Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has welcomed 20 new trainees with a further 25 roles available to start later in 2021.
BDO’s North West team welcomed its 2020 cohort in November compromising both graduates and apprentices.
The new joiners took part in virtual inductions while BDO’s workforce continues to work remotely as a result of COVID-19.
Applications are now open for trainee roles starting in 2021, with the majority of trainees able to undertake a level-7 apprenticeship programme - a qualification equivalent to a master’s degree. More than 80% of new trainees in the North West will be recruited to BDO’s audit department, demonstrating continued investment in its audit practice.
In addition to this, last summer BDO hosted its first ever ‘virtual internship’ where 26 students in their penultimate year of university were able to spend a week with the firm, gaining valuable insight into what a career at BDO might entail.
Ed Dwan, partner and head of BDO LLP in the North West, said:
“2020 has been a year like no other but, despite the immense challenges facing businesses and individuals alike, we are delighted to have recently welcomed more than 20 new trainees to our teams based in Manchester and Liverpool, and even more in 2021.
“Through a combination of the latest technology and a unified approach by our 343-strong team in the North West, we have been able to support our clients and communities during the global pandemic from our homes. This flexibility and focus on our core purpose to help people succeed, will allow our new cohort of trainees to still fully immerse themselves into their first few months with BDO, while the vast majority of our colleagues continue to work remotely.
“Our own Rethinking the Economy analysis shows that investing in talent is hugely important to businesses in the current climate, particularly in young people looking to kick-start their careers. That’s why it’s important to look ahead and invest in the best and brightest people who will become our advisers of the future.”
Nationwide, BDO welcomed almost 400 trainees in November, with a further 450 roles available to start in 2021. In 2019/20, the firm received more than 20,000 applications for its school leaver and graduate programmes.