ACA Apprenticeships

• What is this apprenticeship?

  Delivered under the Level 7 apprenticeship standard, our ACA training is a three year programme that includes 450 days technical work experience, 15 exams and an accredited STEPs course to structure your interpersonal development.

  Your professional training will be provided by Reed Business School, a leading centre of excellence for professional qualification tuition that offers small class sizes, expert tutors and delivers above average pass rates. It will be a mixture of residential (within government guidelines) and virtual training. This way you will be able to continue with your development no matter what.

  

• What are the teams like?

  You will discover every day is different when out on an audit as you get to travel (virtually and in person where possible) to gain exposure to all types of businesses across the South and South West. You will be providing assurance services and professional advice at a client’s premises (if possible) working in small teams of two to three. Audits can last anything from a few days to a few weeks and while the work can be challenging, it’s an invaluable grounding for a successful career as an Accountant or Business Advisor.

  Working in our Accounts teams also offers the opportunity to get experience preparing year-end accounts, management accounts, forecasts and projections. You will be based in the office or at home, work independently and within teams on client accounts. You’ll have exposure to compliance, including company and business taxation, company secretarial matters and VAT returns, which helps to give you a more rounded training experience.

• Life as a trainee

  Throughout your training, you’ll balance client work with studying (classroom and at home) to achieve your professional qualifications. Client work will be varied and will change as your knowledge and skills develop throughout your training.

  You will work across different sectors carrying out audits, accounts and all aspects of tax, some of which will include travelling across the region and even across the country.

  Life as a trainee is intensive and challenging but, if you are dedicated and focused, can deliver quality work and impress clients with high levels of service, the rewards are exceptional.

• Our approach to learning

  You’ll be assigned a buddy before you start and will be supported by a manager who will help fulfil your potential and keep you on track. Your buddy will be someone who has recently been where you are, so they will understand your first day nerves, can answer any questions you have and teach you the basics of your role.

  You’ll also be supported by an ICAEW registered student counsellor who will have regular six monthly meetings with you to help guide you through all of the requirements of the ACA qualification. These meetings will cover personal development goals, exam progress, professional specialism and ethics, and keeping log of your practical work experience days which all contribute to you achieving the ACA qualification.

  Our training provider will also assign you with a mentor to ensure you stay on track and review your progress throughout.

• What's it like working for PKF Francis Clark?

  Here at PKF Francis Clark, you’ll find a culture of friendliness and support and you’ll feel welcome from day one. There’s a sense of family here, and we love to have fun and let our hair down too. We will support you and give you the building blocks to succeed and progress your career. And when you need help or advice, no issue is too small. We’ll be there.

  We work as a team to offer a great service to our clients, but also having fun and learning along the way! Abigail Carpenter, Trainee

  As the largest independent chartered accountancy firm in the South West, we offer opportunities for growth designed around your career preferences. We are known for our professionalism and depth of expertise across multiple sectors and our people-centric approach is the key to our success.

  Realise your career potential, working with the best clients in a professional, people-centred, successful business, with a great lifestyle location.

• Career pathways

  On average, achieving the ACA qualification and becoming a chartered accountant takes three years. In that time, you’ll also gain valuable experience across the business in departments such as Audit, Business Services and Taxation.

  Once you’re qualified, we’ll support your continued development in your role, or by gaining experience in another team such as Corporate Finance or Insolvency, exploring the opportunities in another office or even those in another country.

  However you choose to continue, you’ll be supported in a nurturing environment, receive comprehensive training and invaluable exposure to a diversity of career-building client work.

• The recruitment process

  We open our application process for our ACA trainee positions in September and attend various careers events across universities in the South and South West from September to November.

  The shortlisting process:

  • Online application form – Apply online through our website. Tell us about you.
  • Online numerical and verbal ability tests – You’ll be asked to complete online numerical and verbal ability tests. Show us your ability.
  • Competency based phone interview – You’ll have a phone interview with a member of our recruitment team. Describe your ability.
  • Assessment Day – You’ll be invited to take part in various activities that will show us your team working, presentation and communication talents. Demonstrate your ability.

  Assessment days tend to take place in early December. If you are successful at this point, we’ll make you an offer to start either in January or the following August.

Find out more about what it’s like to work with us, the application process and read some personal stories from trainees like you.