pro.skillsbyte

Tim Edge, partner at Deloitte in the North West, comments on the business advisory firm’s graduate recruitment programme in Manchester for pro.manchester Skillsbyte:

“Deloitte recruits graduates who have achieved high academic standards, as most of our entry-level employees must take ACA exams – which are notoriously difficult. The industry pass rate for these exams is around 60 per cent, while our first time pass rate is approximately 80 per cent.

“However, we also strive to attract confident, personable individuals who are able to build and maintain lasting working relationships, both internally and externally.

“While some of our graduate recruits have relevant degrees, around half come from backgrounds unrelated to the services we provide. They quickly learn the basics of accountancy and explore the workings of varying types of businesses by gaining hands-on experience. Building a strong set of analytical skills, new recruits become able to identify how a business works and how it could be improved. Within three years, all of our graduates have risen to assistant manager level, leading a small team and acting as the day-to-day contact for clients.

“We have an exceptionally strong retention rate for graduate recruits with many rising to become directors and partners over their time with the firm. For example, all of our North West Audit partners joined the firm as graduates.

“We have recruited 41 graduates to the Manchester office in 2010 and expect to bring in a similar number in 2011.”