Risk and Governance Placement - Reading- September 2026

Step inside our world. See what we’re made of. See what you’re made of. You’ve studied the theory. This is your chance to experience the reality, to see what consulting really means and where it could take you. A 12‑month placement with RSM Consulting gives you more than experience on your CV. It’s a front‑row seat to how businesses work, change, grow and succeed. You’ll be right there, part of the team, taking it all in, not just watching, but contributing.

You’ll learn the language of business. Understand the pace of professional life. Discover what it means to work with clients who trust you to help them make big decisions. And if you’re up for it, this could be your route into our graduate programme after uni.

What is consulting, really?

Consulting is about solving problems that don’t have obvious answers, helping organisations make smarter, sharper decisions in the face of change. From tech to healthcare, retail to energy, consultants shape the way companies adapt and lead. It’s varied, fast‑paced, people‑driven and full of challenge. At RSM, we work with a huge range of clients, from start‑ups to multinationals, government departments to high‑growth private equity‑backed firms. And as a placement student, you’ll see it all up close. Really close.

What will you actually do?

You’ll support projects that matter. You’ll learn how to think critically, listen carefully and contribute meaningfully in the following solution: Risk and Governance. Helping clients stay resilient, you’ll work on identifying, managing and mitigating risk, helping them make better, more confident decisions. From governance reviews to assurance projects, this team supports clients in building stronger, safer businesses. In all our placement roles you’ll have exposure to our clients and key intermediaries, providing a solution‑focused approach to drive success for our clients and our firm. You’ll learn to deliver data‑driven, bespoke insights, value‑add assurance and high‑quality execution.

You’ll also:

• Build confidence in a professional, client‑facing environment
• Learn how different parts of a business come together
• Gain digital and analytical skills that employers value
• Be part of a diverse, collaborative team that wants to help you succeed

There’s no exam or qualification at the end. The experience is the value. But for many students, this could be the first step into a graduate offer and a long‑term consulting career.

Why choose RSM Consulting?

Because we’re not just here to show you what the working world looks like. We want you to feel part of it. We’re one of the UK’s leading professional services firms. We’re growing fast, doing things differently and building something ambitious with brilliant people who want to make an impact. People like you. We value individuality. We welcome difference. And we’ll never expect you to pretend to be anything other than yourself. At RSM, you don’t have to know everything from day one. But you do have to be ready to learn, listen and give it your best.

Who we’re looking for

This placement is ideal for students on a sandwich degree course who want to explore consulting as a career. You don’t need a background in business, just a curious mind, a collaborative spirit and the drive to get stuck in.

You’ll need:

• A predicted honours degree
• To be enrolled on a placement degree
• A minimum of 112 UCAS points from 3 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications OR 104 UCAS points across 4 Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers or Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level)

We don’t accept General Studies, AS levels or EPQs.

You might be:

• A problem‑solver who spots opportunities to improve things
• Someone who enjoys teamwork and clear communication
• Detail‑oriented but never loses sight of the big picture
• Curious about business and the role it plays in the world
• Excited – and maybe a little nervous – about stepping into a new world

The start date for this role is on 15 September 2026. Please note, our start dates are mandatory due to the internal and professional training you receive upon joining the firm, to offer you the best start to your career with us.

Join Team Consulting at RSM. See what consulting is really about. If you perform well, there’s every chance you could come back to us as a graduate. But even if you don’t, you’ll leave with something valuable; insight, experience and clarity about the kind of career you want. This is more than a year out. It’s a year ahead.

Following changes to government policy in April 2024, we only accept applications from individuals with an existing, permanent, right to live and work in the UK for this role.

Disclaimer: RSM will only take one application into consideration per recruitment cycle. We do not accept multiple applications to different vacancies.