Careers at RSM
RSM Global operates as an international network of accountancy experts covering tax, audit and consultancy services. It employs around 48,000 people across 820 offices in over 120 countries.
Its UK arm, RSM UK, has some 3,650 employees and every year welcomes applications to its graduate programmes. These paid three year placements offer the support and training needed to launch a career in finance whilst working towards a professional qualification.
RSM runs graduate programmes across all its core business areas:
- Accounting and business advisory
- Consulting
- Corporate finance
- External audit
- Fraud
- Risk assurance and internal audit
- IT
- Payroll
- Restructuring advisory
- Tax
- Technology and management consulting
- Technology risk
Candidates from all degree backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as RSM cites personality, originality and passion as its core criteria. Academic achievement will of course be considered, and whilst it does not need to be subject specific, you will need an awarded or predicted honours degree.
You'll also need to perform competitively in the selection process, as RSM receives a high number of applications for each graduate intake.
RSM Application Process
RSM opens its graduate intake each September, but it's important to note that vancanicies close as soon as a suitable candidate is found, so you need to get your application in as early as possible.
The firm will only accept one application per candidate per intake, so you should also take care to review the posts available, and pick the one best matched to your skills and ambitions.
Once you've chosen the role that's right for you, you'll complete four stages of selection provided you're successful at each one.
RSM Online Application
The first step is to complete an online application via the RSM website. Here you'll fill out basic information like name and contact details, and answer some screening questions on your academic achievements and work experience to date.
It's important your application is well polished and tailored to the specific job role. Where possible, use examples to demonstrate your strengths, and be sure to show you've done your research on the company.
The whole process should take around 30 minutes to complete, and RSM aims to inform all candidates on the success of their application within five working days.
RSM Aptitude Tests
Stage two is a series of online assessments that test your numerical and verbal aptitude, and your situational judgement skills.
RSM uses adaptive assessments from the test publisher Cappfinity. This means that the better you perform the harder the test becomes - and vice versa.
You'll have seven days from receiving your invite to complete your online assessments.
RSM Verbal Reasoning Test
The RSM verbal reasoning test is issued to ensure you have the language skills and verbal comprehension to work effectively within a professional setting.
As RSM uses Cappfinity, the test is somewhat different from others on the market, making use of five different question types that measure particular skills.
Your understanding of context will be tested through drop down questions that ask you to fill in sentence gaps, whilst drag and drop questions look at your understanding of appropriate tone. You'll also rank statements in order of positive sentiment, and analyse text for grammatical errors.
The last question type is what you'd commonly expect from a verbal reasoning test, with passages of text to evaluate and draw logical conclusions from.
RSM Numerical Reasoning Test
Regardless of the business area you're applying to, you'll be expected to have a high level of numerical aptitude, which is why RSM issues candidates with a numerical reasoning test.
Again, as it's published by Cappfinity, it takes a slightly different approach. Unlike most numerical reasoning tests there is no time limit. However, the time you take on each question will be taken into account, and you may find them slightly more complex, particularly if you're doing well as the test will get naturally harder in response.
Questions involve data sets presented in tables, charts and graphs, but you'll have three different ways to express conclusions based on that data - multiple choice, ranked responses and free form, where you'll input a specific answer.
RSM Situational Judgement Test
The situational judgement test looks at your ability to assess a given situation and take the most appropriate course of action.
You'll be shown various hypothetical scenarios that closely mirror those you'd encounter as an RSM employee. For each, you'll be given a series of potential responses to the scenario, and you'll need to rank these from the action you'd most likely take to the action you'd avoid.
Strong situational judgement relates to your problem solving ability, and your test results give RSM an indication of how well you'd fulfil your responsibilities, as well as the extent to which your working style fits with its organisational culture.
Unlike the numerical and verbal aptitude tests, there are no definitive right answers, nor is it adaptive. You should evaluate each scenario objectively and rank your responses with honesty.
RSM Online Video Assessment
The next stage for successful candidates is an online video assessment - or more specifically, a pre-recorded video interview. You'll be sent a link to this and will need to record and upload answers to a series of interview questions.
What RSM is looking to understand at this point is more about your achievements and motivations. It's also your first real chance to let your personality shine through.
The reviewing panel will be looking for a natural response, so try to avoid scripted answers. That's not to say you shouldn't prepare though. Just like you would for any interview, consider what you might be asked and how your past experience sets you up for future success.
RSM Virtual Assessment Centre
The fourth and final stage is a virtual assessment centre hosted on the Microsoft Teams platform. You'll be sent a schedule for this prior to the day, as well as everything you need to know about joining a Microsoft Teams meeting.
The tasks you'll take part in will vary from role to role, but typically include a group exercise and interviews with team managers and partners.
In the group exercise, you may work in a small team with others on the call, reviewing a case study to formulate an evaluation of a situation or a potential solution. You'll then present your findings to other attendees.
Both interviews will delve deeper into your career ambitions, and why you consider yourself to be a strong candidate. Make sure you're armed with plenty of examples of how you'll bring value to RSM and the team you'll be joining.
There'll also be an introductory presentation to RSM and plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions. Show enthusiasm by getting involved and use the time wisely to make sure this is indeed the career opportunity for you.
