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On our graduate programme, you’ll experience real responsibility and purpose from day one. Working with people who value your ideas and invest in your success, you’ll be helping to solve complex business challenges while earning a respected qualification at the same time - all with the support of a friendly and welcoming team that brings out the best in you.

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iconJob ID:
R16853
iconLocation:
London, United Kingdom
iconDate posted:
03 February 2025
iconCategory:
Insight Programme

Explore BDO Insight Programme

2025 Explore BDO programme 
Location: London 
Applications close: Friday 25th April 2025
Programme dates: Wednesday 27th August 2025 – Friday 29th August 2025. 

We’re BDO. An accountancy and business advisory firm, providing the advice and solutions businesses need to navigate today’s changing world.

At BDO, we’re committed to building a culture of diversity and belonging. We live in a diverse world and our people should reflect this. We believe that a person’s socioeconomic background should not determine their career success, and this is why we want to give students fromall backgrounds an opportunity to explore the roles available at BDO and in accounting more generally. 

We’ll broaden your horizons

Our Explore BDO Insight Programme is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the world of accounting. You’ll complete a three-day hybrid insight experience where you will develop your knowledge of accounting and gain exposure to BDO and our people.You’ll learn more about accounting and why what we do is nothing like the number crunching ideas you may have had. You will develop your professional skills and meet our amazing people who work across a vast range of jobs available at BDO.

This programme is open to year 12 and year 13 students and offers the opportunity to be fast-tracked through our hiring process for a School Leaver Apprenticeship role if eligible.

We’ll help you succeed 

The programme will take place from Wednesday 27th August to Friday 29thAugust 2025. You’ll have the chance to network with inspiring people from our business and take part in sessions that will bring the various roles at BDO to life.

During the Insight Programme, you will have the opportunity to grow and develop with skill sessions, including professional development and business resilience, which will support you later in life and in your career.  

Days 1 & 2 will be held virtually, with the final day in our London Baker Street Hub, where you will take part in interactive activities to put your new learnings to the test, and if successful be fast-tracked to the next stage of our hiring process for a School Leaver programme if eligible.

You’llbenefit from:

  • Valuable work experience and skills for your future career and development.

  • An understanding of how our business works.

  • Opportunities to learn from and network with our brilliant people.

  • The chance to be fast-tracked through our hiring process for aschool leaver position in 2026

This programme is aimed primarily at year 12 and year 13students who attend a state school and meet our social mobility criteria based on the job of the main earner in their household. We use the Social Mobility Commission guidance to determine which jobs meet our background criteria.

The following list is an example of some of the jobs that would meet the criteria:

  • Technical and craft jobs: such as motor mechanic, plumber, printer, electrician, gardener, train driver, etc.

  • Routine, semi-routine manual and service jobs: such as postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant, sales assistant, HGV driver, cleaner, porter, packer, labourer, waiter/waitress, bar staff.

  • Long-term unemployed: claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for more than a year.


If you’re unsure if your parent or guardian’s job makes you eligible, please do apply. Our team will be able to let you know if you are eligible once they have reviewed your application. 

The application process: 

To get a place on the programme you will need to complete our application form. If you meet our eligibility requirements, you will be invited to complete our online assessment and video interview. Before completing this we will send you a video with our hints and tips to help you succeed during the final stage of the process.We will also ask you to complete our Match Me Tool, to learn which area of BDO might be best aligned to your interests – we can then tailor your experience accordingly!

To take part in the programme please note you will be required to have access to a reliable internet connection. If you do not have a laptop we can provide support with equipment and you must be able to travel to London on the 22nd August for the final day of the programme. We are also able to support with travel expenses.

About BDO

Ask anyone what they love about working at BDO and they'll tell you it's the people. We're a friendly and diverse bunch who work hard to achieve the best outcomes and know how to have fun too.

Your career deserves a beyond-the-ordinary start. Apply to join the programme 

Our firm 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.

Your career deserves a beyond-the-ordinary start. Apply to join us today

Apply now

Success Profile

What makes you successful on the Explore BDO Insight Programme? Check out the traits we’re looking for and see if you have the right skill level.

  • Business thinking
  • Communicating
  • Decision making
  • Developing self & others
  • Collaborating
  • Innovation & Change

Our culture at BDO

We’re a thriving business that is respectful and client-focused while remaining firmly anchored in our core purpose – helping you succeed. Our Unifying Culture encourages us to be ourselves, to be inspired, challenged, collaborative and ultimately successful.

How we’ll support you.

We offer a range of support services to help you thrive in your new role. From study leave to taking care of your mental wellbeing, we'll be with you every step of the way.

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Buddy support

Your buddy will have first-hand experience of what it’s like to work and study towards a professional qualification and will support and guide you as you settle into your new career.

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People Manager support

Your PM will play a pivotal role in your career journey, providing guidance and support throughout your day-to-day work and your studies.

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Dedicated study support & study leave

Our Professional Qualifications team will assist you with everything from exam bookings to study leave allocations.

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Peer networks

Sharing your experience of working and studying with other trainees will see you building networks and future friends to support you throughout your career.

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Workable

Discover life at BDO from all angles – the office, client sites, or occasionally, your home. We’ll need you to join us in the office so we can best support your development, so ensure you’re a commutable distance away.

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BDO Networks

We have a number of groups where you can celebrate being yourself, including BLEND (LGBTQ+ network), BDO Inspire (Gender balance network), CEDAR (Celebrating Ethnic Diversity and Races network).

YOU READY FOR MORE?

Working at BDO is more than just an experience. It is an opportunity to be yourself and feel supported to succeed. Find out more about life at BDO.

Rewards & Benefits

We offer a wide range of core and voluntary benefits, with a few examples below.

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Holidays

Our holiday benefit enables you to purchase up to 10 days of additional leave.

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Health and Wellness Programmes

We promote a positive working environment where our people can thrive.

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Bike to work scheme

A convenient, environmentally friendly and tax-effective way to acquire a bike for travelling to and from work.

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Pension Plan

A Group Personal Pension Plan, with matched employer contributions.

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Private Medical

Access to private medical treatment for you and your family.

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Income Protection Plan

Provides a proportion of your basic salary if you suffer a loss of earnings because of illness or injury.