Accounting/Finance Graduate Trainee Program

BDO East Africa (BDO EA) is a centrally managed network of offices, including one in Kenya (Nairobi), that is part of the global BDO International network.

They offer a range of professional services, including audit, tax, business advisory, and business services and outsourcing, with a focus on serving businesses across East Africa. BDO EA has a long-standing presence in the region, having been active in Kenya since 1996.

Roles and responsibilities

Leadership Excellence & Employee Excellence:

• Take on challenges and see assigned tasks to completion
• Build new relationships with BDO professionals in other lines of business
• Help new hires (including interns) integrate, guide them on work processes and procedures and make them feel like part of the team
• Communicate ideas/opinions and information to the team and listen/respond to other team member’s views
• Accept constructive feedback given by seniors and use it to guide future actions

Growth & Profitability:

• Obtain basic understanding of how the firm generates revenue and act in consideration of how to positively impact the firm

Market Focus & Client Centricity:

• Explain the Firm’s service offerings to clients or other contacts
• Articulate BDO’s value proposition and understand the Firm’s target market/client profile
• Assist in developing draft proposals, clearly and concisely, incorporating proper punctuation and correct usage of grammar
• Follow up on assigned clients for outstanding information as requested by the engagement manager
• Develop an understanding of processes assigned by conducting interviews and desktop research. Apply appropriate principles and standards to reach and support conclusions related to assigned areas
• Research and communicate on current Issues relating to different client sectors
• Obtain needed information from available client data and conduct appropriate client data analysis
• Review client practices within an assigned area of responsibility and refer possible problems and solutions to team leader quickly
• Promptly respond to client requests
• Effectively and proactively utilize basic capabilities of technology tools and other firm standard technologies to perform and document work in assigned areas
• Undertake engagement responsibilities as set out in the BDO manual
• Proactively suggest ways to improve own performance/approach to work and client service delivery
• Develop understanding of service offerings within and across lines of service to identify opportunities to meet client needs
• Assist the line manager in performing ad-hoc related work as assigned.
• Assist in developing client presentations, reports and other written deliverables clearly and concisely, incorporating proper punctuation and correct usage of grammar

Operational Excellence:

• Assist in planning assignments and documenting work done
• Collaborate with team members to plan engagements and develop work program timelines, risk assessments, and other planning requirements

Quality Risk & Compliance

• Understand BDO methodology and work procedures
• Execute assignments in line with BDO methodology, quality standards and approach
• Assist the Senior in charge and/or the engagement manager with gathering sufficient appropriate information about the business and engagement to form an adequate basis for the preparation of the assignment strategy
• Produce quality deliverables on the first attempt, avoiding negligent errors, with guidance and feedback from the engagement manager and partner
• Know the quality standards of the firm and the connection with professional risk
• Comply with all applicable laws, professional regulations, and firm policies/procedures

Skills and Competencies/ Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance related subject (or equivalent qualification)
• Finalist or in advanced stages of professional qualification (CA, CPA or ACCA)
• Good communication skills – both written and oral English
• Proactive with staff and clients and able to work under pressure to meet client expectations and deadlines
• Proactive in improving skills through training