BDO welcomes 25 Southampton trainees

Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO has welcomed 25 trainees to its Southampton office as part of an intake of more than 500 people across the UK.

The Central South recruits include university graduates, school-leaver apprentices and students undertaking 12-month industrial placements across BDO’s audit, tax, deals and consulting, risk and outsourcing teams.

Their arrival takes the number of trainees joining the firm in Central South since 2024 to 79.

Across the UK, BDO has welcomed 525 trainees this year, with 55 per cent based outside London as part of its continued investment in regional growth.

More than one in four of BDO’s 8500 employees is now undertaking a graduate or school-leaver apprenticeship or industrial placement.

Max Whitlock, an audit trainee at BDO in the South of England, joined the firm’s school-leaver apprenticeship programme in 2023 and is due to qualify in 2027.

Max said: “There needs to be more exposure to apprenticeship information and job opportunities for students. 

“There’s still a perception that if students want to pursue a professional career they must go to university. 

“I now know that’s not true and have seen an increasing trend across industries that show school leavers progressing in their careers.

“I chose an apprenticeship because I knew I wanted to go into accounting, and I was ready to start work. 

“It ticked all the boxes for where I wanted to go with my career and enables me to gain a qualification while I am receiving a salary.”

The latest recruits will begin with a two-day induction covering areas including innovation, technology and data, quality and risk and personal development.

BDO has also expanded its early careers outreach this year, engaging more than 8200 young people through events, social mobility initiatives and virtual work experience.

Steve Le Bas, regional managing partner at BDO in the Central South, added: “The impact of investing in early career opportunities cannot be overstated and BDO is committed to supporting young people across the Central South to reach their potential. 

“We know the ripple effect these pathways have. 

“They have the power to not only break down generational barriers, but to improve social mobility and make the accountancy sector, and society more generally, more inclusive and equitable for all.

“It’s such a rewarding experience to welcome our annual cohort of trainees to BDO in Southampton. 

“Each year they bring a wealth of fresh perspectives, energy and curiosity to the business. 

“With the skills shortages and labour market conditions businesses are facing today, it’s never been more important to offer meaningful career opportunities to help develop the leaders of the future.”

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