Corrina
Assistant
“There is a real team spirit in the office and a collaborative environment.”
Our Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA) apprenticeship has a reputation for delivering pass rates well above the national average, so you can be confident that when we say we invest in our people to be the best that they can be, we mean it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Events
See the upcoming events we have and register your place to attend.
Learning & CPD
Our blended approach to learning and development means we tailor programmes to suit individual ambitions.
Rewards & Benefits
Find out more about the competitive rewards and benefits package that makes PKF Francis Clark the place to be.