Employer Guide 

KPMG fill places for all programmes on a rolling basis. Service lines and programmes will 
close as soon as they are full. So ​apply as soon as possible​ to avoid missing out! Click 
here​ to get started today. 
 
 

Recommendations if applying to a KPMG programme:  

✓ Complete the Professional Services ​Career Course​! 
✓ Read this ​Employer Guide 
✓ Look out for upReach ​TIPS​ marked with a tick – some of this information is 
exclusive only to us! 
 
✓ Sign up for a KPMG​ Video Forum  
✓ Remember to ​flag that you are an upReach Associate​ in your application – 
Information Source (select Agency/ Partnership, write upReach Associate in the 
free text box). 
✓ Keep your Programme Coordinator informed on your application progress so we 
can support you! 
✓ Read the KPMG Graduate & Undergraduate Careers Brochure  
 
CONTENTS 
 

 
About KPMG..……………………………………………………………………………….....p.1 
Opportunities…………………………………………………………………………………...p.3 
Application Process………..…………………………………………………………………..p.7 
General Tips……………………………………………………….……………………………p.11 
 
ABOUT KPMG 
 
 

KPMG is one of the UK’s largest providers of professional services organisations – a 

global network operating in 153 countries with 16,000 employees across 22 offices in the 
UK. ​Working with start-ups to major multinationals, private and public sector, applying 
insight and expertise to help solve clients’ biggest issues. ​It is among the ‘Big 4’ 
accountancy firms, alongside Deloitte, EY and PwC.  
 
The Service Lines on offer include:  
❖ Audit  
❖ Consulting  
❖ Deal Advisory 
❖ In-house Business Services 
❖ Tax and Pensions  
❖ Technology & Engineering 
 
Here are some links that can get you started on your research: 
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KPMG Global Review 2018 
Annual Report 2018 
Services Summary 
KPMG Culture 
Social Mobility at KPMG 
KPMG Graduate Careers 
KPMG Undergraduate Careers 
 
Smart Thinking and the Smart Network 
Join the ​Smart Network​ if you’re interested in a career at KPMG. They will keep you 
up-to-date with job alerts and any news that’s relevant to your interest. They will also 
invite you to events that are held nationwide and offer networking evening, panel 
discussions and on-campus events. 
When you start working, this network continues through Smart Thinking. 
 
People & Culture 
 
“As  a  business that faces a range of challenges across so many different sectors, we look 
for  people  with  all  kinds  of  perspectives  and  ideas.  Because  only  by  employing  a  variety 
of  talented  people  to  work  together  can  we  deliver  the  kind  of  service  that  makes  us 
proud as inclusion, diversity and social equality are fundamental to our future success.”  
 
The core values at KPMG include:  
✶ Lead by example  
✶ Respect the individual 
✶ Work together 
✶ Open and honest in our communication  
✶ Seek the facts and provide insight 
✶ Committed to communities 
✶ Act with integrity 
 

Look on KPMG website for more details – good link ​here 

 
KPMG’s vision is to ensure they are somewhere all their people can feel confident being
themselves:

The companies we work with ​see a difference in us because we are committed to

offering solutions that maximise diversity of thought. We work shoulder-to-shoulder with
them to bring the benefits of diversity through sharing our knowledge on best practice in
the Inclusion, Diversity and Social Equality space.

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We aim to be the most trusted​ professional services firm. We want to be leaders in the
Inclusion, Diversity and Social Equality space and work together to create a fairer future
for all.

They have a number of initiatives to help achieve their mission of inclusivity which you can
find out more about ​here. 

Awards 

 
 

 
✓ TIP​: The best way to learn about KPMG is to talk to their people. Look for 
opportunities through upReach Insight Days and sign up for a KPMG mentor. 
✓ TIP​:  Make  sure  you  consider  the  KPMG  Core  Values when you are completing the 
online  assessments  and  embed  the  language  when  responding  to  interview 
questions. ​TIES 
 
Programmes 
 
Insight Programmes – ‘Get a head start’  
Insider’s view into one of the world’s leading business advisory firms, the work they do, 
the industries they work in and the big issues facing their clients.  
❖ KPMG offer a variety of different Insight Programmes, each with specific relevance for 
whether you’re in your first, second or third year at university. 
❖ Takes place over two or three days depending on the programme 
o Black Heritage Talent Insight Programme ​(for final years & graduates) 
o Women in Deal Advisory​ (three days - 14th-16th July, 2020 - Day 1 & 3 
will be held in London. Day 2 will be held in the office to which you have 
applied) 

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 o Women in Technology​ (three days - Manchester: 23rd-25th June, 2020, 
London: 14th-16th July, 2020)  
❖ See the KPMG website ​here​ for more information on insight programmes. 
❖ Fast Track to a Vacation Programme in 2021 
 
Vacation Programmes – ‘Starting your KPMG journey’ 
The  chance  to  discover  what  it’s  like  to  be  part  of  a  professional  team  and  to  explore 
different areas of the business. 
❖ For students in their penultimate year of university.  
❖ 4 weeks, starting in June/July,  
❖ See the KPMG website ​here​ for information on service lines available. 
❖ Conversion interview for Graduate programme in 2021 
 
One Year Business Placement – ‘Let your curiosity lead you’ 
A  placement  to  gain  a  broad  range  of  professional  experience  while  working  with  a  wide 
variety  of  people  at  KPMG.  Also  the  opportunity  to  start  preparing  for  your  professional 
qualifications. 
❖ For students in their penultimate year of university. 
❖ Typically starts in September for a full year. 
❖ See the KPMG website ​here​ for information on service lines available. 
❖ Conversion interview for Graduate programme in 2021 
 
Graduate Programme 
The first step on a professional career with a world-class training scheme towards getting  
a professional qualification in a technology-enabled environment. 
❖ For students in their final year at university. 
❖ A permanent role which typically starts in September. 
❖ See the KPMG website ​here​ for more information on graduate schemes available. 
 
 
Service Lines 
 
Audit​: The fundamental role of an auditor is to assure stakeholders that the annual 
accounts show a true and fair view of the company’s financial performance while also 
developing a deep understanding of the organisation in order to provide them with added 
value insight.  
Areas of focus: ​ Audit, Information Risk Management, Accounting Advisory Services 
 
Consulting​: In Consulting, you will work across diverse industries and sectors, offering 
advice on how companies can grow with confidence, avoid unnecessary risk or deal with 
the unexpected and much more.  
Areas of focus: ​ Actuarial, Customer, Cyber, Data & Technology, Forensic, Internal Audit 
- Risk & Compliance Services (IARCS), Management Consulting, People Consulting, Risk 
& Regulatory, Strategy, Transport and Public Sector Accounting Advisory  
 

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Deal Advisory:​ You’ll be helping businesses make key decisions on their business. These 
increasingly uncertain and changing times create new challenges and opportunities. You 
will help clients navigate the complexities of the changing circumstances ensuring the 
best outcomes for them. 
Areas of focus:​ Debt Advisory, Infrastructure Advisory Group, Integration & Separation, 
M&A, Restructuring, Transaction Services, Valuations 
 
Tax and Pensions:​ Working alongside clients to help them understand the intricacies of 
tax across the globe, supporting them to comply with relevant regulations so they can 
operate responsibly, sustainably and ethically. KPMG’s services ​span​ ​company-focused
areas such as Corporate and Indirect Tax as well as people-focused services including
Private Client Advice, Employment Taxes and Global Mobility Services, and Pensions. 
Areas of focus: ​Tax,​ G​ lobal Mobility Services, Investment Advisory, Pensions Actuarial 
 
Technology and Engineering:​ ​Technology is an increasingly critical part of any business. 
As a graduate, you will help to develop forward-thinking solutions to interesting and 
important technology issues. 
Areas of focus:​ Analytics, Cloud Transformation, Cyber, Data & Technology Consulting, 
Financial Modelling, Global Mobility Services Technology, Software Engineering, 
Solutions Consulting 
 
✓ Find out more about ​KPMG’s new ​Technology & Innovation Hub​ in Manchester! 
 
KPMG Business Services:​ Business services provide support to the core operations of 
KPMG. Whereas the above programmes are client-focussed, this stream involves working 
internally within KPMG to ensure efficient and successful business operations. 
Areas of focus:​ ​People, Corporate Affairs, Quality & Risk Management, Market
Development, IT Services and Finance 
 
✓ TIP​:  Make  sure  you  really  understand  the  business  area  you  are  interested  in  –  what 
the  business  area  does  and  why it is a good fit for you – in order to ace the motivation 
questions asked during an interview.  
 
Support & Training 
 
All Professional Services firms are committed to the training and development of their 
greatest asset – which is you! ​KPMG’s central UK Learning function will provide you with 
key learning opportunities to support you on your journey to reaching your full potential, 
becoming qualified and beyond. These learning opportunities will surpass the classroom, 
with learning every day and technology based training designed especially to enable your 
journey through your career. 
A key focus in supporting you in preparing you for your professional qualifications – 
therefore they have a full time dedicated ​Professional Qualifications Training and 

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Accreditation (PQA) team. This team will work with you throughout your training 
agreement to provide you with all you will need to be successful in your exams and to 
reach your full potential.   
Choosing your training path - Intensive or Empowered?
 
Some programmes offer either the ACA or CA qualifications depending on office location. 
For other offices KPMG offer different ACA routes that you will be able to select upon 
applying. These are the ACA Intensive Programme or our ACA Empowered Programme. 
The difference between the paths rests on when you take your exams.  
On the ​Intensive ​route you can sit all of your exams in the first year and then spend the 
second and third year applying what you have learnt. If you would prefer to spread the 
exams out over the three years you can opt for the ​Empowered​ route where you will 
apply what you are learning in college as you go with client exposure from day one.  
✓ TIP​:  No  one  route  is  better  than  the  other,  it  really just depends on your learning style 
and  the  type  of  environment  you  work  best  in.  Make  sure  you  have  spent  some  time 
developing your self-awareness so that you have a better insight into how you tick and 
therefore  which  route  is  best  suited  for  you.  One  way  you  can  do  this  is  by  starting  a 
journal. 
✓ TIP: ​Do the Professional Services career course to find out more about what 
qualifications you can do.  
✓ T​o find out more about training and development opportunities at KPMG, click ​here​. 

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✓ TIP​:  Understand  the  different  professional  qualifications  available  for  the  service  line 
you  are  interested  in  and  be  able  to  discuss/ask  questions  about  the  training  you  will 
receive to support you in achieving the qualification. 
 
APPLICATION PROCESS 
We have a summary of the steps with our tips for each stage below – but find out more 
on the KPMG ​website​ and talk to your Programme Coordinator if you have questions.   
 
 

Step  Tips 
   
Step 1: Online Application Form  ➔ Minimum grade requirements – GCSE: 
Your chance to tell them about your  ‘B’ in Maths & English; 300 UCAS 
academic background and any work  points; on track for 2:1.  
experience.   
  ➔ Tell your Programme Coordinator that 
Be sure to ​flag that you are an upReach  you applied so we can support you 
Associate​ when answering the question  throughout the process.  
“Information Source”   
✶ Select “Agency/ Partnership” from  ➔ Flag your application on my.upReach 
the drop down menu   
✶ Write in “upReach Associate” in the  ➔ Take a screenshot of the job 
free text box  description so that you can save it for 
  future reference if it disappears off the 
website/ they close for applications. 
 
   
Step 2: Transforming Small Businesses  ➔ Practice SJT tests on my.upReach and 
(online assessment)  Cubiks​. Also use the links in the 
You will be asked to consider a range of  ‘additional information’ below for 
materials relations to 3 fictional small  access to other test sites. 
businesses, each with their own business 
challenges.   ➔ Make sure you understand the KPMG 
  values and the competencies they are 
You will be asked to respond to different  looking for. Have a think about what 
situations relating to those challenges by  they mean, why they might be 
ranking what you’d likely do, say or feel.   important and what they look like in 
  practice. Write them down on a piece 
There will also be a numerical element  of paper and have it next to you during 
where you are asked to analyse some  the assessment so that you can keep 
information and provide responses.  referring back to them. 
   
You will be asked to reply using a range of  ➔ Brush up on your numerical skills - you 
responses including sliding scales, ranking,  will be asked to analyse some data so 
you will need to make sure you 

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written answers, picking most/ least likely  remember how to tackle GCSE level 
responses   maths problems. Use ​BBC Bitesize​ to 
  refresh your memory.  
Not time limited – approx. 90mins to   
complete, but make sure you take the test  ➔ This assessment is the same no matter 
in one sitting. Complete within ​5 days​.  which business area you are applying 
  to. However bear in mind that different 
service lines will have different 
benchmarks so you will need to make 
sure that you have picked the right 
business area for you! 
 
   
Step 3: Delivering Outcomes (online  ➔ Practice SJT tests on my.upReach and 
assessment)  Cubiks​. Also use the links in the 
This assessment will bring forward one of  ‘additional information’ below for 
the businesses that you worked on in the  access to other test sites. 
previous task, asking you to provide a more 
detailed analysis.  ➔ Make sure you are in a quiet place 
  where you won’t be disturbed.  
Again, you will be provided with scenarios   
and asked to rank what you would likely do  ➔ Ensure you have researched the 
in each situation.   business area you have applied to in 
  detail, use the blogs, social media 
You will need to respond through a mixture  posts and video interviews with their 
of recorded video clips and written  employees to get a deeper insight into 
answers.  what their roles entail and what their 
  priorities are. 
This stage is business area specific and will   
help you understand they type of work you  ➔ Revisit KPMG’s values and the 
would be doing / the type of responsibilities  capabilities they are looking for. (See 
you’d have.  ‘what KPMG look for in you below’) 
  Also, make sure you have re-read the 
Not time limited – approx. 60mins to  job description. 
complete, but make sure you take the test   
in one sitting. Complete within ​5 days​.  ➔ You will need a calculator, pen, paper - 
  a glass of water would also be a good 
This is the final stage for applications to  idea! 
the insight programmes   
  ➔ Wear clothes that you would wear for 
an interview - remember they will be 
able to see you on the video answers 
 

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 ➔ Make sure you have a neutral 
background behind you - ideally a plain 
wall 
 
➔ Look at the camera when you are 
delivering your reply, do not look down 
at your notes for the whole recording 
 
➔ Test your microphone and camera 
beforehand 
 
➔ Structure your answers - think about 
what, why and how. Back up your 
reasoning with facts and figures where 
possible 
 
   
Stage 5: Launch Pad Event   ➔ Attend a Video Forum on Group 
Combines assessment with the opportunity  Exercises to learn more on how to 
for you to learn more about the career  prepare. 
opportunities available at KPMG.  
  ➔ Make sure you ask questions at 
You will be assessed on the KPMG  networking opportunities, prepare 
capabilities​ ​over the course of the day.  some questions before the day. 

Activities include:  ➔ For online exercise - similar questions 

✶ Group exercise – multiple challenges  to the cognitive (numerical and verbal 
(1-2hrs)  questions) in the Transforming Small 
✶ Networking Opportunities   Businesses Exercise earlier on in the 
✶ Online exercise (1hr)  process 
✶ Partner Interview  
  ➔ Know your stuff: read annual report, 
See Launch Pad dates and invitations to  set up Google Alerts, follow their social 
join KPMG preparation Facebook groups  media pages!  
here​. 
  ➔ Be prepared to speak about a current 
Applicable for all programmes except  topic of interest to you. Attend the level 
insight opportunities   2 or 3 PS commercial awareness video 
forums to help you prepare 

➔ For the interview - refer to their values 

and have examples of times you have 
shown the capabilities that KPMG are 
looking for. (See ‘what KPMG look for 
in you below’) 
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 ➔ Contact your Programme Coordinator 
to do a mock interview! 
 
➔ Reflect on feedback from previous 
interviews and talk to your PC about 
what you would do differently  

 
 
What KPMG look for in you 
 

During the recruitment process you will be assessed against the strengths that are key to
success at KPMG. You should consider your own strengths and motivations, and how
these compare with what they look for at KPMG. ​During  each  of  the assessment stages - 
they want to see that you believe in the values that underpin their business. 
 
1) Career Motivation 
2) Drive Quality 
3) Demonstrate Integrity  
4) Critical Thinker 
5) Resilient Performer 
6) Leverage Technology  
7) Communicate Effectively  
8) Foster Innovation 
9) Credible Connector 
10) Show Curiosity 
11) Purposeful Collaborator   
 
Look ​here​ on the KPMG website to find out more about what each of these mean. 
 
✓ Spend some time thinking about what these capabilities mean to you, why they 
might be important (think both big and small picture) and what they look like in 
practice.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GENERAL TIPS 
 

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 ✓ Let your Programme Coordinator know you are applying – With support from 
upReach, you increase your chances of getting the sought-after successful offer! 
 
✓ Get to know what KPMG look for in you (see above) – KPMG will be looking for 
demonstrations of these throughout your answers at each stage. Make sure to link 
back and ‘Think KPMG’ 
 
✓ Practice! – We have lots of material, and our Programme Coordinators are happy 
to go over practice interviews before the real thing. Working on points to improve 
increases your chances of being successful. 
 
✓ Have an answer to ‘Why KPMG?’ – This question can be missed, but it’s 
two-pronged. When applying to KPMG, know why you are applying for them 
specifically, and why not one of the other Big Four? An answer as personalised 
and narrow as possible will help with this question, and leave a good impression 
on an interviewer. 
 
✓ Use Press Releases! – Incorporating press releases into your answers is a great 
way of saying that you have done your research on the company, and that you 
know specifically what their current work involves.  
 
✓ Review feedback! – For the KPMG application process, you will have the 
opportunity to receive feedback at the end of the process. Whether or not you 
receive a final offer, it is really important to reflect on feedback and comments so 
that they can be built upon to produce even stronger applications next time. 
 
 
More Useful Links 
 

 
KPMG Facebook​ - KPMG post regular information about their programmes and 
upcoming events 
 
 

KPMG YouTube​ - Different videos about day-to-day life at KPMG 
 

 

KPMG Twitter​ - Get the latest updates from KPMG, including events and the latest news. 

 
 

KPMG Smart Network​ - Free network for people who aspire to join KPMG – get news and 

events info straight to your inbox. 
 
 

KPMG Careers​ - All the information you need regarding the undergraduate and graduate 

opportunities at KPMG 
 
 

KPMG Press Releases​ - All KPMG news and media contacts. 

Example Interview Questions 
 

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 1. Think of a company that is not doing well currently – list the important issues 
affecting the company and how you suggest they resolve them? 
 
 

2. Why did you apply to KPMG? 
 

 
3. Why this particular service line? (e.g. tax)? 
 
 
4. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond what was expected of 
you? 
 
5. What do you hope to gain by participating in the X Programme? 
 
6. Scenario:
  You  have  just  finished  a  project  which  involved  the  organisation  of 
client  records  dating  back  a  few years. Despite the importance of the task, you are 
glad  to  finish  it  as  it  was  rather  boring.  Your  next  task is more interesting, and you 
are  particularly  looking  forward  to  working  on  it.  Deadlines  for  the  next project are 
frequently tight and time frames are important.  
Your  old  project  lead  emails you stating that there are some issues on the previous 
project which need sorting out today. How should you respond to this?  
 
 
Practice Tests 
 
Log on to ​my.upReach ​-​ ​Lots of practice tests available. 
 
Other useful 
Name of site 
information 
https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/index.htm 

https://www.studentladder.co.uk/Online-Test-Overview/shl.html 

https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/ 
Some free 
https://practicetests.cubiks.com/our-assessment  tests 

https://www.verbalreasoningtest.org/ 

https://www.situationaljudgementtest.org.uk/ 

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https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests/  Paid 
packages 

 
 

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