ACCOUNTANCY and business advisory firm BDO is welcoming 24 new trainees to its Southampton office, with 600 joining nationwide.

The trainees are a combination of school leaver apprentices and university graduates. The majority will have the opportunity to undertake a level-7 apprenticeship programme, resulting in a qualification equivalent to a master’s degree.

This year, BDO has also hired over 50 industrial placement students for 12 months between their second and third year of university, as well as 70 summer interns.

As part of its commitment to increasing diversity in the profession, BDO also runs targeted insight programmes aimed at school or college students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and university students from a black heritage.

Applications for the firm’s 2023 graduate and school leaver apprentice programmes will open later this month, with more than 700 positions available nationwide and 35 in Southampton.

Malcolm Thixton is the regional head of BDO.

He said: "We’re delighted to welcome this year’s intake of trainees - a group of talented individuals who join us from a variety of backgrounds, whether they’re school leavers, or university graduates.

"As a firm, we believe in the importance of providing career opportunities and pathways that enable young people from all walks of life to access a vibrant and exciting profession, such as accountancy.

"The success of our graduate and school leaver apprentice programmes is a testament to that continued investment and the commitment of everyone involved.

“The education of young people has undoubtedly been severely disrupted in the last few years, with both school leavers and graduates having to navigate learning and examinations in very challenging circumstances.

"Each and every one of them should be extremely proud of their achievements and we look forward to supporting them on what will hopefully be a long and successful career journey at BDO.”

BDO provides tax, audit and assurance, advisory and business outsourcing services to companies across all sectors of the economy.

Operating out of 18 locations across the UK, its employees cover all the major business centres while offering local expertise to local firms.

More information about BDO’s programmes and 2023 positions can be found at https://www.bdoearlyincareer.co.uk/

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