KPMG
Overview
KPMG in the UK is a multidisciplinary Big Four professional services firm providing Audit, Tax, Legal and Advisory services. The firm positions itself as a technology-forward, values-led advisor that combines deep sector knowledge with alliances across leading tech vendors (Microsoft, Oracle, ServiceNow, Anaplan) and proprietary products (KPMG Clara, Digital Gateway, Powered Enterprise). KPMG emphasises large-scale digital transformation, ESG and audit quality while operating through an extensive UK office network and a global member firm network that spans 144 countries and territories.
- Headquarters: London, Canary Wharf (15 Canada Square)
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Corporate & M&A
- Banking & Finance
- Capital Markets
- Tax
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Technology & Digital
- ESG & Sustainability
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Infrastructure & Projects
- Real Estate
- Employment
- Data Protection & Privacy
- Financial Services & Regulation
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Fraud & Investigations
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Retail & Consumer
- Insurance & Reinsurance
- Pensions
- Transport & Logistics
- Private Equity & Venture Capital
Geographic Focus: A strong national UK footprint (major offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and regional hubs) combined with a global network of member firms operating in 144 countries and territories. KPMG in the UK leverages global alliances and international member-firm capability to deliver cross-border digital transformations, ESG programmes, audit services and large-scale transactions.
Training Contract
Programmes & Schemes
KPMG offers apprenticeship pathways (procurement via KPMG careers) enabling school-leavers to learn on the job, achieve professional qualifications and gain early responsibility. Testimonials on the careers site highlight buddy support, early training and on-the-job learning.
Undergraduate programmes and opportunities across Audit, Tax, Advisory and Consulting with routes into summer placements, internships and graduate schemes. The firm promotes work that gives practical experience and access to learning resources.
Graduate programmes across multiple service lines with structured learning and professional qualification support. The firm emphasises rapid exposure to client work, professional exams and career progression.
Targeted recruitment for experienced hires, secondment and mobility opportunities across KPMG’s service lines. The careers hub supports role search by location and specialism.
Notable Matters
KPMG firms in France and the UK implemented a KPMG Powered Enterprise GBS solution for Danone, consolidating services across HR, finance, procurement and master data management onto ServiceNow. The project delivered an always-on, mobile-first employee service interface called 'Founda!' providing end-to-end visibility from request to resolution, process harmonisation and material cost savings while deflecting cases through self-service and automation.
Technology & Digital
KPMG and Oracle partnered to replace the University of St Andrews' legacy finance system with Oracle Fusion, using KPMG Powered Enterprise methodology. The implementation standardised chart of accounts, sped up month-end processes, improved data quality and reporting, and future-proofed the finance function for continued improvement.
Education
KPMG collaborated with Microsoft to build a real-time incident reporting platform using Microsoft Power Apps and Dataverse, replacing manual processes and enabling up to 50,000 users to report incidents. Results highlighted an 80% decrease in time to raise and start addressing close calls and 90% of close calls now resolved within 90 days.
Transport & Logistics
KPMG supported Tesco across a multi-year programme to place customers at the centre of decisions, implementing customer insight technology, colleague apps and a large-scale change management programme that engaged 20,000 colleagues. The project improved customer Recommend scores and Group NPS and supported operational transformation across stores and digital channels.
Retail & Consumer
KPMG provided pro bono support to Marie Curie, surveying 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England and creating a practical toolkit to quantify the value of palliative and end of life care programmes. KPMG then worked with an ICB to design options that demonstrated potential savings of over £100m across 20 years while improving patient outcomes.
Charities & Not-for-Profit
KPMG delivered a simplified source-to-pay transformation for Zurich Insurance as part of digital transformation and procurement optimisation, leveraging KPMG Products and Powered Enterprise accelerators to modernise procurement processes.
Insurance & Reinsurance
What KPMG Looks For
Key Competencies
- Commercial awareness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Adaptability and learning mindset
- Technical curiosity in technology, data and AI
- Client service orientation
- Ethical judgement and integrity
- Communication and stakeholder engagement
- Resilience and problem-solving
Evidence Signals
- Relevant work experience or internships (audit, tax, consulting or technology projects)
- Apprenticeship or on-the-job learning experience
- Demonstrable commercial or sector insight (e.g. retail, financial services, public sector)
- Experience with data, analytics, AI or digital transformation projects
- Volunteer, pro bono or community engagement (shows values alignment)
- Evidence of continuous learning (certificates, online courses, technical projects)
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Private medical healthcare (opt-in schemes referenced)
- Dental care (opt-in)
- 24/7 remote GP service
- Access to Bupa Menopause Plan and menopause-trained nurses
- Unmind workplace wellbeing platform
- BeWell Employee Assistance Programme (confidential counselling)
- Viva Insights personal productivity and wellbeing recommendations
- Full health assessments with Nuffield Health
- Discounted gym memberships
- Cycle to Work scheme (bike and equipment loans)
- Emergency back-up care for dependants
- Flexible benefits (ability to flex benefits to include family members on private medical/dental)
- Pensions support and financial wellbeing resources
- Learning & development (Space to Learn curriculum, Spark AI skills coach)
- Hybrid/flexible working guided by firm principles
- Ignition Centres / collaborative innovation hubs (London and Manchester)
- Employee networks (16 inclusion and diversity networks) and sports & social clubs
- Volunteer and community programmes and paid volunteering events
Wellbeing
Integrated wellbeing strategy covering mental health, preventative health, financial wellbeing and support for working families. Colleagues have access to Unmind, BeWell EAP, remote GP, menopause support (trained GPs and nurses), health assessments, physiotherapy options and wellbeing events. The firm runs targeted programmes (Jump Start, Menopause Cafes) and monitors uptake to refine offerings.
Awards & Recognition
- Verdantix Green Quadrant: Sustainability Consulting leader 2026 (analyst recognition)
- IDC MarketScape: European ESG Technology Services for CSRD Compliance leader 2024 (analyst recognition)
- Verdantix: Global market leader in Climate Change Consulting (analyst recognition)
- FT Leading Management Consultancies table recognition (2026)
- 2025 MCA Award for Social Value (pro bono work with Marie Curie)
- Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2024
- UK Social Mobility Awards 2024 – Organisation of the Year (Gold)
- Platinum EcoVadis Medal 2025
- CDP Climate Change B rating 2025
- Better Society Awards – Workplace Sustainability Award (2025)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Ambitious 2030 inclusion, diversity and equity commitments; pledge to give one million young people the opportunity to build skills by 2030; pledged £2m of support to FareShare by September 2027.
- 16 inclusion, diversity and equity employee networks
- Families network
- Menopause Ambassador network and Menopause Cafes
- Return to work programmes
- IT's Her Future programme (gender diversity in tech)
- KPMG Foundation (independent grant-making charity)
- Breathe (LGBT+ network referenced)
- KPMG Big Walks and local volunteering programmes
Pro Bono
KPMG undertakes structured pro bono work (example: pro bono support for Marie Curie surveying 42 ICBs, toolkit development and implementation support; firm-wide volunteering and community programmes; KPMG Foundation supports grant-making and community impact).
Innovation
KPMG pursues a technology-led strategy combining proprietary platforms (KPMG Clara, Digital Gateway) with strategic alliances (Microsoft, Oracle, ServiceNow, Anaplan) and a broad product portfolio to accelerate clients' digital and ESG transformations. The firm invests heavily in AI, data and cloud (multi-year US$5bn commitment) and embeds these tools into audit, tax, legal and advisory practices; trainees and staff are exposed to these platforms through client delivery, internal learning (Spark) and Innovation hubs.
- KPMG Clara (smart audit platform)
- Digital Gateway for Law (AI-powered legal data & GEM tool)
- KPMG Powered Enterprise (functional transformation accelerators)
- KPMG Products suite (Dash, Climate IQ, Sofy solutions, Tax Bridge, Cognitive Contract Management, etc.)
- Spark AI skills coach (learning & development)
- Ignition / Ignition Centres (London and Manchester)
- KPMG x Alliances (strategic partnerships with Microsoft, Oracle, ServiceNow, Anaplan and others)
- Multi-year US$5 billion investment in digital transformation
Quick Application Angles
- Demonstrate values alignment: explicitly reference KPMG’s core values (Integrity; Excellence; Courage; Together; For better) with short examples from your experience showing ethical judgement, teamwork and measurable impact.
- Show commercial + tech fluency: cite a relevant KPMG initiative (e.g., KPMG Clara, Digital Gateway, Powered Enterprise or KPMG x Microsoft/Oracle collaborations) and explain how your technical or analytical skills would add value to digital transformation or AI-enabled programmes.
- Use sector examples: for client-facing roles reference sector-specific transformations highlighted by KPMG (retail/customer experience, public services/citizen experience, energy transition) and bring evidence of sector knowledge or relevant project work.
- Evidence of learning and adaptability: highlight continuous learning (courses, certifications, or use of Spark-like learning tools) and any on-the-job responsibility you’ve held early in your career — KPMG prizes rapid development and practical impact.
- Demonstrate social value and pro bono interest: mention any volunteering or pro bono work (for example health, education or community initiatives) to align with KPMG’s community and social value commitments (e.g. Marie Curie work, KPMG Foundation).
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