2026 Advisory Graduate Programme - South East

A Bit About Us

Big enough to matter. Personal enough to care. That’s BDO.

Want to work on exciting deals, help businesses grow, and deliver advice that shapes futures? Welcome to the Advisory Graduate Programme at BDO.

The programme starts on Monday, 21st September 2026 for a firm-wide induction (you’ll need to be able to attend).

Advisory at BDO means variety, impact and innovation. You’ll be part of a team that combines creative and analytical thinking to solve problems in unique ways. You’ll work on projects from restructuring businesses to fraud investigations – and everything in between.

Here, your career begins with opportunities that stretch your skills, challenge your thinking and set you up for the long term.

And a Bit About Advisory

Over three years, you’ll gain real-world experience on projects that shape industries. You’ll study towards a professional qualification such as ACA, CFA, Actuarial, CISI or ICAS, all while learning directly from subject matter experts. Along the way, you’ll build management and commercial skills that take your career far beyond the ordinary.

This is a programme with progression built in – many of our advisory graduates go on to lead client projects, manage teams and craft specialist expertise. We’ll give you the tools, the network and the opportunities to build your future.

All you need to bring is curiosity, a problem-solving mindset, and a commitment to doing things right. When you complete the programme, a permanent role is waiting for you.

As for you

You’re adaptable, curious and eager to take on responsibility. You bring logical thinking, problem-solving ability and a collaborative spirit and we’ll help you develop everything else.

Join us in the following teams;

Business Services & Outsourcing Reading

Risk Advisory Services Southampton

Business Services & Outsourcing Guildford

One thing to note: you’ll need to live within a commutable distance of the office you apply to. Relocation support is not provided, so please consider this carefully before applying. Time in the office matters; for your learning, for building relationships, and for being part of our culture.

Is it for you? To apply, you’ll need:

• A minimum 2:2 degree in any discipline (obtained or predicted)
• Three A-levels, all at grade C and above (excluding General Studies and Extended Projects), or four Scottish Advanced Highers at grade A-B (or equivalent, e.g., BTEC Extended Diploma). Please note: we do not use UCAS points. You’ll be asked to provide evidence if you’re successful in securing an offer
• GCSEs at grade 4 and above in Maths and English, or Scottish National 5 grade A-C. You’ll also need to provide evidence if successful
• Commitment to balance study and professional work
• The right to work in the UK (we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for these roles as they do not meet the current minimum salary requirements for sponsorship set by the Home Office. Applications from candidates who have their own legal right to work within the UK must cover the duration of their 3-year training contract and employment)
  
  

How The Interview Process Will Go

We want you to know what to expect, so here’s the typical process:

• Online application form.
• Online assessments (with the option to sit these in our office, where we can provide a laptop and space if you don’t have access to one).
• Video interview.
• Virtual assessment centre.
• Final interview in-person.
  
  

We’ll keep you updated at each stage and share tips to help you prepare. And just so you know: we don’t use AI in any part of our candidate screening process. Every application is reviewed by a real person.

Before you go

We’ve got 18 offices across the UK, but wherever you join us, you’ll be part of a team that cares. You’ll learn by doing, be supported by people who’ve been in your shoes, and build skills that actually matter. We’re serious about your well-being, flexible about how you work, and offer benefits that support you inside and outside of work.

Big enough to open doors. Personal enough to walk through them with you.

Go Beyond the Ordinary with BDO.

Apply now.

Our firm is distinctive because we preserve and build on the strengths of our culture and the characteristics that make us successful and different. We look for people from all kinds of backgrounds who share these same qualities.