Analyst Review

KPMG is a great firm to work for and I enjoyed every minute, I am planning to return upon graduation. I was supported and given a lot of responsibility from the beginning.

As I worked in the regions (outside of London) my team was inherently smaller than normal, just 37 people. This allowed me to develop both a personal and work relationship with everyone so I managed to have a really good working environment. This was also furthered by the social club where free events were scheduled for the team.

Upon joining and the beginning of each year you get to set goals with your performance manager. This person will then help you reach your goals. However, it was not just my performance manager that I could ask for support instead everyone was there to help me. Furthermore I had a 'buddy' when joining who helped me and showed me around and was just there for day-to-day questions which was very useful.

The job can be, at times, very busy but this is what should be expected when working in professional services. You do have deadlines to meet and you should expect to meet them. In the firm you get to manage yourself too, I did not have somebody breathing down my back asking me what I have been doing or what I need to do, so if you happen to finish your work it is up to you to go out and get some more, volunteer and help somebody out. There should never be an excuse to not be doing something as there is pleanty to do. However, there is still a good work life balance.

I was given a lot of responsibility. I was often working on very important work that could affect the team. Again though you manage yourself so if you feel like you are not getting any responsibility you can go out and seek it, when somebody emails asking for help volunteer to help. However, I did feel like I would have preferred more client experience.

During my placement I was given training that has led to professional qualifications as well as opportunities to shadow and lead client facing work. The skills I have learnt in this one year by far outweigh anything that I will do during my time at University.

It was enjoyable in the office most days (there are some days when I was on my own as there is a lot of travel involved). When others were in the office it wasn't sociable every minute of the day but that is what should be expected as we all have work to do. However, during lunch and throughout the day there was always a time when we would have a laugh.

The onboarding process was very smooth and worked very well. However, it appeared that everyone thought I was just another graduate and not on a placement year (which is great for getting responsibility). Within my team, however, I had to explain myself what I was expected to do, to be treat like a first year grad and have the same opportunites for training etc.

I got to go on training courses that resulted in professional qualifications. I did all the training a first year graduate would complete. Again though, it is up to you to say if you want to go on training so if you feel like something would be beneficial then make it known.

As long as you impress and make sure you treat the job as if you are a first year graduate I wouldn't see why you couldn't get a job afterwards.

I was the only placement student but the other members of staff were still sociable. There were quite a few team events, social club, monthly team drinks etc.

In the north most things are cheap, so you should have no worries regards accomodation costs etc. It is the same as anywhere else there are more expensive parts and more reasonable parts.

There are pleanty of clubs, bars, restaurants etc in Leeds and we are surrounded by other towns.

Outside of my day to day work I was involved in the social club which included paintballing, comedy club, watching the cricket, cocktail making etc. I also went to Zambia for two weeks on a placement for entering and winning a CSR competition called BRIGHT.