How to get a job at KPMG

KPMG is one of the Big Four professional services firms with around 18,000 employees across the UK. The firm provides audit, tax, and advisory services to major corporations, mid-market businesses, and public sector organisations across diverse sectors including financial services, technology, energy, and healthcare. KPMG's UK presence is centred in London with significant offices across Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and other major cities, enabling the firm to serve clients right across the country.

KPMG is recognised as a leader in digital transformation and technology-enabled advisory services. The firm has invested significantly in capabilities around cloud, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data analytics, helping clients navigate increasingly complex technology landscapes. KPMG operates with a purpose of "Inspire Confidence. Empower Change"—a commitment reflected in its approach to client relationships, innovation, and social responsibility. The organisation has been instrumental in helping clients address emerging challenges including regulatory change, digital disruption, and sustainability transitions.

As an organisation, KPMG places strong emphasis on its people and their development. The firm offers clear progression pathways, investment in professional qualifications, and opportunities to work on diverse and challenging assignments. KPMG is committed to building an inclusive culture where talented people from all backgrounds can build rewarding careers. The firm regularly invests in new areas of expertise and encourages innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.

Most roles at KPMG are office-based or hybrid, with teams typically splitting time between their London, UK offices and remote working. The day usually starts with team stand-ups or check-ins, followed by focused project work. Collaboration is a significant part of the role — expect cross-functional meetings, client interactions, and working alongside colleagues from different departments throughout the day. The rhythm varies by team, but most people find a mix of heads-down work and collaborative sessions. Peak periods (month-end, quarter-end, project deadlines) can mean longer hours, but the day-to-day pace is generally manageable.

With 236,000+ globally employees globally, KPMG is a large organisation — but that doesn't mean you'll feel like a number. Individual teams are typically 8–20 people with their own culture and working style. The advantage of scale is breadth: you'll have access to diverse projects, international colleagues, and resources that smaller companies can't match. The trade-off is that decision-making can be slower and navigating the organisation takes time to learn.

The culture at KPMG shapes how the day feels beyond just the work itself. Colleagues describe the environment as one that values Commercial acumen and Problem-solving excellence. Lunch breaks, team socials, and informal catch-ups are part of the rhythm — KPMG recognises that building relationships across the organisation is as important as the deliverables themselves. Most employees report that the people are one of the best things about working here, and that the team dynamic makes challenging work feel manageable.

Career progression at KPMG follows a relatively clear path for most roles. Promotions typically depend on demonstrating increased responsibility, deeper expertise, and leadership capability — whether that's leading teams, managing clients, or driving technical innovation. The organisation values both specialist depth and the ability to take on broader management responsibilities, so there are usually multiple progression routes available. Don't assume you need to move into management to advance — many big 4 organisations increasingly recognise and reward technical and specialist career paths.

KPMG supports employee development through a combination of on-the-job learning, internal training programmes, and access to external courses. The level of formal L&D investment varies by team and seniority, but most roles include opportunities for skills development and professional growth. If structured development matters to you, ask about the specific training budget and programmes available for your role during the interview process. While formal mentoring programmes may vary across departments, the culture generally encourages learning from more experienced colleagues. Building relationships with senior team members is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your development — seek out people whose career trajectory you admire and ask them for advice regularly.

For professional services & consulting professionals, KPMG offers exposure to projects and challenges that build a strong CV whether you stay long-term or move on after a few years. The skills and experience you gain — particularly around Commercial acumen and Problem-solving excellence — are transferable across the big 4 sector and beyond. Internal mobility is possible for strong performers, with opportunities to move between teams, departments, or even locations as your career develops. Many senior leaders at KPMG started in entry-level or early-career positions, which speaks to the genuine career development opportunities available.