Placements and work experience

Three placement options

Summer placements​ for undergraduate students

Spend six weeks exploring a career in accountancy and professional services.

Year 12 professional services insight programme​

Spend a week discovering what it’s really like to be an accountant.

Year 10 insights programme​

Get a first-hand insight into the world of business in just three days.

Summer placements for undergraduate students​

Our summer placement programme gives undergraduates the chance to experience life in professional services firsthand. Over six weeks in June and July, you’ll work alongside experienced colleagues and current trainees in teams such as audit and assurance, business advisory and tax, contributing to real client work and gaining exposure to a wide range of industries.

You’ll build practical technical and professional skills while developing a deeper understanding of how businesses operate. As part of the programme, you’ll complete a research project, connect with colleagues from across the firm and present your findings, helping you grow your confidence, communication and networking skills.

Alongside your day-to-day role, you’ll meet trainees, managers and directors from across PKF Francis Clark, giving you valuable insight into different career paths and what it’s like to study towards professional qualifications such as the ACA or CTA.

Whether you’re considering a career in accountancy or tax, or simply exploring your options before graduation, our Summer Placement Programme is a great way to discover whether professional services is right for you. Many of our trainees started their journey with a placement, and students who impress during the programme may be offered a graduate position on completion of their degree.

Our summer placement programme is open to undergraduates in their penultimate year of study.

“It’s been amazing! The summer placement enabled me to see different sides of the firm and to learn in a way that you can’t in the classroom. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming, and my colleagues organised tasks for me to do and encouraged me to ask any questions. I’ll be applying to PKF Francis Clark for sure!” Jack, University of Plymouth
“It’s been a really valuable experience. It was my first time working in an office. I’ve enjoyed it and I’ve learnt so much about accountancy. The team welcomed me and I felt very included. I didn’t feel like an intern! The managers guide things but everyone talks to everyone, including the partners. It’s super friendly. I would love to start my accountancy career here.” Will, University of Exeter

Current summer placement vacancies

There are no jobs currently available in this team.

We’ve always got new job opportunities in the pipeline.

You can email [email protected] outlining your experience and what you’re looking for and we’ll be in touch.

Year 12 professional services insight programme​

Our Year 12 work experience programme gives you the chance to see what life in professional services is really like. Over three days, you’ll gain hands-on experience, meet people from across the firm and discover how we help businesses and individuals achieve their goals.

Working alongside our business advisory team, you’ll take part in a structured case study that introduces you to the work accountants do every day. Supported by experienced colleagues throughout the programme, you’ll explore real business challenges, develop problem-solving skills and gain insight into the technology and processes used by our teams.

You’ll also meet trainees, apprentices, managers and directors from across PKF Francis Clark, helping you understand the different routes into the profession and what a career in accountancy and business advisory could look like. Along the way, you’ll build valuable employability skills, including communication, teamwork, commercial awareness and presenting your ideas with confidence.

Whether you’re thinking about university, an apprenticeship or simply exploring your options, our Year 12 work experience programme is a great way to learn more about the world of business and discover where your future could take you.

Work experience placements are available in July in most of our offices for Year 12 students.

To apply for the year 12 programme

Applications aren’t open yet, but we’ll add a link to apply here as soon as they are. Please check back in the new year.

“I just wanted to say thank you for the opportunity to do my week of work experience in the business advisory team of PKF Francis Clark. I truly appreciated all of the time and effort the whole team – but especially Mia – put into making my week of work experience so valuable. I found it so interesting to see the inner workings of all of the information given to clients – and what it was like to work in an office environment. It was also made so much better by everyone being so inviting and lovely. This made the whole experience so much less daunting and has strengthened my interest in perusing a career in finance. ” Helen, Maynard School

Year 10 insights programme​

Our Year 10 insights programme is designed to help you discover the world of business, explore different career paths and build confidence for the future.

Through a range of interactive workshops, group activities and business challenges, you’ll learn about the work we do for businesses and individuals, while gaining insight into teams including business advisory, audit and tax. You’ll also discover the vital role played by colleagues in areas such as people, marketing, IT and finance.

Along the way, you’ll meet trainees, managers and senior leaders from across PKF Francis Clark, giving you the chance to hear about their career journeys and learn about the different routes into the profession. You’ll develop valuable employability skills including communication, teamwork, self-awareness, interviewing and presenting with confidence.

Whether you’re already interested in accountancy or simply curious about the world of work, our Year 10 insights programme is a great way to explore your options, discover new opportunities and start thinking about where your future could take you.

The programme is available to Year 10 students in our Bristol, Plymouth, Poole and Torquay offices. It takes place in July, usually during the weeks commencing 5 and 12 July.

To apply for the year 10 programme

Places are offered through local schools. If you are a school and would like to be included, please contact [email protected]. If you are a year 10 student, please ask your careers adviser or careers office to contact us.

“We highly recommend PKF Francis Clark as a work experience provider. They provided our students with a brilliantly structured, safe and highly educational timetable, that balanced foundational administrative tasks with genuine exposure to accounting software and daily office operations. We look forward to partnering with them for future placements.” Penair School
“Our students were thrilled by how PKF Francis Clark operates and by the facilities, to the point of not wanting to come back to school because they were sad to leave! They are very grateful to the friendly staff and for the skills they have gained. The placement helped them to connect their learning at school to ‘real-world’ work situations.” Plymstock School
“The experience has given our students a valuable insight into the world of accounting, helping them to develop their confidence, workplace skills and understanding of the wide range of career opportunities available. We are incredibly grateful to everyone at PKF Francis Clark who gave their time to support and encourage our students. Thank you for inspiring the next generation.” St. Bede’s Catholic College
“Our students thoroughly enjoyed and valued the opportunity to learn about the PKF Francis Clark’s different departments, the wide variety of local clients, as well as the importance of interpersonal skills. Every student said they would recommend the programme to others, describing the team as friendly and supportive, and saying that this is a company that they would like to work for in the future.” The Stonehenge School

Supporting young people in the South West

PKF Francis Clark is Cornerstone Employer, one of a flagship group of over 400 businesses of every size, shape, type and sector working to transform the lives of young people in their community.
Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub logo. Proud to be a Cornerstone Employer

We act collaboratively and strategically with networks of schools, colleges, students, teachers and local stakeholders to support initiatives that focus on work experience and careers education.

 

We are part of a group of local organisations, led by the South West (HotSW) Careers Hub, committed to tackling disadvantage and driving better outcomes for young people.