Hardwin Jones, 29 April 2005

The Big Four accountancy firms have all reported successful graduate recruitment seasons so far.

The Big Four's success is testament to the effectiveness of the high profile marketing activities they employ on campus, which have included - at the most extravagant - the flying of blimps by KPMG, and the illumination of university buildings with their logo by PwC.

Such initiatives, as well as the rationalisation of the dotcom sector (which has reached sensible levels after its 2000-01 spike and crash) are credited with making the accountancy sector once again an attractive and desirable destination for the brightest graduates. Firms also cite the fact that in the wake of the dotcom bust, candidates are realising the benefits of securing credible professional qualifications as the basis for their careers.

To give some further figures on graduate recruitment by the Big Four (again, supplied by AccountancyAge), this year 10,000 applied to Deloitte, of which 3,000 were interviewed, and 1,200 were offered jobs. PwC’s offer acceptance rate was 95%, KPMG’s was 90% (up from 87% last year) and Ernst & Young’s 85% (from 16,000 applicants).

The firms say that they are seeing increasing focus from applicants who are streetwise about getting applications in early, and making use of opportunities such as placements, internships and CV doctor services.

Firms also highlight the importance, in terms of attracting candidates to them, of drawing attention to their corporate social responsibility practises and policies; and say they feel particularly under scrutiny in these regards in the wake of the various audit scandals over the last few years.

The message seems to be that the outlook is positive for the sector; and that its heightening profile means increased demand and competition for candidates.