Careers at KPMG
There are several routes into employment with KPMG, depending on your level of education and experience.
For those who are looking to learn while they earn, KPMG offers apprenticeships. These are available in Audit, Business Services and with the Digital Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship.
Discovery Work Experience offers an insight into the roles at KPMG for those looking for some direction in their future.
If you are an undergraduate, roles at KPMG might include the One Year Business Placement (as part of your degree), as well as insight and vacation programmes.
The graduate scheme offered by KPMG is the most popular route to employment for potential candidates. You can choose from the following business areas:
- Audit
- Consulting
- Deal Advisory
- Business Services
- Tax & Law
- Technology & Engineering
If you are already an experienced professional in accounting services that has key competencies, you can apply for roles in the major business areas, or become part of the contractor team.
KPMG Application Process
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1
Online Application
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2
Transforming Small Businesses
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3
Delivering Outcomes
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4
Critical Thinker
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5
Virtual Launch Pad
The KPMG assessment process is very structured, with almost every application following the same process to make sure it is equal.
To start with, you need to fill in an online application form with some basic details about you, your education and your experience.
If your online application is accepted, you will then take a series of online aptitude tests, combining situational judgement tests, numerical tests and verbal tests, as well as behavioural tests. Each online assessment needs to be passed for you to be invited to the next stage, with clearly defined timescales.
The final stage of the process to get your dream job is a full assessment day – known as the Launch Pad – which is currently administered virtually.
Throughout the recruitment process, it is important to bear in mind the 11 Key Behavioural Qualities that KPMG seeks in all its employees, and make sure you are demonstrating them wherever you can. There’s more detail on these at the end of this article.
Online application form
The online application is much like any other; you need to provide personal details, contact information and your education and experience. The basic application requirements are:
- Maths and English GCSE – at least a B (Grade 5/6 in the new system)
- 3 A-Levels (or equivalent)
- 2:1 Undergraduate degree in any discipline (predicted or actual)
There is space for you to provide details of any mitigating circumstances that might mean you haven’t reached the academic qualifications necessary, and these will be taken into account.
You are also able to record any relevant work experience or previous professional qualifications that might support your application.
The application form is assessed against the entry criteria before any progression through the process. You can only apply once every application cycle (usually once a year).
Be thorough and take your time. Answer accurately and with integrity, so that you can demonstrate your suitability for the role and make it simple for the recruitment team to put you through to the next round.
KPMG Assessments
KPMG Transforming Small Businesses Online Assessment
KPMG assessments look slightly different from other aptitude tests that you might take because they don’t have separate ‘papers’ for each type. Instead of sitting a situational judgement test, a verbal reasoning test, a logic test and all the others, KPMG has created a scenario-based assessment.
The first part of this assessment is titled ‘Transforming Small Businesses’. You will be provided with information in the form of videos, podcasts, articles, voicemails and emails, which you are expected to use to help you form answers to the various questions.
The scenario provides an experiential assessment that is a journey into working life at KPMG, with a fictional but realistic narrative.
In the KPMG Transforming Small Businesses online assessment, you will be evaluated on how you respond to scenarios, using the information given. This will include situational judgment as well as verbal and numerical reasoning skills. You will be able to find sample questions online to prepare.
You will be able to complete this at home, and it is an untimed test. KPMG has suggested that this will take around 90 minutes, and it is better to complete it in one sitting. It needs to be completed within five calendar days.
After this part of the assessment, you will receive a Strength Report. This will show your top two strengths as well as two less developed areas, with tips and practical advice to help you improve.
This personalised report is not linked to the assessment in any way, but is useful to provide you with more information on how you can work on your weaknesses.
If you are successful in the first assessment, you will be invited to take the second.