KPMG turns knowledge into value for its clients and a job into an enjoyable and rewarding experience for staff.

The evidence from our survey is overwhelming. KPMG gains an 80% positive score for employees having fun with workmates. They say their job is good for their own personal growth (82%) and the experience they gain is valuable for their future (83%), the second and third highest scores respectively among big firms.

There are also more tangible rewards. Last year the average staff bonus was more than £8,000, nearly 1,000 employees won awards for their hard work and more than 900 participated in the accountancy firm’s emerging leaders programme.

Development never stops at KPMG. Staff receive an average of 18 days of training a year, and all partners are required to have personal development plans. This and the prospect of climbing the career ladder keeps staff stimulated (75%) and makes them feel their job is secure (79%). Just one big company boasts a greater sense of job security among its employees — and that confidence does not appear to be misplaced as evidenced by the 1,279 promotions announced last October.

The philosophy here is one of working together. Work/life balance is embedded in the company’s UK code of conduct — one person on the board in Britain works flexibly. KPMG grants 98% of requests for changes in working patterns, a third of which come from men.

Not complacent after last year’s win in this contest, there are new policies to enhance already impressive employment practices. These include the launch of a “retaining talented women” programme, the creation of faith and contemplation rooms for use by all staff, and the company’s first open forum for gay, lesbian and bisexual employees. This results in good retention rates — more than 1,600 workers have put in at least 10 years’ service.

Staff, based in 32 UK offices, think the firm is run on strong principles and say colleagues care a lot about each other (scoring 81% for both, with the latter a top score among big companies).

Last year employees contributed 30,000 hours of volunteering. The audit and tax experts win a 79% positive score for supporting staff in their efforts to help good causes outside the business.

Among the flexible benefits available are childcare vouchers, family medical insurance and the opportunity to buy/sell holiday. Fancy a job here? Staff would strongly recommend it (81%).

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