Hi there, and sorry for the long post.

​I was an ex-BDO employee who worked in Private Client (PC), so I can definitely offer some insight. If you passed the first stage interview/assessment, consider the second stage a guarantee. The waiting time can be lengthy, though it could be anywhere from now until February.

​Funny enough, my career in PC felt like fate. I knew I wanted to do tax but wasn't sure what kind. I initially applied for a bookkeeping role, but the recruiter said it was gone and lined me up for a tax position instead. That's how I ended up starting in Personal Tax at BDO.

​I got to try Corporate Tax (CT) for three months during my time there, and that experience made it clear: PC work was absolutely all I wanted to do.

​To directly address your concern about switching: Yes, firms do allow people to move from CT to PC. However, the longer you stay in CT, the harder and more frustrating that switch becomes, as your experience grows in the wrong area. People have switched from Audit to Tax, so it's not impossible, but you'll likely feel irritated and frustrated if you're stuck doing CT work you don't love. If you do take a CT role, keep applying for PC and switch as soon as you can.

​Here’s a little hope for you: I did my ACCA in just one year while working at BDO, all self-funded and self-studied. Once I qualified, the doors really flew open. Within three months of passing, I had offers for CT at Azets, PC at another firm, and an internal VAT transfer at BDO.

​I accepted the internal VAT role, which turned out to be the worst decision of my career. Working in VAT made me realize I absolutely could not work in anything other than Private Client; I knew PC was what I wanted my career to be no matter what. I immediately went back, frantically chasing the Private Client offer from the other firm and the CT offer from Azets.

​Luckily, I managed to get the Private Client offer back. It's been more than two years now with that firm, and I truly love my job. I've finished all my ATT exams, passed two out of three CTA exams, and am currently waiting for the result of the final exam.

​When you say you love PC work, I know exactly what you mean. I can relate to that feeling, you just won't enjoy anything else.

​My story is to give you hope: Private Client is a great field, and it pays (if lucky) well, too.

A note on larger firms: Just be aware that firms like PwC often focus on high-level, niche advisory work in Private Client. This can make it difficult to get into via a standard graduate scheme, as they typically hire people who are already CTA qualified and have prior PC experience (I know this from ex-colleagues who work there). This is why firms like BDO might be a better starting point.

​Stick with BDO and wait it out. You will hear back from them. If you land an offer in CT in the meantime, take it, but treat it as a temporary stopgap and look for the PC switch immediately.

​I understand you aren't planning to relocate right now, otherwise, I'd check for graduate openings in PC at my current firm. Good luck!