Moore Stephens

Moore Stephens LLP belongs to Moore Stephens International, a leading international and consulting association comprised of 647 offices in 98 countries. The firm’s philosophy is to respond to clients’ needs whenever required, without growing for the growing’s sake. Despite this, the firm has vastly increased in size since it was founded in 1907, both through organic growth and mergers with smaller firms. So while it may not be a Big Four firm, it’s still big – the 11th biggest firm in the UK and the 8th biggest in London.

The firm has a significant international client base and provides advice on a range of sectors. However, Moore Stephens has had a close association with the maritime industry since it first began to act for Greek shipping companies, in the 1930s. The firm currently provides compliance and advisory services to a significant part of the global shipping community. Apart from high seas focussed clients, the firm also targets corporate and high net-worth individuals.

Moore Stephens offers a variety of services to clients, including audit and assurance, corporate finance, financial services, forensic accounting, insolvency, IT consultancy and legal services, risk advisory and law. The firm looks at audit and assurance – not just as box-ticking compliance, but as value-adding services – while risk management is viewed as a way to proactively identify business opportunities. Indeed, in 2007, revenues from non-audit outstripped the traditional areas of audit and accounting, as its corporate finance division recorded stellar growth.

If Moore Stephens sounds like the firm for you, note that although it boasts 44 offices nationwide, the largest batches of trainees are recruited into in the capital, Guildford and Enfield.

Practice numerical tests and verbal tests used by actual employers.

Only candidates who have achieved at least a 2:1 and 300+ UCAS points need apply, as Moore Stephens makes it crystal clear: “If you do not meet our criteria we will be unable to consider your application”. The London office takes graduates in its five key divisions – audit services group, business tax, private clients and public sector groups. Audit services group recruits the largest number, so that’s your best bet if you want to play the numbers game.

Wannabe trainees submit an application form online and successful candidates are invited to a recruitment morning at the firm’s offices. This will include presentations on the firm, a group exercise, interviews and an opportunity to speak to existing trainees.

Those who gain a place as a trainee with Moore Stephens study towards membership of either the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) or ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland). Tutorials are held at external colleges, in one or two week blocks – interspersed with time back in the office. Moore Stephens trainees also undertake six weeks of intensive training to develop business, personal and technical skills.

Stats

No. of employees in the UK: 1,500+

Departments

Audit
Business support & outsourcing
Corporate Finance
Employers' support
Forensic Accounting
FSA compliance
Governance, Risk & Assurance
Insurance Broking
IT consultancy
Personal debt solutions
Restructuring & Insolvency
Tax - Business
Tax - Private Client
Tax investigations
VAT
Wealth management