Your Application Form
This could be the first time we hear your name, so remember first impressions count! Ensure you have done your research about the role and the professional qualifications you are applying for. The ACA training programme is a three-year qualification, so make sure you know what you are signing up for. We don’t ask for a CV or cover letter, but instead want to hear about your motivations behind your application, your hobbies, what you enjoy, and your past experiences. Be authentic in what you write, and let your passions shine through. Before you submit your application, proofread your answers. Correct spelling and grammar are very important.
Numerical and Verbal Testing
This is your chance to demonstrate your strengths to us. The psychometric tests are designed to test your mathematical skills and your ability to analyse written information. These can be very different to the tests you are used to as a graduate. Take some time to complete practise tests and get a feel for the format and what might be expected from you.
Telephone Interview
Inside of University and out, you will have experienced a lot of different scenarios which have shaped you to be the person you are today. The purpose of this interview is for us to hear about these experiences by asking you some behavioural based questions. To answer these, think about using the S.T.A.R technique to form your answers, that being Situation; set the scene of the situation in hand, Task; describe what role you had in the situation, Actions; what steps did you take to address the situation, Result; what was the outcome of the situation? This will paint a very well-rounded and detailed picture for the recruiter. Be engaging and most importantly, be yourself. Telephone interviews are not just a chance for the recruiter to ask you questions, they are a great chance for you to ask them any questions you have. Be curious and eager to learn more.
Assessment Centre
The goal is for you to get as much out of the Assessment Centres as we do. In that, you will be faced with real situations that our team encounter daily and give you an insight into what you might get up to as an employee. Although the pandemic may have changed the way Assessment Centres are held, the fundamentals remain the same. You will have the chance to work as a group, demonstrating your teamworking abilities, as well as on your own to highlight your individual capabilities. We will be looking for your commercial awareness, your problem-solving skills, and your abilities to build relationships. These are all skills which our employees possess in which to provide the best possible service to our clients and ultimately have a successful career.
Good luck with your applications, and we look forward to hearing from you.
For more information about early careers with PKF Francis Clark, please visit:
https://www.pkf-francisclarkcareers.co.uk/early-careers/
