2026 Advisory Industrial Placement Programme in Manchester

A bit about us: Big enough to matter. Personal enough to care. That’s BDO. Ready for a year of learning that goes beyond the classroom? Kick-start a meaningful, impactful career with a year-long BDO Industrial Placement – which could even lead to a graduate role offer. The programme starts on Monday, 21st September 2026 for a firm-wide induction (you need to be able to attend).

You’ll work with real responsibility and purpose, across a variety of companies, clients, and projects. Surrounded by talented, passionate people, you’ll explore your strengths, discover what excites you, and build skills that matter. All in a team that’s invested in helping you succeed.

And a bit about Advisory and our Mergers and Acquisitions team: Our Mergers and Acquisitions team provides the advice and support that enables organisations on both sides of a transaction to make the right decisions that help them succeed. The team provides corporates, private equity houses and other clients with a full suite of services advising on acquisitions, divestments, buy-outs and capital raisings. Join them and you’ll work on some of the world’s most exciting financial operations and business deals, building your experience and expertise alongside the brightest minds in the industry.

For your placement you will be a Research Assistant assisting in the delivery of business development campaigns and provide focussed desktop research of public record information. As a Research Assistant, you’ll be expected to gain experience and understanding of the field of corporate finance and delivering business development campaigns.

As for you: You’re curious, resilient and adaptable. You think logically, enjoy problem-solving, and want to make a difference. You bring energy and a willingness to learn – we’ll support you to build the rest. We’re also big on collaboration, so we’ll help you grow your communication and relationship-building skills. And we’ll expect you to be committed to making the most of every opportunity.

Join us in our Manchester hub. 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.

Salary is £25,200 per annum.

Is it for you? To apply, you’ll need:

• To be a second-year student on a four-year undergraduate degree, seeking a third-year work placement
• On track for a minimum 2:2 degree in any discipline (finance related preferable)
• Three A-levels or equivalent at grades A*-C (excluding General Studies and Extended Projects) or four Scottish Advanced Highers at grade A-B. Please note we do not use UCAS points. You’ll be asked to provide evidence if you’re successful in securing a placement with us.
• GCSEs at grade 4 and above in Maths and English, or Scottish National 5 grade A - C
• The right to work in the UK

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 and interview.

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.