Alex Tait

The leading audit, tax and consulting firm has recruited 39 new recruits across five Scottish offices, including 35 graduates and one school leaver, highlighting a more than double increase on last year’s total trainee intake.

Nationally the firm recruited almost 600 new recruits – almost doubling the numbers when compared to last year’s total trainee intake. The firm’s recruitment policy also runs counter to the national trend as university leavers compete for 24% fewer roles this year compared to last as businesses reduce the number of available graduate positions post-pandemic.

In contrast, RSM UK has increased its graduate intake by 53% on the previous year and 65% when compared to pre-pandemic levels.

RSM UK has also increased its intake of school leavers by taking on 103 this calendar year, up by 47% from the 70 who joined last year. This demonstrates RSM UK’s focus on attracting more who choose a career in professional services straight from school as an alternative to attending university.

The record intake is part of RSM UK’s strategic intention to strengthen the firm from within its own ranks, and over the long term, to help become first choice advisers to middle market leaders globally. The trainees are based throughout the UK and spread across the audit, corporate finance, risk, restructuring advisory, financial reporting and IT teams.

Alex Tait, RSM UK’s regional managing partner for Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “The jobs market is extremely competitive for young people, and this has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. I am glad we are able to offer a first step on the career ladder to so many bright, intelligent and hardworking individuals at what is, an exceptionally challenging time. While the past year and a half has been difficult for everyone we have continued to invest and our business grew through the pandemic.

“We offer equality of opportunity to start and grow a career at RSM. We have expanded our graduate and in particular our school leaver intake to broaden our pool of talent including working with social mobility charity Leadership Through Sport & Business to recruit talented, ambitious young people at the start of their career journey. Supporting them to become our future leaders forms a major part of our long-term strategy.”

The new recruits will be supported in studying for their professional ACA, AAT, ATT, ICAS, ACCA, CIA or CTA accountancy qualifications and will also benefit from a comprehensive internal development programme focused on developing a broad range of skills and supporting wellbeing.

Victoria Kirkhope, people partner at RSM UK, added: “We’re delighted to welcome our 2021 trainee group. RSM is a great place to start your career and an exciting environment within which to progress. Our people come from a range of backgrounds and bring with them a range of experiences, and they are truly the heart of our business. Those who join us can expect a supportive and collaborative culture where our people are afforded variety, autonomy, and the space to learn and grow. I wish every one of our new trainees a long and rewarding career with us.”

RSM UK offers trainees a range of further opportunities from technical development to participation in charitable activity, and sponsorship of the Duke of Edinburgh Gold award.