RSM counters national trend and more than doubles trainee intake in the North West
RSM in the North West will more than double its annual summer intake of trainees in 2021 as it looks to strengthen a key ambition to grow the firm from within its own ranks.
The leading audit, tax and consulting firm will recruit just shy of 110 trainee employees in August 2021 in the North West, up from the 50 university graduates and school-leavers it employed in summer 2019. The firm has already secured over 92 applicants so far, as it looks to fill the remaining vacancies before August.
Nationally the firm will recruit almost 500 trainees in its summer intake, up from the 224 university graduates and school-leavers it employed in summer 2019.
RSM’s recruitment policy also runs counter to the national trend as university leavers compete for 24 per cent fewer roles this year compared to last, after the graduate job market was impacted by the pandemic.
RSM’s drive to recruit increased numbers of trainees remains a critical part of its continued bid to strengthen the wider growth of the firm from within its own existing ranks. The firm aims to become a first-choice employer of highly skilled people, and as a leading adviser to middle market firms globally.
Kevin Duffy, RSM regional managing partner for the North West, said:
“With youth unemployment sitting at 14 per cent there’s no escaping the fact that career prospects for graduates and school leavers have greatly diminished as a consequence of the events of the past year. Whilst our experiences of the pandemic have presented many challenges, our resilience as a firm, and what has been a strong year for us financially, has allowed us to take some bold steps, and a long-term approach. We want to invest in and grow our very own talent now, and a key part of that plan is to apply it at career-entry level. That is to the benefit of talented young prospective employees looking to take their first step on the career ladder, but who are doing it in an extremely competitive market.”
As part of this year’s trainee recruitment drive, RSM will also aim to double its national intake of school leavers since 2019. This year it aims to recruit 86, up from 66 last year and 42 the previous year. This demonstrates RSM’s focus on attracting more who choose to make the jump into the world of professional services as an alternative to going to university.
The new trainees will begin their careers within the firm’s tax, audit, corporate finance, risk, restructuring advisory, financial reporting and IT teams. After completing an intensive internal training course, the new recruits will commence study towards their professional ACA, AAT, ATT, ICAS, ACCA, CIA or CTA qualifications.
Victoria Kirkhope, people partner at RSM said:
“We’re delighted to be expanding our trainee recruitment programme and look forward to welcoming our new intake. In the meantime, we continue to recruit for the remaining vacancies. From August, our new young talent will gain a professional qualification and the technical and personal skills that they need to develop their careers and reach their full potential with RSM. They will be supported by a modern apprenticeship scheme and an internal training programme that is designed to support development from entry through to Partnership. Our people, who come from a range of backgrounds and bring with them a range of experiences, truly are the heart of our business.”