Sector Focus
Finance
KPMG launches new apprenticeship
Professional services firm KPMG has announced the launch of an apprenticeship programme designed specifically for the next generation of auditors. The firm’s first ‘audit only’ apprenticeship has 140
vacancies up for grabs to school leavers across its UK office network, including 20 positions in Birmingham. Places on the five year programme will offer
apprentices the chance to work towards a Level 7 ACA or CA certification – qualifying them as an auditor upon completion. The launch follows a successful pilot which has
been running over the last 12 months, and has seen 70 new apprentices join the UK firm. The new programme follows increased
investment in the firm’s audit practice, with the addition of 1,000 experienced auditors and 1,000 graduates in 2019, the single biggest recruitment drive KPMG’s audit practice has ever seen. KPMG employs more than 1,300 professionals in Birmingham, including a team of over 400 auditors, at its One Snowhill office in the city centre. Birmingham office senior partner and Midlands
regional chairman Karl Edge said: “I started my career in audit and it really is a great choice as it provides a broad education into how a business works.
Dains acquires city centre practice
Dains Accountants has acquired an accountancy practice in Birmingham. The growing Midlands business
has taken over Clere’s Accountants, previously located on Church Street, in the heart of the city centre. Employees from Clere’s will join
the commercial services team at the Dains Birmingham office on Colmore Row. Clere’s in Birmingham has
provided a service for owner- managed businesses and individuals since 2003. Dains managing partner Richard McNeilly said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of the trade and assets of Clere’s Limited which builds on our position within the Birmingham marketplace. “In recent years, our proposition
has improved enormously for ambitious business owners, who require advice on everything from cloud accounting to VAT, corporate taxation and growth funding. “We look forward to welcoming
clients and staff to Dains as we continue to grow in the Midlands.” In 2018-19, 53 new staff joined
Dains and seven graduates were welcomed into the business which has offices in Birmingham, Lichfield, Burton, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent.
86 CHAMBERLINK February 2020 Senior appointment at Baldwins
The Midlands arm of business advisory firm Baldwins has appointed Laura Hinsley to lead its expanding Midlands audit department. The former Grant Thornton
employee has been appointed to head up the audit function in the region as a partner. Since November, Baldwins audit
team has tripled in size, and the company has plans for further growth. Ms Hinsley, who was recognised
by ‘Accountancy Age’ as one of the ‘top 35 accountants under 35’ in
2016, will be based at Baldwins’ office at Bank House in Birmingham. She has specialised in audit for
10 years, across both private and public sectors, and her track record of developing, coaching and building high performing teams at her previous employer saw her selected for the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ programme. She said: “The audit market is
undergoing significant change and this presents a huge opportunity for a firm such as Baldwins, with its clear market focus serving owner
managed businesses and SMEs, and commitment to its team.” Baldwins regional managing
partner in the West Midlands, Ian Gould: “Laura has all of the qualities needed to lead our new audit team in Birmingham – she has extensive knowledge of the audit market, is well-connected, ambitious and is passionate about personal development. “Our Birmingham office has had
a phenomenal year of growth and our audit department is going to be one of the key drivers of further growth for the region.”
“Our apprentices will be learning every day
through working with experienced auditors and our structured in-house learning and development programmes. “Advances in new technology such as AI,
blockchain and predictive analytics are fundamentally changing how we work and the sort of skills we’re looking for.” Cajsa Thulin, KPMG apprentice, said: “I chose to do
an apprenticeship at KPMG because I wanted to gain practical experience at a large global organisation. “I knew university wasn’t for me, and by
exploring different apprenticeships I found that the KPMG programme was the best fit for my personal career path. “I've certainly
developed a lot of skills in my time so far at KPMG, and I would recommend an apprenticeship at KPMG to anyone who might be looking for an alternative to the traditional higher education model.”
New hire: Laura Hinsley with Ian Gould and regional head of audit John Edwards
Karl Edge: Audit is a
great choice
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