About BDO

BDO is one of the UK’s largest Accountancy and Business Advisory firms providing Audit, Advisory, Tax and Business Services & Outsourcing services to clients all over the world. When the most entrepreneurial and high-growth businesses need advice on accountancy and business, they turn to BDO.

Their Purpose

BDO is driven by their core purpose – helping you succeed. Their purpose reflects how they work with their clients to achieve their business goals, it underpins the learning and development framework that supports their people, and it is a key ingredient of their entrepreneurial and innovative culture. BDOs purpose is the reason to look forward to the future with a sense of confidence and ambition.

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Life at BDO

 

BDO Skills Session

  • An application can take time, energy and thought to prepare.

    You’ll need to detail your academic background, work experience and extracurricular activities. This is an opportunity for BDO to learn more about you. They are interested in what you’ve done, but even more interested in what you do well and enjoy. Please check BDOs eligibility criteria in FAQs before starting your application.

    Tips for applying online

    • Answer each question fully and correctly. Present clear evidence that you have the kind of qualities and skills they’re looking for.

    • Share any information you think would be helpful for them to know, but don’t exaggerate; keep everything factual.

    • Keep to the suggested word limits. Accurate, concise answers are generally better received.

    • Save your application regularly – you don’t have to complete it all at once.

    • Like with everything you write, check grammar and spelling, and get someone else to proofread your application before you submit.

    • You might want to print a copy of your application – in case you want to refer to it again.

    Once you’ve submitted your application, BDO will send you an email to let you know they have received it. You can then track your application by logging back into their system at any time.

    Give yourself the best chance to succeed in the online tests

    • Sit in a quiet room where you won't be disturbed. Have everything you might need to hand – pen, paper, calculator etc. Practise! Using the practice tests will help you prepare. Click here to find out more.

    How BDO assess you

    • BDO will look at your core competencies, technical competencies, values and attitude. In essence, what you do and how you do it. They know that certain attributes and behaviours are critical to success at BDO, and during the recruitment process they will assess you against them:

    Business thinking

    • Understanding the business strategy and goals and being aware of the pressures, threats and opportunities for the firm. Using this insight to drive and achieve results.

    Communicating

    • Understanding, creating and sharing information with others in a clear and concise way that suits the audience and achieves the desired result.

    Decision making

    • Using reasoned approaches and agreed processes to choose a course of action to reach a suitable conclusion, achieve a desired result and minimise risk whilst doing so.

    Developing yourself and others

    • Showing commitment to your own development, and supporting and encouraging others to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviour to enable everyone to reach their full potential and perform for the wider benefit of the firm.

    Collaborating

    • Willingly work with others in a way that is mutually beneficial, delivers exceptional service and achieves business goals. Creating and sustaining a culture of forming alliances and pooling resources for the benefit of the firm and its clients.

    Innovating and change

    • Thinking creatively, generating new ideas and approaches, seeking opportunities that will benefit the firm and its clients; adapting to changing needs, and accepting new and different ways of working.

  • Set the scene

    • Dress as you would for a normal interview. Keep any notes far away so that you are not tempted to read them when answering questions. Keep an eye on the time so that you don’t run over.

    Think your answers through

    • We need to understand what you’re good at. That’s why BDO use a competency-based interview as part of our selection process. This means they will ask you to tell them about what you’ve done before; specific experiences that will show them a Situation, Task, Action and Result. It’s called the STAR approach.

    Give examples of your skills

    • We need to know who you are and what you’re capable of. Figure out which skills and behaviours may be important to do well in the role you’re applying for. It may help to think in terms of overcoming a problem or responding to a particular set of circumstances.

    • Good real-world examples of these include: managing projects; interacting with people; influencing a difficult audience; analysing data. Whichever scenario you choose, focus on the part you played and what skills or attributes you used.

    Think ahead to your future

    • You will think outside the box and have a vision beyond the role you're applying for. Let them know about the ways in which you’d like to grow within BDO. Do your research and find out what kind of career path you can expect to take, or what training they have to offer to grow your specialist skills. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of a career with BDO.

    Tips for the video interview:

    • Be yourself. BDO want to get to know the real you. Relax and answer the questions as honestly and openly as you can.

    • Speak clearly and concisely, sharing as much information as you wish.

    • Listen to the question carefully (there are also subtitles if you prefer). The candidates that perform the best are careful about responding to the question asked – rather than giving answers they may have pre-prepared. As with all interviews, you won’t be allowed to go back and change your responses.

    If you are successful, the next stage of the recruitment process is BDOs Assessment Centre.

  • Do your research

    • Take some time to find out more about BDO. This will help you to think about any questions you’d like them to answer. There’s a wealth of information out there about BDO. This will tell you what other people think. Together, all of this information will build your own personal picture of what BDO are like and whether they’re the right employer for you.

    Dressing for a face-to-face interview

    • BDO may offer Agile and home working, but a professional appearance is always important.

    Work together as a group

    • How you collaborate with others says a lot about how you’ll blend into BDOs united culture.

    Ensure presentations cover all the set objectives

    • Make sure spelling and grammar are correct.

    Stand out from the crowd.

    • Be different, be unique, be authentic, but most of all, be yourself.

    Ask them questions

    • This is an opportunity for you to learn about the role and understand which areas you would like to explore further. Prepare questions ahead of your assessment but also ensure you ask questions based on the discussion with your adviser, so you really understand the role and BDO.

 
 

  • Apart from permanent vacancies, what other options do you offer?

    BDO understand that the world of work is changing and that more people than ever are now looking at different ways of working.

    They regularly offer opportunities on a more flexible basis, including;

    1. Casual Worker contracts (inside IR35)

    2. Consultancy engagements (outside IR35)

    3. Temp (PAYE) engagements


    I’m interested in being considered for a contracting role, what do I do next?

    BDO often fill most of these roles quickly, so the easiest way to register your interest is to contact the Non-Payroll team: npl@bdo.co.uk

    Please advise the areas of the business you are most interested in and the specialist skills you can bring. They will be in touch should they have any opportunities that match your skill set.


    Do you provide reasonable adjustments for your recruitment process?

    BDO is a disability-confident organisation and wants to ensure all candidates are provided equal opportunity for success during the recruitment process. If you require adjustments to be made during your assessments or interviews, please enter a description of any specific requirements in your application or contact their recruitment team at experiencedhireteam@bdo.co.uk or earlyincareer@bdo.co.uk


    Would I ever be asked for payments from BDO?

    Please note that neither BDO nor any of the organisations that recruit on our behalf will ever ask for any payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process. All individuals who are offered employment with BDO, are always required to go through a formal recruitment process.

    There are several things you need to watch out for. Fraudulent recruitment activities often include the following:

    • Requiring money from applicants (e.g. for ‘visa fees’, taxes, a percentage of travel expenses)

    • Unrealistic compensation-and benefits packages

    • Requesting personal information such as passport and bank account details at an early stage of the process

    • Sending emails from free web-based email accounts such as Yahoo, Gmail, Hotmail or Live.com

    • Using poorly formatted documentation

    If you suspect a recruitment fraud, we recommend that you do not respond to unsolicited business propositions and/or offers from people with whom you are unfamiliar. If you ever have doubts regarding the legitimacy of any communications or any other information relating to BDO, please email your concern or question to experiencedhireteam@bdo.co.uk.

    Include contact information so that we may communicate with you directly if necessary.

    BDO take recruitment fraud very seriously. We thank you in advance for taking the time to inform us; it is much appreciated.

  • How will BDO support my wellbeing?

    BDO aim to create a positive working environment and way of working where people can thrive, are happy and each bring their best self to work. Advice on practising BDO’s 5 Ways of Wellbeing – Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, Give – can be found on the Welcome Portal, along with other health and wellbeing support.


    What is the culture like at BDO?

    BDO’s Unifying culture is fundamental to its success. They take pride in their inclusive and empowering culture that encourages people to be themselves, work together and deliver exceptional client service to achieve their potential.


    What societies/networks can I get involved in at BDO?

    Everyone at BDO has 10 paid days a year to devote to sharing time and skills with the community. This is done in a structured way – known as 5+5 – so it’s collaborative and sociable. Five days can be used for personal volunteering, fundraising, team giving and BDO-sponsored activities – BDO call them action days. Five further days are called strategic days – where people can use their professional skillsets to really make a difference.

    BDO has a number of networks representing and promoting the interests of different communities within the BDO workforce. These include: BLEND (their LGBTQ+ network), BDO Inspire (their women’s network), Islamic Network, Jewish Network and CEDAR (Celebrating Ethnic Diversity and Races) Network.

  • I am not from the UK, can I apply to work at BDO?

    School leaver
    Due to the minimum salary requirements, BDO unfortunately is unable to provide visa sponsorship for our School Leaver programmes.

    Internships
    Unfortunately, BDO is not able to sponsor work visas for internships. However, if you are in full-time education in the UK, depending on your educational sponsor, you may be able to take up temporary work either as part of your studies or during your holiday period in accordance with The UK Home Office rules.

    You would be required to provide BDO with a schedule of your term times to prove you are working in accordance with your visa conditions.

    To check your eligibility to work in the UK please visit the UK Government Home Office website for further information by clicking here.

    Graduate Roles
    You are able to apply to BDOs vacancies but you and the role you are applying for must meet the UK Government Home Office visa eligibility criteria for a skilled worker visa, and you should check this before you apply for a career with BDO, by clicking here.

    The UK Government Home Office rules determine which graduate roles are eligible for sponsorship. BDO are unable to support sponsorship for any other Early Career roles due to the salary benchmark required.

    The roles BDO can sponsor are:

    • Graduate programmes in Business Assurance or Advisory for all locations.

    • Tax graduate programmes in London, Reading, Cambridge, Ipswich, Gatwick or Guildford.

    The UK Government Home Office changes its immigration rules from time to time and, in such instances, BDO will be required to process your application in line with the rules that apply at the time of your application.

    BDO work with a team of specialist immigration providers who will process your application and keep you updated throughout.


    Experienced Professionals

    BDO welcomes applications from all candidates, however, there are some UK Government restrictions on who they can sponsor, so please check the below before you apply.

    Whilst there are some exemptions, there is a minimum salary requirement to qualify for a skilled worker visa which will enable you to work within the UK.

    If you are unsure whether the role you are interested in will qualify for sponsorship, please contact BDOs team at experienced.hire@bdo.co.uk, who will be able to provide some guidance.

    For more information on the UK Government Restrictions, please visit here.


    Can I apply if I am from the Philippines?

    Candidates considering a relocation from the Philippines must be able to produce a Processing of Overseas Employment Certificate (POEC) at the point of application.


    I completed my studies outside of the UK. How can I tell if I am eligible to make an application?

    You can verify your international qualifications using the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC). You will be responsible for the cost of translating them before you apply. Click here to find out more.

  • What does the application process involve?

    You will be required to sit and pass BDOs online assessment and video interview. You will then be asked to complete their application form. The final stage is their virtual assessment centre where you will be told on the day if you are successful in joining BDO.


    Can I apply to more than one programme or office location?
    When you submit your application, BDO ask you to select two roles. You cannot submit a second application.


    If I am unsuccessful at any stage of the process, when can I reapply?

    You may only make one application per season, and there must be a minimum of six months between your applications.

  • If I am invited to complete the interactive assessment, how can I prepare for this?

    Click here to practice questions for the interactive assessment. If your application is successful, BDO will send you the information you need for the next stage of the assessment process. If you have any special requirements, please get in touch with BDO.


    What happens if my computer crashes half-way through a test?

    Don’t panic! All you need to do is log back in; the system will let you carry on from where you were. If you encounter further technical hitches please screenshot the page you are on and email earlyincareer@bdo.co.uk and they will be in touch to help resolve the problem.


    Why do I have to do an assessment?

    BDO ask you to sit their assessment so they can assess your suitability for their programmes. BDO also want to make sure the role would be a right fit for you.


    Does BDO offer any work experience?

    BDO does not offer work experience as such, but they do have a Summer Internship and Insight Days, which provide an opportunity for you to get to know the firm. You can find out more about these here.

    ____________________________

    EARLY CAREERS ASSESSMENT CENTRE

    Where are the assessment centres held?
    All of BDOs assessment centres are held virtually and will take place over a morning or afternoon session.

    Can I choose what assessment centre I attend?
    Yes, BDO will give you the available dates and you can choose the date that is suitable.


    When are the assessment centres taking place?
    BDO will be running assessment centres from October through to December.


    What should I do if I can no longer attend my assessment centre?
    Please contact your recruiter as soon as you can to let them know. They can advise if an alternative date would be available to you.

    How will I find out if I am offered a role after the assessment centre?
    You will called with the good news by the early careers team. You will then receive your paper work in to your Workday portal within 10 days.

  • What time of year do your programmes start?
    BDO traditionally have two main intakes for Graduates and School Leavers – September and January (please note that not all offices have both intakes). This ties in with the start of the professional qualification course start-dates. Please speak to your recruiter when going through the application process if you have a question around start dates.


    Are BDOs programmes rotational?
    No, BDO do not offer a rotation to other areas or offices.


    Can I work in other BDO offices?
    This is dependent on the business needs. We recommend being open and honest with your People Manager if you have an interest in working in another office or internationally.


    Who will support me while I am on the programme?
    BDO have a dedicated professional qualification team who will support you every step of the way along with your People Manager.


    Am I allowed to apply to more than one programme or office location?
    BDO ask candidates to apply to the programme and office location that interests them the most. You can apply to one programme per year, but you do get the option to enter a second-choice office location in case your first choice is no longer available.

  • Can I apply if I am a part-qualified accountant?
    Yes, but please bear in mind, you must submit your previous exam transcripts for BDO to determine whether you are eligible for their programmes. If you’ve had any relevant previous employment experience you may wish to consider going through the experienced hire route at BDO. Unfortunately, BDO cannot accept your application for their graduate and apprenticeship programmes if you are already qualified.


    What qualification will I be gaining while working for BDO?
    Depending on the stream you work for BDO will set the qualification you work towards.

    For graduate programmes BDO support the following qualifications:

    • ICAS

    • CTA

    • ACA

    • ACCA

    • ICAEW

    • ICAS

    • CISA

    To find out more information about what qualifications you can study for at BDO, visit here.

  • Is the offer with BDO just for the training period, or will BDO offer me a long-term career?
    Whether you apply for the graduate or school leaver programme, once you are accepted you are a permanent employee. Gaining your qualifications is just the start: you can look forward to a long, varied and exciting career.

    Will the study be more challenging than what I have experienced to date?
    Yes, this will be a step up from previous studies you have undertaken at school, college or university as you will need to balance work and study. However, there is plenty of support available to ensure you are successful.

    What support will I have to manage studies and working at the same time?
    A People Manager in your department at BDO will support your performance, development and progression. You will also be assigned a buddy who has followed a similar study path to you, and so can offer first-hand advice and tips. Additionally, BDOs dedicated Professional Qualifications (PQ) team are always there to help you and answer any questions.

    Is there face-to-face tuition or is it online and self-managed learning?
    You’ll learn through a blend of face-to-face tuition and self-directed study via specialist online learning platforms. BDO use only industry-leading tuition providers, so all tuition, however it is delivered, is of the highest quality.

    Will I need to travel for my induction/college/training?
    Each BDO office has been aligned to a local or regional tuition provider. In some instances, travel may be required to access face-to-face tuition. For those joining the Audit or Tax practice, there may be some offsite departmental training. Details of any travel or accommodation for departmental induction training will be advised via the Welcome Portal.


    If I am eligible to apply for exam exemptions, how do I go about this?
    You may be able to apply for exemptions. Look at the relevant institute’s Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) directory to find out more. Please also check the Welcome Portal as BDO may require you to take some examinations even if you have an exemption.

 

Please note that our Partner Opportunities are external and that the information provided on this page has been collated from BDO through here. For Enactus UK’s policy on our promotion of opportunities from third-parties please refer to the disclaimers page on our website here: https://enactusuk.org/disclaimers.