The best of all worlds

We’d be forgiven for thinking that in life, you can’t have it all. Somewhere down the line sacrifices need to be made to achieve what you’re striving for. But it doesn’t need to be like that.

What if you want a high-flying career without having to leave the island?

What if you want a degree-level qualification without the hefty student debt?

What if you want to start a family without putting your career on hold?

Turn those “what ifs” into reality with a career at KPMG in the Crown Dependencies.

A culture of thriving

We know that island life is uniquely special. With offices in the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey, safe communities, short commutes, and long summers on the beach are a way of life. The quality of life here is unparalleled and there’s no need to leave the island to achieve your career goals.

Take trainee Audit Assistant Gabrielle Divall, for example. Rather than go to university, she chose to stay in the Isle of Man to pursue a career in accounting.

“I was nervous coming straight from school, thinking I was not mature or experienced enough for the role I had applied for. However, I soon left those fears behind. The KPMG trainee system meant that I was part of a large intake with great people who made me feel welcome. I have achieved far more than I thought I could in 18 months, having just four more exams left until being an ACA exam qualified accountant”, says Gabrielle.

“I feel like I’ve been given opportunities to grow and to continue growing as an individual with KPMG through regular training, responsibilities and networking, which I feel incredibly lucky to have had the option to do. The opportunity is there for school leavers on-island, my advice would be to take it!”

For Gabrielle, it made sense to stay put and work towards her professional qualifications, rather than be plunged into student debt by pursuing an undergraduate degree.

While hearsay tells us how a university education is often the best route to a fulfilling life and career, at KPMG we take pride in giving our people a viable and often more fruitful alternative.

Our Head of People, Lynsey Harris describes how new trainees can receive the best of all worlds when they join us.

“We cover study and exam fees for all our trainees – be they in audit, tax, or advisory”, says Lynsey.

“We have a culture at KPMG of enabling our people to learn for a lifetime, so we’re happy to provide that balance of learning whilst earning and still having the time to enjoy island life to the full”.

Our people’s wellbeing is as important to us as it is to them. So we make sure to provide them with the resources they need to be able to thrive with us.

A flexible approach

But not everyone thrives in the same way. As individuals we all have our own unique circumstances to consider. It’s impossible to fit us all into the same box, though some employers may try.

At KPMG, we encourage our people – via our Intelligent Working policy – to have those conversations with us and work out the most mutually beneficial way to approach their job.

Be that through the option to work from home for two days a week – or more if approved. Or the possibility to work more remotely if your circumstances change.

Becoming a new parent – for example – is often considered one of those life events which inevitably puts your career on hold.

But we don’t see it that way.

Katie Kneale is a Senior Tax Manager in our Isle of Man office, and the parent of a two-year-old. She describes how our Intelligent Working policy allows her the time to care for her daughter, without having to give up her career ambitions.

“Under our Intelligent Working policy, I have been able to flex the hours and days that I work to fit around caring for my daughter. With both parents working that can be invaluable, especially as a new parent trying to fit around childcare. Those needs have changed over time as my daughter gets older and starts nursery, and KPMG have supported me throughout. Flexible working hours combined with the ability to work from home means that I can still give my best to KPMG and our clients, whilst making time for my family”.

We’re a people-oriented business at KPMG in the Crown Dependencies. We believe that by creating a culture that enables each of us to thrive – and giving them chance of a high quality of life – good things will happen.

If you’re interested in joining a company where you can thrive and do work that matters, visit kpmg.ws/ Careers to find out more.