BDO has recruited over 600 new apprentices, graduates, and placement students across the UK, with more than half based outside London. Many will have the opportunity to pursue a Level 7 apprenticeship, equivalent to a master’s degree. The firm also ran inclusion-focused programs like Explore BDO and the Black Heritage Insight program, fast-tracking students from diverse backgrounds into its apprenticeship and graduate roles. Managing partner Paul Eagland expressed pride in welcoming the new cohort and emphasised the importance of increasing access to accountancy, as his tenure comes to an end with a positive reflection on his career journey.
Carpenter Box, a South East accountancy firm, has appointed Emily Girling as senior manager at its Portsmouth office. Girling, an ICAEW chartered accountant with 11 years of experience, specialises in the not-for-profit and education sectors. She will oversee client audits and aims to develop her own portfolio of clients in the Portsmouth area. The office, which doubled its staff after a recent merger, is growing steadily. Girling expressed excitement about joining the firm, praising its client-focused approach. Carpenter Box aims to continue its expansion while maintaining a supportive work environment and high standards in client service.
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has welcomed Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ promise to recruit 5,000 new HMRC compliance officers to tackle tax evasion and avoidance. Announced at the Labour Party conference, Reeves emphasised the government’s commitment to closing tax loopholes and improving tax compliance. PCS sees this as a positive step, having long advocated for more staff to address the estimated £40 billion tax gap. Discussions between PCS and HMRC management are planned to ensure the effective integration and deployment of the new recruits, alleviating workload pressures and improving public service.
Recruitment firm Investigo has placed 180 qualified accountants, including 66 newly qualified professionals, into major firms such as Sainsbury’s and BT to fill talent gaps created during the pandemic. The firm has also supported high-growth private equity-backed companies in building specialised teams. To address experience shortages at the AVP level, Investigo continues to expand, hiring senior consultants James Berry and Emma Ridley to enhance its recruitment efforts. Investigo’s Accountancy and Finance division, led by Andy Young, plans to grow by 30% over the next year, driven by increasing demand for skilled interim and permanent staff across Europe.
