Trainee accountant jobs

Find the right accountancy trainee job for you

AAT trainee accounting jobs

We offer the level 3 and level 4 Association of Accounting Technicians qualifications, popularly known as AAT accountancy apprenticeships. These are globally recognised qualifications, popular with non-graduates, including school and college leavers, and career changers. You can progress from AAT to further professional qualifications.

Explore

ACA trainee accounting jobs (graduates)

The Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification combines technical training with advanced business and leadership skills. It is recognised by The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

Explore

CTA tax trainee jobs (graduates)

Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) is the highest level of tax qualification available in the UK. It is recognised by The Chartered Institute of Taxation.

Explore

Placements and work experience

We offer summer and year-long placement options for undergraduate students, as well a one week work experience option for Year 12 students.

Explore

We're a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer

PKF Francis Clark ranks 33rd of The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025 – recognising our commitment to creating apprenticeships, the diversity of our apprentices, and the number who successfully complete their apprenticeships.

We're proud to be featured in The Top 100 Sunday Times Apprenticeship Employers 2025

Is a trainee accounting or tax job right for me?

Whether you’re finishing school, college, or university, starting a career in accountancy or tax is a big step but an exciting one.

Our trainee programmes are designed to support you from day one, offering structured development, professional qualifications, and real-world experience. Plus, you’ll be joining a firm that’s officially certified as a Great Place to Work.

A trainee accounting job will be a good fit for you if:

  • You’re curious about finance – you want to understand how businesses operate, how tax works, and what drives financial decisions

  • You enjoy solving problems – working with numbers, analysing data, and finding practical solutions interests you

  • You’re eager to learn and grow whether you're studying AAT, ACA, or ATT/CTA, you're motivated to balance work and study to build a meaningful career

  • You thrive in a team – you enjoy collaboration, building relationships, and learning from others

  • You want a career with purpose – making a real impact on clients, communities, and the wider economy matters to you

How do trainee accountant and tax advisor jobs work?

Trainee roles are designed to help you build a strong foundation in accountancy or tax while working towards a professional qualification. Whether you’re studying for the ACA, AAT, or ATT/CTA, you’ll gain hands-on experience, earn a salary, and receive full support throughout your journey.

We recognise that personal development is essential in helping you become a trusted adviser. That’s why, alongside your technical training, you’ll receive personal development support to help you grow the skills and behaviours needed to succeed, both professionally and personally.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • A buddy before you start – someone to help you settle in, answer questions, and make your first days easier

  • Structured support once you join – your line manager will guide your progress, helping you stay on track with your studies and career goals

  • Real-world experience from day one – you’ll work with clients, contribute to meaningful projects, and apply your learning in practical settings

  • Ongoing development beyond qualification – once qualified, you’ll continue to grow through tailored learning opportunities, helping you progress into manager roles and beyond

You may study in-person at a study centre or online. You’ll study a structured set of modules and take an exam at the end of each one. We appoint leading training providers to deliver your tuition. We then couple this with our own internal training programme, plus the support of your manager and a mentor, to provide an exceptional training experience.

Applying what you learn in your day-to-day trainee accountant job really helps to make sense of it all. You’ll be expected to study outside of work too, this varies depending on the individual but 10 hours per week of independent study is typical and this increases around exam time.

We’re building something special. Be part of it.

From applying, to preparing for your interview or getting a job offer – find out all about our recruitment process in our frequently asked questions.

What's it like to work here?

Our people make us who we are – we encourage a sense of belonging and our warm, open culture embraces people from all backgrounds. We focus on you – whatever aspirations you have, we’ll help you be the best you.

Along with building your career, we understand that making friends and having a great social life are priorities for our trainees. We love to have fun so we have regular socials.

Our trainees tell us they feel valued from day one, and they are.

Meet our trainees

People are willing to help and explain things. It is easy to approach and talk to my colleagues. I didn’t come from an accounting background so there was a bit of a learning curve, but I am figuring things out and improving. Having people here who support me means a lot as it has increased my confidence. The social side is good too.”

Anoop, ACA trainee accountant
Read story

“I love the responsibility I am given on projects. I have a lot of autonomy and the team are very open to considering my ideas, even though I’m relatively new to this! I am trusted with challenging projects but also given support when I need it.”

Becky, Corporate finance analyst
Read story

“I’m speaking to interesting clients. The amount of trust put into me, especially by my manager surprises me. I was expecting to just be doing the teas and coffees!”

Jaicob, AAT trainee accountant
Read story

Trainee accountant jobs FAQs

No two days are the same in a trainee accountant job. Every client has different ambitions for their business, and so what they need from their accountant varies. We advise on all sorts, from succession planning to complex tax needs, research and development, international trade, employee benefits, and selling your business. Naturally, we prepare accounts and tax returns too.

As a trainee accountant, you’ll need to work from the office most days so that you can learn from more senior colleagues, but over time you’ll have increasing flexibility to do some work from home, in line with the firm’s hybrid working policy.

We open our trainee accounting roles every Autumn. If no suitable role is currently available please sign up for our job alerts.

You can apply on our website for trainee accountant jobs in eight of our nine locations. These are Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Taunton, Torquay and Truro.

We advise applying ASAP after the roles open to secure your preferred location. This is because we make offers as we go with no fixed closing date.