Choosing a Grad Programme? Four questions to ask yourself first

Allocating graduates to the right departments is crucial for both the firm and for you. If you’re unsure, start by reflecting on your studies, internships, or extracurricular activities. What gave you the most energy?

Remeber that early career choices aren’t set in stone — mobility within professional services is common — so think of your first placement as a starting point, not a final destination.

• For Audit, attention to detail, logical reasoning, and numerical skills are especially valuable.
• In Consulting or Advisory, some key traits include analytical thinking, problem-solving, and strong communication.
• And usually, people with analytical skills, precision, and process-oriented skills thrive in Tax.

Of course, these qualities overlap, which is why it’s worth pausing to consider what suits you now, and where you’d like to grow professionally.

At BDO, our conversations with students are designed to be supportive, insightful, and empowering. We explore their backgrounds and interests, and talk through which projects or subjects they’ve enjoyed most. From there, we share real-world examples of what each department does — the projects, teams and client work — to help them imagine themselves in those environments.

Elena Connolly, Head of People & Culture, BDO Ireland

I’ve always been the person who asks “why” five times too many—so problem-solving and understanding how businesses tick just felt natural. Studying accounting and finance gave me the perfect mix of logic, challenge, and real-world impact. What sealed my confidence? Shadowing a mentor who showed me how these skills actually drive big decisions every day. 

Christina Chittilappilly, Audit Trainee

I chose to pursue a career in tax because, during my time in college, I found it to be the most engaging and intellectually stimulating module. Now, after nearly a year of working with the Financial Services Tax team, I am confident that I made the right decision. This realisation excites me and motivates me to fully embrace the remainder of my graduate program here at BDO.

Ciaran O'Gorman, FS Tax Trainee

At BDO, graduate development is built on a mix of formal training, on-the-job learning, and continuous feedback — a balance designed to support different learning styles. You’ll take part in induction programmes, technical courses and professional qualification support, all of which build strong foundations and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Training includes workshops, e-learning modules and webinars to suit both visual and auditory learners. From early on, you’ll be embedded in client teams, working on live projects that put classroom concepts into practice. Regular check-ins and one-to-one meetings with managers and mentors mean feedback is timely, practical and helps you keep progressing.

Take the Quiz!

At BDO, exam support is a core part of the graduate experience, says Elena Connolly, Head of People & Culture. 

You’ll receive dedicated study leave, separate from annual leave, often planned around key exam dates. Managers help you balance workloads and client commitments so your study time stays uninterrupted and stress is kept to a minimum.

You’ll also get time off on exam days, so you can focus fully and arrive rested. To help with preparation, BDO runs internal revision sessions led by qualified trainers or external tutors, focusing on exam techniques and key topics. On top of this, you’ll have access to e-learning platforms and external training providers, giving you the latest course content, mock exams and revision notes.

It's important to have good communication about your lecture timing and study plans with your team. My manager allowed flexible working hours (early start and early finish) so I could attend my live lectures.

Sara Abraham, Audit Trainee

Spotting real culture goes beyond reading the website. Pay attention to how people interact, how teams communicate, and how new joiners are supported.

During my interview, I was impressed by BDO’s support for professional exams and its encouragement for individuals to excel. From day one, I noticed how much collaboration was valued. As someone with a sports background, that really resonated with me. In my first weeks, more experienced trainees went out of their way to welcome and support us. And while there are naturally busy periods, there’s also a genuine emphasis on work-life balance, which has allowed me to keep up my sports outside work.

Jessica Clooney, FS Tax Trainee

I think I was looking for a positive atmosphere that balances hard work with a genuine sense of accomplishment. From the outset—during my interview, onboarding, and first few weeks at BDO —I noticed that BDO strikes this balance. While there is an expectation to deliver and put in effort, successes are recognised and celebrated. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on work-life balance, which made me feel supported and like I truly belonged from the start. 

Sally Ann Farrell, Audit Trainee

The bottom line...

Asking yourself the right questions and reflecting on your future can help you tune in to what matters most to you before applications even open. Whether you’re still exploring your options or starting to narrow them down, thinking clearly now gives you more confidence when the time comes to take that next step.