Student careers in audit

Joining the KPMG Audit Practice means joining a profession that has never been as important and relevant as it is today. You’ll help ensure the integrity and transparency of the capital markets – maintaining the confidence that is essential for the markets to function. You’ll not only gain a real sense of purpose from the work you’ll do, you will also have access to the inner workings of some of the largest organizations in the world, enabling you to develop a broad business perspective.

The majority of incoming candidates at KPMG will participate in our traditional Audit program, with its proven success rates in developing highly competent, in-demand professionals. Candidates in this program will continue to be eligible to join the tax or advisory functions after completing their practical training - all of which makes KPMG's audit function the first step in countless career opportunities to come.

Working within audit provides a strong foundation and is an excellent first step in starting your professional career. As a member of the audit team at KPMG in Canada, you will have the opportunity to work directly with some of today's leading companies, understand their processes, and help them meet evolving financial reporting standards and regulations.

During your time with audit at KPMG, you will encounter new learning opportunities every day! While being supported by your engagement teams, mentors, and peers, you will further enhance your:

• Analytical skills
• Project management skills
• Leadership skills
• Time management
• Communication

When you join audit at KPMG, you will be enrolled in the CPA Study Program which will prepare you for your CFE and guide you throughout your CPA journey from day one. You will be supported through many avenues including bootcamps, case writing coaching and mentorship.

As you move through your career at our firm, KPMG continues to offer many development and learning opportunities. Within audit, you will have the chance to explore different areas of the firm through secondments within another function. There are also global secondment opportunities in which you can travel to another KPMG office and work within their audit practice.

We also recognize that students want to be challenged with important work that has meaning and impact, while also having greater flexibility to navigate their careers. To address these needs, we offer students the opportunity to participate in Avenues, a program designed for graduates as they enter the early stages of their careers. The program will allow you to gain different experiences across our Audit and assurance, Tax, Advisory, and Business Enablement Services practices as you work towards your professional designation and consider a specialization. This program is currently running in our Calgary and Greater Vancouver Area offices.

KPMG offers audit services to a variety of clients within different industries. The industry areas you may work in will depend on the KPMG office location. There are opportunities to work with public, private, and not-for-profit clients.

Some of the industries in which KPMG clients operate include:

• Industrial markets
• Technology
• Media
• Telecommunications

• Financial services
• Energy and natural resources
• Real estate
• Consumer and retail

A typical day will vary with each client you work with. No two days will look the same!

At the beginning of a client engagement, you will receive a work allocation of all the tasks that you need to complete before the end of fieldwork. As you complete your tasks, you will be supported by your peers, mentors, and members of your engagement team through collaboration and teamwork.

As a junior audit staff member, the main sections you will work through within the engagement include (but are not limited to):

• Cash
• Accounts receivable
• Accounts payable
• Fixed assets
• Expenses
• Support your engagement team members with other areas of the engagement file

As you continue to grow and learn at KPMG, your tasks will increase in complexity.

Through your work, you will have the opportunity to create meaningful connections with a variety of clients as you work together to solve problems and complete the audit.

If you are interested in learning more about what a career in audit could look like, check out our Experience a Day with KPMG in Canada program! This virtual, self-guided program is an opportunity for you to hear from KPMG employees, learn valuable and transferable skills that are beneficial for a career in audit, and explore this potential career path.