The University of Birmingham has become the
third establishment to join KPMG UK’s school leavers scheme,
starting in September 2012.
The KPMG UK scheme, which combines studying
part-time for an accountancy degree with part-time work at the
firm, has been running since 2011 at Durham and Exeter
Universities.
This year 1500 students have applied for 150
places on the programme, which includes paid tuition fees and a
starting salary of around £20,000, followed by two years
professional accountancy training with KPMG. Two thirds of
applicants are from state schools or Further Education
colleges.
KPMG UK head of corporate affairs Marianne
Fallon said it is important for the firm to cast the net as wide as
possible to seek out, and invest in, the very best people that are
the future the business.
“Increasing social mobility is vital to
us. We know that we have to draw on a wider pool of
talent if the profession is to stay relevant to society in a
rapidly evolving world,” Fallon said.
KPMG has also announced that it in October
twenty school leavers will start a three year course with its risk
consulting practice, where they will have the option to work
towards an accounting qualification with the Association of
Accountant Technicians or towards a technology qualification. They
can then choose to continue their studies or to follow another
career within KPMG.
