Explore all graduate advice and guidance on gradireland

An insight into the life of a Senior Manager at RSM

Choosing the right graduate programme is about finding the right fit — the place where you’ll feel supported, challenged, and able to grow. That’s why we’re heading to graduate fairs across the country, giving you the chance to meet our people and see if BDO is the right path for you.

Yet another year of success for our trainees. We are proud to celebrate Samson Daniel, who achieved 1st place in Ireland and 7th place worldwide in the ACCA AFM exams, an accomplishment that reflects his dedication, talent, and determination. This follows last year's achievement by Aahana Singh, who, as an Audit trainee, earned the same global ranking in 2024. This outstanding success is a testament to the strength and potential of the graduate talent across BDO. We spoke to Samson, trainee in our Tax team, about how he found his path into tax, the support he has received at BDO, and his advice for those considering their next step.

Choosing a graduate programme is one of the first big decisions in your career — but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Before you narrow down and make a decision, there’s real value in taking a step back. These four questions — drawn from the experiences of BDO trainees and our HR team — are designed to help you get clearer on what you want, what matters most, and how to choose a path that feels right for you.

We know that taking the first steps to building a career after graduation can be different for everyone, this is why it so important that the recruitment process is not only designed to be as accessible and inclusive as possible but also creates a platform for employees to be themselves. Our recruitment process is designed to give you the best opportunity to succeed and our highly personalised selection process will do just that. Our aim is to get to know you beyond the information listed on a CV.

Applying for a graduate programme is a meaningful step — and it’s normal to want to feel ready. To help with that, we asked some of our trainees to share what helped them most as they prepared. From practical tips to confidence boosts, these quick insights offer a useful glimpse into what the journey really looks like, right from those who’ve been there.

The BDO Graduate Programme is designed to equip trainees with the skills and experience to succeed — wherever their career takes them. For some, that means progressing through the firm into director or partner roles. For others, it means moving into industry and applying what they’ve learned to new challenges. We spoke with Tara McAreavey, a BDO Graduate Programme alumna who began her career in our Audit department and is now Financial Controller at Terex. Her journey shows how the training contract can open doors to diverse and rewarding opportunities.

Wondering what career path fits you best? This quick quiz is designed to help you explore your working style — and where it could lead. Choose your career path. Choose BDO!

Brian Hughes, FS Audit Partner, reflects on his journey from trainee to Partner at BDO Ireland

"Tax wasn’t always the obvious choice at the start of my career, but it became the perfect fit - combining technical challenge, variety, and opportunities to grow." Emmet Bates Rogers, Tax Trainee

Starting out in your career is rarely straightforward, and most of us weigh up different options before landing on the right path. For Patricia Sant’Ana, current BDO trainee, Audit quickly became the clear choice.