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Anna is an Audit Trainee at BDO in Birmingham, where she’s been making strides in her career for over a year. Her role involves a mix of office work and site visits, allowing her to collaborate closely with her team and the audited entities. Anna’s passion for problem-solving and her proactive approach to balancing tasks have been key to her success. She’s also taken advantage of BDO’s extensive support and training opportunities, which have helped her grow both professionally and personally.

Can you describe a typical day in your role at BDO?

Most days of the week, I attend the office or an audited entity site so that I can work collaboratively with my team. As a junior team member, you tend to change projects every few weeks, so working in person with your team is a great opportunity to develop a better understanding of each project and get to know colleagues and their working styles. I complete various areas of the audit file, applying knowledge from my ACA studies, and all team members are happy to coach me through any new and complex areas. There may be meetings to attend throughout the day either with your team to catch up or the audited entity to comb through any queries (these can be on Teams or in person).

What do you enjoy most about your daily routine at BDO?

I enjoy how collaborative the job is. There are lots of opportunities to engage in discussions with your team and the audited entity. While we work hard, it is always nice to get to know people on a personal level, especially before/after work or at lunchtimes. I enjoy problem-solving, which is a useful skill in auditing. Whether it is getting to know the audited entity in the planning phase or working out some testing in the execution phase, there is plenty of opportunity to apply this skill day-to-day.

How do you balance your work tasks throughout the day?

It is useful to contact the Manager a week or so prior to being booked on a project to set expectations so that I can ensure my work allocation is sensible going into a booking. A lot of Managers create a project plan listing allocations and expected time for each task, so I refer to this. Along with the project plan, I check in with my Seniors throughout the booking to discuss priorities so that I can create a personal to-do list from this.

How has BDO supported your career progression so far?

BDO sets Graduates up for success from day one. I completed several residential training courses (Open Door 1 & 2 and Starting Out Strong) throughout my first year to ensure my practical knowledge was up to scratch for my day-to-day job. This complemented the knowledge picked up from my ACA studies. I was encouraged to attend a Success Conversation with an Audit Manager towards the end of my first year too, which was an open conversation to support my career progression at BDO.

What opportunities for advancement have you experienced at BDO?

During my probationary period, I attended monthly meetings with my People Manager. We discussed my project bookings in these meetings to ensure my experience was varied and interesting, particularly during my first year. My People Manager and other Managers are always open to discuss my portfolio. I have been fully supported to pursue my passions alongside the audit job itself. This involved becoming a Peer Group Leader (collecting feedback from my audit trainee peers to pass onto senior colleagues to action), training as a Mental Health First Aider, and becoming involved in a few Early in Career events.

How do you see your career developing at BDO in the future?

My experience at BDO has been broad because I have been supported in pursuing other passions (eg becoming a Peer Group Leader, Mental Health First Aider, and attending Early in Career events) as well as the day-to-day audit job. These opportunities have strengthened my audit knowledge and transferable skills. As a result, I have become a better auditor and grown to enjoy the job more. Equally, I am opening my options to potentially be more involved with the training, coaching or Early in Careers side of BDO audit. I am confident that BDO will support my career path.

Anna’s journey at BDO is a testament to the firm’s commitment to nurturing talent and providing a supportive environment for career growth. Her experiences, from becoming a Peer Group Leader to training as a Mental Health First Aider, highlight the diverse opportunities available at BDO. Anna’s story shows how BDO’s collaborative and dynamic work culture can help individuals develop their skills and pursue their passions, setting a strong foundation for a successful career.

Let’s have a chat with David; an Audit Graduate at BDO, based in Glasgow. Here, he shares his experiences and insights into the role he’s doing, the Unifying Culture, and his career progression at BDO. Want to get a glimpse into the life of an audit professional and the supportive environment at BDO? Read on!

Hi David, let’s get right into it – what is it that you actually do?

Hi! So, my typical day is usually filled with trying to produce the best quality audit work I can. That’s the simplest way of saying that quality is one of the most important things here. When I’m not doing this, my day is filled with team meetings and catch-ups, calls with the audited entity to go over some audit evidence that may be a little tricky, and of course, a few well-deserved coffee breaks! It’s important at BDO to destress with my colleagues and talk about some non-work stuff; that’s the collaboration we get every day.

Sounds like a decent set up. But what do you enjoy most about your daily routine?

Easily, it’s the people. Whether it's my colleagues or the entity contacts, it's really great having so many good relationships where I can learn and grow as an auditor and build professional connections.

That being said, to-do lists are my best friend! Setting out a plan for the week ahead and keeping my diary updated makes dealing with the day-to-day stresses a little easier. Plus, it's always a good feeling when you get to score something off that list!

You must have had the opportunity to work with a variety of businesses as a trainee then?

In the Scotland offices, the opportunities are vast as we don’t specialise in a particular field. I’ve worked all the way from small charities to hotel chains as well as construction entities. There really is the scope to get a bit of everything!

For example, I was involved in an audit of a manufacturing company that needed a large adjustment to the revenue balance in the accounts. This involved some close consultation with the financial standards and some heated discussions with the entity who, of course, didn’t want their revenue to be reduced! However, we successfully made the adjustment, and it was nice to see my work lead to something that actually made a difference in a set of accounts that will be published.

Wow, that’s pretty big. So how has the variety of work at BDO helped your skills develop?

To be honest, there’s so much variety; it exposes me to a lot of different accounting concepts and challenges as no two jobs are the same. It’s also great to give me differing levels of competence within accounting teams. For instance, a small charity won’t have the same level of experienced staff as your larger corporations.

And what about your work-life balance; how do you manage that?

As with any job, there are ebbs and flows depending on what your calendar looks like. Some days you will be out the door straight away, but at times it can be very challenging with some days or engagements requiring longer hours and harder work. That’s the reality of this work, but it’s balanced by the great people here and the reward of seeing your hard work come to life.

We have good incentives which allow you to keep money in your pocket and feel valued as an employee for the job I’m doing. I also look forward to the start of our financial year so I can buy additional days through our rewards programme! There are also always people to talk with, whether that is your people manager, partners, or just our colleagues that are at the same (or more senior!) level as you. They all try to help where possible!

What’s all this about BDO’s Unifying Culture then? What does that mean?

I’ll say it again: the people at BDO are great. You’ll always have a direct line to your people manager who you can express any concerns to. You’ll be surrounded by people going through the same experience as you, who I have always found very helpful to lean on for support and guidance. Outside of work, BDO has a good social scene, which I have to say as I am the head of the Glasgow social committee! It's great to be part of a work environment where the atmosphere allows for us to spend time together and have fun outside of working hours. I think it greatly reflects on the good connections you make while here.

That for me is an integral part of the BDO culture.

Great to hear. So what about recognition; where have you seen this in action?

Recently, I participated in a bit of extra work for the firm that involved checking in with and keeping up to date with our incoming batch of graduates, as well as helping organise the office induction day and tour. As a result of this going well, I was put forward to present to all the incoming graduates at Wembley Stadium during their induction week. This was great for me as I knew my work had been recognised by receiving this additional amazing opportunity.

You must be thinking ahead to your future career though. How has BDO that so far?

Firstly, I’m given time and space to study for my professional exams when they come around. This allows me to progress through my professional qualification, which will set me up for life. BDO has also allowed me to stretch and take on challenging audit sections on tough audits as well as trusting me to speak with entity staff. I have never felt held back during my time here, and if anything, I feel as though you are constantly pushed to improve throughout your training contract.

During my training contract, I’d seen a set path to follow with progression at every point. After that, I’ve seen internal promotions around me, giving me hope for the future, as well as people being seconded abroad for work, which is also a very enticing prospect.

Experiencing another culture? Yes please! Where do you see your career developing then?

Personally, I see myself becoming a qualified CA through my time at BDO, then hopefully take advantage of the secondment opportunities that BDO has so I can mix my career progression with my want to see some more of the world!

The good news is that in the audit profession, our roles will always be required. I see BDO taking proactive steps to keep the business growing, such as taking on new audited entities with bigger fees and more complex accounting areas. It’s these steps that make me confident that BDO is here to stay, and I will have a place here in the future.

The audit qualification and becoming a Charted Accountant really is a gateway to many opportunities for you and sets you up for the future. Whether this is allowing you to progress within audit, or move around to other teams, the quality of jobs you are able to shoot for vastly improves with this qualification behind you. Not to mention the obvious pay bump that comes with being a qualified professional, which in these cost-of-living times is a real bonus!

OK, wind the clock back then. What attracted you to apply for a role at BDO?

BDO puts a huge value on their employees, and that drew me to apply for BDO; it seemed like an environment where I could thrive. Furthermore, the fact that BDO's interview process was more about you as a person rather than a lot of computer competence tests really seemed to back up the fact that they cared more about the individual.

In terms of the application process, my advice would be to just be yourself; the process here is a lot less quizzical and maths-based compared to other firms, and it will really give you an opportunity to show who you are right off the bat. So don’t be afraid to let your personality show during the process!

So there you have it; David's journey at BDO, showing how he’s felt like he can be himself, enjoy the coffee catchups, experience challenging projects and all the while aim for a qualified position. From the variety of work and opportunities for career progression to the strong emphasis on work-life balance and well-being, BDO provides a platform for growth and development. David's experiences reflect the firm's commitment to its employees, making it a great place to build a career in audit.

Let’s talk to Clara, an Audit Trainee in the London audit team at BDO. Here, she shares her experiences and insights into her role, the supportive culture at BDO, and how the firm helps her balance work and study. It’s really an insight into life as an early career employee here. Clara's life at BDO showcase the importance of a friendly work environment and the benefits of earning while learning.

Morning Clara! So, what’s a typical day for you at BDO like?

Hi there! On a typical day, I make sure to get in early for the free breakfast at Fibs, our on-site canteen. They’ve got everything from granola and fresh pastries to a full English breakfast. I usually sit and eat with my fellow trainees, then we grab a coffee and head upstairs to start work. My day involves checking responses from the audited entity I’m working with, setting up calls with them and my team for any queries, and completing audit work. I go into the office most days because it’s super helpful to communicate face to face and socialise with the other trainees.

That sounds pretty fun. What do you enjoy most about your daily routine?

Honestly, it’s going to the office and spending time with the other trainees! Everyone is so supportive, which makes starting out at a new company way less daunting. If we ever have any problems, everyone’s happy to help, whether it’s an audit task someone else has done before or reminders about qualification admin. Moving to London and not knowing many people was tough, but having such a sociable intake made settling in a lot easier.

How do you keep everything balanced throughout the day?

I use a work tracker for the audit I’m on, so it’s easy to see what info I have and what’s still outstanding with the audited entity. This helps me plan my day clearly. Plus, when I’m waiting for information, I message my team to see if I can help anyone else. Having a close-knit team really helps with that!

You’ve talked about balance, but how do you manage that with your personal life as well?

The work-life balance at BDO is pretty unique. Being a large audit firm that pays for overtime and TOIL is a big plus! Busy season means longer hours, but it’s great to know my hard work is recognised. Not only do I get paid for overtime, but teams also give out lifestyle awards if they see you going above and beyond. BDO also sends out bulletins with advice on staying active and supporting mental wellbeing. And when you have exams, you’re given time to study as well as complete your work. Everyone’s been in the same position, so they get it.

What makes BDO a friendly place to work?

BDO’s culture is super supportive and friendly. Outside of audit work, there are loads of opportunities to socialise. We’ve got sports teams like Hockey and Football where we play against other firms. There are also societies for different religions and communities where you can join as a member or an ally to learn about different cultures. In my first year, I was part of the trainee group committee, planning socials throughout the year. We had a blast at Boom Battle Bar in Oxford Street. One of my fellow trainees even set up a football club, and we had a few friendly games at nearby pitches. Activities like these are great for meeting people outside the office and getting to know them better.

How does BDO support your well-being and work-life balance?

BDO provides a supportive environment where you can voice any external issues that might affect your work. Within the trainee group committee, we get to talk about any issues we’re having or have heard among the trainees. They listen and value our opinions on what could be improved. We also had a step competition during busy season to encourage us to stay active, even when we’re spending more time at our desks.

Getting those qualifications must be tough. How has BDO supported you in getting there?

BDO has been great in supporting me while I get my professional qualification. I get study leave to complete course content, extra days off for exam retakes, and my team lets me set boundaries on my working hours if I have an exam coming up. The supportive environment helps alleviate some of the stress that comes with exams. Everyone’s been in the same boat, so they’re happy to give tips on how they managed. Having a large and sociable intake means I always have a helping hand if I’m struggling with exam content.

What benefits have you experienced from earning while you learn at BDO?

Working while getting my qualification has been a great balance of real-world work experience and studying at college with fellow trainees. I’ve developed soft skills like communication and professional scepticism and applied on-the-job experiences to my exams. My seniors are always happy to teach me not only how to carry out my audit tasks but also the reasoning behind them to develop my accounting knowledge.

How do you feel your qualifications will help you in your future career?

Getting my ACA is a fantastic way to start my career. It’s a well-respected qualification, and everyone appreciates the time and dedication it takes to obtain. Whether I stay in audit or move into a different sector, the qualification is versatile and teaches you a deep understanding of how businesses work. It also ensures you’re learning and demonstrating soft skills like leadership and problem-solving.

There you have it; an experience from one of our audit trainees which showcase the Unifying Culture at BDO. Her time at BDO has been spent enjoying the team around her, meeting new people, experiencing new skills (technical and more!) and presenting her with opportunities for professional development which make a significant difference in one's career. Clara's story is a testament to the benefits of earning while learning and the value of a well-rounded approach to professional growth.