Accountancy and advisory firm BDO is set to add 700 trainees across various service lines within its UK offices.

These roles are distributed across BDO’s service lines, including audit, tax, deals, and consulting, risk and outsourcing.

The new trainees will join the firm’s workforce of 8,000 employees, with the majority expected to start in September 2025.

BDO said it will be accepting applications until 5 January 2025, offering positions to school leavers, graduates, and those seeking a 12-month industrial placement.

Furthermore, BDO will launch applications for its summer work experience and insight programmes later in the year.

These initiatives are designed to foster social mobility and provide insights into the accountancy field for individuals from less advantaged backgrounds.

“Explore BDO,” a three-day insight programme, targets students in years 12-13 who come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, aiming to demystify the accountancy profession and showcase potential career paths.

Additionally, BDO will continue its annual Black Heritage programme, which is tailored for first-year university students, to support diversity within the industry.

Both ‘Explore BDO’ programme and the ‘Black Heritage’ initiative accept candidates from across the UK.

In September 2024, BDO appointed more than 600 new trainees to its UK offices.

BDO people, culture & purpose head Anna Draper said: “Just a few weeks after welcoming over 600 trainees to BDO, I am delighted to have started our search for next year’s recruits.

“Today’s world can feel uncertain especially for young people making some important life decisions. Our role in progressing the next generation of professionals has never been more important.

“By offering a number of entry routes into the profession, including school leaver apprenticeships, we are determined to help improve access to accountancy for all and kickstart a fulfilling and potentially lifelong career for those who join us.

“Initiatives like BDO’s Black Heritage and Explore BDO insight programmes, designed for those who may not have considered or know much about a career in accountancy, have a huge role in diversifying the talent pool in our industry.”