply sector-specific advice

The organisations’s clients come from a huge range of different sectors, ranging from automotive to media, pharmaceuticals and transport. KPMG prides itself on the expertise of its employees, ensuring it utilises sector-specific knowledge when dealing with clients so they can provide directly relevant rather than generalist advice. Published on its website are the results of global business surveys and reports, attesting to the importance it places on in-depth knowledge and expertise.

Audit

Graduates interested in audit enter either the audit programme, dealing with private clients, or the public sector audit programme.

Tax

Tax is divided into company-focused services – such as corporate tax, indirect tax and legal services – and people-focused services, including private client advice and employer consulting & compliance. There is also a pensions service line.

Advisory

Advisory services at KPMG, the major growth area for the organisation, are also divided up into three separate segments: performance & technology, transaction & restructuring and risk & compliance.

Graduates interested in audit enter either the audit programme, dealing with private clients, or the public sector audit programme.

Of note is the annual KPMG International Case Competition, which selects one team of students from each of 30 participating countries (6,000 students from over 300 universities enter) to compete in a business strategy competition. The host for 2012 will be Hong King. Asia Pacific is a focus for the firm’s market share expansion.

Clients have included:

  • BAE Systems
  • Cineworld Group PLC
  • Global Petroleum Ltd
  • AstraZenica
  • Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC
  • Scottish and Southern Energy PLC
  • Moneysupermarket.com Group PLC
  • JPMorgan Private Equity Ltd
  • Fidessa Group PLC
  • Alexon (fashion group)
  • Nationwide

Awards and rankings

  • Graduate employer of the year, TARGETjobs Awards 2012
  • Ranked 3 in Times UK Top 100 Graduate Employers, 2011-2012
  • Ranked 5 in Universum’s Ideal Employer, 2011
  • Ranked 22 in Vault Accounting 50, 2011
  • Ranked 22 in Guardian UK 300, 2011
  • Ranked 94 in Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, 2012.
  • Global Firm of the year, British Accountancy Awards, 2010 and 2011
  • Audit award of the year, British Accountancy Awards, 2011
  • Community award of the year, British Accountancy Awards, 2011
  • Top Employer Award for Innovation, Workingmums.co.uk, 2010
  • Listed as one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Women, 2012

Insights and facts

  • KPMG has launched aeorinv.com (an aircraft parts ecommerce business), the first global business to be launched within an administration
  • KPMG predicts Shanghai will become a strong global financial centre within the next 10 years.
  • KPMG reports that e-crime is on the rise, and c.40% of businesses are not aware of key areas where they may be vulnerable to this.
  • KPMG has appointed a new global head of Islamic finance, indicating that the firm is taking a strong interest in this growing field.

Why work here?

  • Wide variety of client exposure
  • The majority of KPMG’s staff successfully pass their professional qualifications exams first time – far ahead of the industry average
  • Generous flexible benefits package

Employer insights are written by independent experts with job candidates in mind, helping you research and understand employers.
Copyright of all material written for Employer insights lies solely with GTI Media.

Recruiting now