Accountancy and business advisory firm BDO is welcoming 19 new trainees to its Leeds office, with 600 joining nationwide.

The trainees will be a combination of school leaver apprentices and university graduates, with nearly half joining the firm’s audit practice.

The majority of new trainees will have the opportunity to undertake a level-7 apprenticeship programme, resulting in a qualification equivalent to a master’s degree.

This year, the firm has also hired over 50 industrial placement students to join BDO for 12 months between their second and third year of university, as well as 70 summer interns. As part of its commitment to increasing diversity in the profession, BDO also runs targeted insight programmes aimed at school or college students from lower socio-economic backgrounds and university students from a black heritage.

Applications for the firm’s 2023 graduate and school leaver apprentice programmes will open later this month, with more than 700 positions available nationwide and 20 based in Yorkshire.

Paul Davies, partner in Yorkshire & Humber, said: “We’re delighted to welcome this year’s intake of trainees – a group of talented individuals who join us from a variety of backgrounds, whether they’re school leavers, or university graduates. As a firm, we believe in the importance of providing career opportunities and pathways that enable young people from all walks of life to access a vibrant and exciting profession, such as accountancy. The success of our graduate and school leaver apprentice programmes is testament to that continued investment and the commitment of everyone involved.

“The education of young people has undoubtedly been severely disrupted in the last few years, with both school leavers and graduates having to navigate learning and examinations in very challenging circumstances. Each and every one of them should be extremely proud of their achievements and we look forward to supporting them on what will hopefully be a long and successful career journey at BDO.”