The trainees, which join the firm’s 8,000 strong workforce across its four core business areas – audit, tax, deals and consulting, risk & outsourcing (CRO) – are a combination of school leaver apprentices, university graduates and students undertaking a 12-month industrial placement. Over half are based in regions outside of London.

In their first week, the trainees are attending a two-day induction at Wembley Stadium where they’ll gain insight into the firm’s culture and values, while also having the opportunity to network and collaborate with their new colleagues. The programme begins with a welcome from BDO UK managing partner Mark Shaw and head of people, culture & purpose, Anna Draper.

Martin Gill, regional managing partner in Scotland at BDO, said: “Welcoming our new cohort of trainees to the region is a highlight of the year. Our success has always been built on people with ambition and curiosity.

“This new group of trainees brings all of that and more. I am excited to see the impact they’ll have on our firm, our clients and Scottish communities.”

BDO is now in its fifth year of delivering targeted insight programmes as part of its commitment to increasing diversity and improving social mobility within the profession. It is a founding member of Access Accountancy.

This year the firm’s Explore BDO programme, designed specifically for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, saw a 75% increase in headcount, with 56 students from years 12-13 taking part UK wide. 

An additional 42 young people – a combination of year 12-13 students and university students – attended a Northern-specific lower socio-economic insight programme in the Leeds office this summer. Furthermore, numbers for BDO’s Black Heritage Programme, designed for second year university students, more than doubled this year with 43 students attending.

Martin Gill added: “As our insight and work experience programmes continue to grow and evolve, we know they are having a tremendous impact in making the accountancy profession more accessible across the region. Year on year, we’re seeing an increasing number of students from these programmes progressing onto the trainee pathway.

“Social mobility is a strategic area of focus at BDO. We are passionate about improving access to the profession and we have some brilliant online programmes to support this too. In the last year, we’ve seen 4,500 young people sign up to our virtual work experience site and a further 2,000 active users on our online engagement platform. These initiatives help us access a broader pool of people and improve social mobility, diversity and inclusion, both in the profession and in society generally.”

Dani Trickett, an audit trainee, joined BDO’s apprenticeship programme in 2022 and is due to qualify in 2026.

She said: “During school, I never knew accountancy apprenticeships existed. It wasn’t until I began researching my options that I came across them. There is so much information and guidance given to young students looking to go to university, but that path isn’t right for everyone.

“For me, the first-hand experience you get through an apprenticeship is so beneficial to understanding the technical aspects of a profession like accountancy. Working, alongside studying, towards my qualification has given me a wide range of skills, from being able to problem-solve through to understanding a business’ needs.

“My advice to someone thinking about an apprenticeship in accountancy would be that the hard work that goes into your studies is worth the rewards you get from it. The network you build around you is invaluable to helping you succeed.”