Amy Austin talks to a range of apprentices, school leavers and graduates across a range of accounting firms about the struggles of studying whilst working, why university is not always the answer, and where they see themselves in the future
Joao Albuquerque, KPMG
Audit assistant (apprentice), London
‘I knew from the start that I didn’t want to go to university so when it got to the time of year when everyone started their applications, my college helped me look for an apprenticeship instead. KPMG stood out among the firms because of their rotational apprenticeship programme. At KPMG you rotate between audit, tax and advisory, whereas the other Big Four firms make you choose a specific service line when applying for their apprenticeships.
‘I have always wanted to work in accountancy but I was unsure about which sector I would like the most and be best suited to. The fact that KPMG allows its apprentices to have a go at all three and then choose at the end is what drew me to the firm.
