A bit about us
Big ambitions. Personal investment. That’s Beyond the Ordinary.
Ready to start your career, learn by doing and see where your ambitions could take you? Welcome to the Audit School Leaver Apprenticeship at BDO.
The programme starts on Monday, 20th September 2027, for an organisation-wide induction (you need to be able to attend).
We’re the only UK mid-market organisation with more than £1bn in turnover and 8,000 people. Audit at BDO gives you the chance to get involved and build experience from day one. Our Audit teams work across specialist areas including Pension Audit, Public Sector, Not-for-Profit, Financial Services and Technology Risk Assurance, giving you the chance to learn how different organisations work from the inside out.
You’ll be trusted to contribute early, but you won’t be expected to know everything straight away. You’ll learn alongside experienced colleagues, build your confidence through practical experience and have people around you to answer questions and help you develop.
It’s a place to turn big ambitions into a career, with people personally invested in your growth from the start.
A bit about the Technology Risk Assurance team
Audit at BDO gives you the chance to take on meaningful work early in your career. We’re the only UK mid-market organisation with more than £1bn in turnover and 8,000 people. That means you get the scale and breadth of a major professional services business, while working with clients where your contribution can make a real difference.
We have roles within our Data Analytics and IT controls teams.
What does the TRA controls team do?
The Technology Risk Assurance Controls team helps the audit team identify and assess risks associated with the client's finance applications. We focus on IT systems and processes related to access, change management and automated interfaces between systems. When we identify weaknesses in the client IT environment, we provide recommendations to management to help them strengthen processes and controls. We also work closely with the financial audit team to explain the risks arising from IT that impact our audit approach and may require additional audit testing of financial statement integrity.
Key responsibilities include:
-IT General Controls testing over the financial applications
-Cyber Security Risk Assessments
-Database and Operating Systems controls testing
-Assessment of automated controls operated by the business
What does the TRA Data team do?
The TRA Data team uses data analytics to support audits by examining entire populations of financial data, rather than relying solely on traditional sample-based testing. By combining technology, data analysis and audit expertise, we help provide efficient, high-quality assurance across a range of financial statement areas.
Key responsibilities include:
-Exploring and analysing data to help understand how businesses operate and identify potential risks using tools such as Alteryx, Databricks, Python, SQL, SAS, amongst others
-Checking and validating financial information to support the audit process
-Working closely with colleagues across audit teams to solve problems and deliver successful outcomes
-Presenting insights in a clear and engaging way to help teams focus on key areas of risk, including building visualisations and dashboards
As for you
You’re curious, resilient and ready to learn. You enjoy solving problems, thinking things through and getting involved.
You don’t need to arrive with all the answers. Bring your ambition and willingness to learn, and we’ll give you opportunities to build your experience, confidence and skills from there.
Join us in one of the following areas;
Controls – Birmingham, London, Reading or Manchester
Data – Birmingham or London
One thing to note: you’ll need to live within a commutable distance of the office you apply to. Relocation support is not provided, so please consider this carefully before applying. Time together in person matters – whether that’s in the office or with clients. It gives you more opportunities to learn from your team, build relationships and get the most from working together.
Is it for you? To apply, you’ll need:
- Three A-levels (or equivalent) at A*-C (excluding General Studies and Extended Projects), or four Scottish Advanced Highers at grade A-B (or equivalent, for example, BTEC Extended Diploma). Please note: we do not use UCAS points. You’ll be asked to provide evidence if you’re successful in securing an offer
- GCSEs at grade 4 and above in Maths and English, or Scottish National 5 grade A-C. You’ll also need to provide evidence if successful
- Commitment to balance study and professional work
- The right to work in the UK (we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for these roles as they do not meet the current minimum salary requirements for sponsorship set by the Home Office. Applications from candidates who have their own legal right to work within the UK must cover the duration of their 4-year training contract and employment)
How the interview process will go
We want you to know what to expect, so here’s the typical process:
- Online application form.
- Online assessments.
- Video interview.
- Virtual assessment centre.
- Final interview in person.
We’ll keep you updated at each stage and share resources to help you prepare. And just so you know: we don’t use AI in any part of our candidate screening process. Every application is reviewed by a real person.
What you get in return
Our benefits are designed to support your life in and outside of work, with options including additional leave, gym membership and employee discounts, alongside pension, health and wellbeing support and a range of protection benefits.
Salary
£26,615 - £28,275 dependable on location.
Closing date for applications is Sunday 15th November 2026.
Before you go
Starting your career is a big step. At BDO, you’ll get the chance to learn by doing, work with clients and build strong foundations for where you want to go next.
You’ll bring the big ambitions. You’ll have people around you investing in your learning, confidence and development from the start.
Big ambitions. Personal investment.
That’s Beyond the Ordinary.
Apply now.
Our organisation is distinctive because we preserve and build on the strengths of our culture and the characteristics that make us successful and different. We look for people from all kinds of backgrounds who share these same qualities.
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