KPMG Military Leavers Programme

The Military Leavers Programme has been tapping into the rich stream of talent coming from the Armed Forces for over three years, adding 75 Service Leavers to KPMG’s ranks. They have landed roles in all corners of the business, both client-facing and internal. You don’t have to be a trained accountant to work in an accounting firm! The Programme has so far had a 100% conversion rate onto permanent contracts, which is a clear reflection of the high quality of joiners and the positive impact they have made with their teams.

Importantly, KPMG’s programme differs from others in that it does not have formal intakes but instead matches up individuals with opportunities that already exist in the business. They endeavour to marry up the right people to appropriate roles, which enables Service Leavers to have an immediate impact and deliver straight away. The Programme offers invaluable experience and value-add for your CV by working at one of the Big Four, all whilst being paid.

Jen Page joined KPMG after serving twelve years in the Army’s Intelligence Corps, leaving at the rank of Major and having a career that led her into the world of surveillance and culminated in the command of her own Task Force on operations in Afghanistan. She left having thoroughly enjoyed her time in the Army, but sought more day-to-day stability and had completed the ‘big ticket’ command positions, so felt it was the right time to consider a new career. Jen used her ELC on a distance learning MSc in Forensic Accounting, which she saw as a step towards reinventing herself as a financial crime subject matter expert. Additionally, Jen attended transition workshops laid on by the CTP, which she found incredibly useful for tailoring her CV. In looking forward, she saw KPMG as a company that ticked a number of important boxes:

This saw her join the KPMG Military Leavers Programme in 2015, initially in the Corporate Intelligence team, although she soon secured a permanent role with Forensic Investigations and Compliance for Financial Services and has ended up in the Financial Crime Technology team with a promotion to Senior Manager.

Jabari White served on the other side of the Atlantic, commissioning into the United States Army as an Armour Officer in 2004. He soon deployed to Iraq as a reconnaissance platoon leader, running counter-insurgency operations and mentoring host nation security forces. In June 2006, Jabari was severely wounded in an insurgent IED attack, but after fourteen months of recovery returned to the 101st Airborne Division and retrained as a Military Intelligence Officer. In 2010, he deployed to Eastern Afghanistan and subsequently retired as a Captain in 2012.

After leaving the US Army, Jabari spent nearly four years working at the heart of American politics in Washington. He then found himself living in the UK after completing his Masters Degree at the London School of Economics and decided to join the Military Leavers Programme after finding everyone he met at a City Veterans’ Network event at HMS President welcoming, friendly and open about their experiences working at the Firm. He started the role of Executive Assistant in Deal Advisory in summer 2018, recognising one of KPMG’s key differentiators from many other Service Leaver programmes: “I found it hugely refreshing how the Firm doesn’t have a quota system in bringing on veterans – it’s all about the quality of the individual and the value they can bring to the organisation.”

Jen and Jabari both agree that there are a huge number of transferrable skills from the military that have been useful in their new roles. Jen highlights the communication skills that Service Leavers possess as a real strength in consulting: “The fact I am willing to pick up a phone and call someone, or track them down at their desk, can surprise people.” Jabari picks out leadership skills, ability to negotiate and manage projects: “In my opinion, there is no better organisation than the military that trains leaders.”

KPMG’s Military Leavers Programme and Forces in the Firm Network provided both Jen and Jabari with excellent opportunities to support their transition to the corporate sector. Jen says that “the bespoke nature of the programme has enabled me to find a role I truly enjoy and a career I am proud of”. Jabari agrees: “I highly recommend KPMG to Service Leavers as there is such a wide range of avenues to finding a role that is a great fit, thereby allowing us to bring maximum value to the Firm.”