Graduate accountant trainee – ACA – August 2026
Taunton,
ACA (graduates)
ACA accounting qualification
Become a chartered accountant with an ACA qualification
ACA accounting qualification are open to graduates with any degree. You’ll work whilst studying, and we’ll support you all the way. They are level 7 qualifications, equivalent to a Master’s degree.
You’ll be supported through your ACA to achieve the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA) qualification.
The ACA accountancy qualification is a three-year programme that includes 450 days’ technical work experience, 15 exams and an accredited STEPs course of structured interpersonal development. The awarding body is the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Why choose PKF Francis Clark for your ACA accounting qualification?
-
We fund your training and professional qualifications
-
The work is really varied – no two days are the same
-
You’ll feel supported by your team and by a community of fellow graduates
-
We’re a large firm able to offer great career progression opportunities
-
You can live and work in the stunning South West
-
Our ACA pass rates are well above the national average
What do I need to apply for the ACA accounting programme?
-
A degree at 2:2 or above in any subject
-
112 or more UCAS points
-
GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/grade C or above
-
A love of numbers – we’ll teach you everything you need to know, for now we’re looking for aptitude and a willingness to learn!
-
Great communication skills to build trusted relationships with clients
-
A sense of fun and a desire to succeed
ACA vacancies
PKF Francis Clark is a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer
What does an ACA trainee do?
Business advisory
You’ll help our clients prepare year end account, management accounts, forecasts, and projections. You’ll be able to get involved in areas such as corporate and business taxation, company secretarial duties, and VAT returns. This diverse exposure will equip you with a broad and rounded understanding of commercial, tax, and general accountancy practices.
Audit
You’ll typically work in a team at a client’s premises, so every day is different. You’ll be providing assurance services and professional advice, generally working in small teams of two or 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 your accountancy career.
Professional practices
You’ll support law firms, doctors, and a range of other professionals. You’ll gain a great range of experience, including accounting, tax (partnership, company and personal), audit and preparing analysis, forecasts and projections.
Your ACA training programme
You’ll have a structured induction at the firm before starting your formal accountancy studies. This includes:
- Meeting your new team and manager
- Going to an induction event for introductory training and to meet our senior leaders and all the other new trainees
- Functional onboarding within your department – getting to grips with the basics of the work you’ll be doing to set you up for success
- A range of other training focused on cybersecurity, anti-money laundering and how to act commercially
Following your induction, your training will quickly start to build a breadth and depth of experience, and in addition there are opportunities to do a placement with another department.
You’ll alternate between studying with an independent training provider and working on-the-job. In between studies you are a working accountant. You’ll have regular reviews with your line manager and the training provider to ensure you are on track.
As an ACA accounting trainee, you’ll spend 20% of your time training in person with First Intuition, the award-winning accountancy training provider. This is often ‘block release’ where you train for several consecutive days at a time. Depending on your location, overnight stays may be required.
You are expected to do independent study in your own time. This varies by person but is typically at least 10 hours per week and can be a lot more, especially when you are revising for your professional examinations.
You’ll have a student counsellor, who is an experienced Chartered Accountant, to support you with feedback and advice. You’ll also have a buddy, a current trainee who’ll partner with you before you start and during the first few weeks. The buddy’s role is to welcome you, answer any questions and invite you along to work social events.
Chartered Accountant (or ACA) is a level seven qualification. It takes three years to complete, and the firm pays for your exams and training. You’ll be assessed by examination. For the latest syllabus see the Institute of Chartered Accountants In England and Wales (ICAEW) website.
Meet our ACA trainees
"After University I went straight into teaching maths. After three years I realised it wasn’t offering me the lifestyle I wanted. I knew accountancy could play to my strengths, I enjoyed solving problems and working logically."
Molly, ACA trainee accountant
“I had seen PKF Francis Clark had supported other trainees who had changed careers and they also promoted a good work-life balance, so I felt I would do well there. The firm was my number one choice and thanks to my amazing team it has been a seamless transition. I feel at home here.”
Simon, Trainee accountant
“With a bit of luck, I will be qualifying in the summer. It is clear in my mind that my success will have been in no small part due to the resources that PKF Francis Clark have provided. It will have been a long three years, but enjoyable too. I come out of it feeling valued and ready for the next challenge.”
Archie, ACA trainee accountant
“The social side of PKF Francis Clark is very important to the leadership here. We have regular team socials and two large parties every year that bring everyone together from the local office. Many of us meet up outside of work too and I’m on our five-a-side team.”
Saul, ACA trainee accountant
