In a nutshell
Join us as a trainee accountant and work towards your AAT qualification. You’ll earn while you learn, gaining hands on experience alongside your studies. We pay for all your training and qualifications and support you every step of the way. We’re proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for the third-year running, making this an excellent place to launch your accountancy career.
What you'll be doing
As a trainee accountant within our Professional Practices team, you’ll support law firms and other professional clients with the financial information and advice they need to manage their businesses effectively. You’ll gain broad experience across accounting, tax (partnership, company and personal), audit (statutory and client money audits), and preparing analysis, forecasts and projections.
Our team has extensive expertise in the legal sector, and for law firm clients we produce detailed discussion documents explaining the accounts, benchmarking analysis, advising on capital funding and providing tax analysis. We have a strong national reputation in this area of work with clients across the country.
You will:
1. Develop technical, commercial and interpersonal skills
2. Help clients prepare year-end accounts, accounts discussion documents, management accounts, forecasts, and projections
3. Get involved with company and business taxation, company secretarial matters and VAT returns
4. Gain a breadth of commercial, tax and general accountancy experience
5. Be part of a high performing team
As you progress, you’ll take on more responsibility and have opportunities to make a real impact.
About you
You’ll enjoy this job if you like:
6. Taking initiative and achieving goals
7. Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
8. Building strong relationships and working collaboratively
9. Working with numbers and solving problems
10. Being analytical and methodical in your approach
Studying alongside working is demanding. As an AAT trainee, you’ll need to do regular independent study and revision for your professional exams. It typically takes around three years to complete an AAT qualification.
Fast Track Programme
We offer a fast-track programme suitable for ambitious individuals. This intensive programme gives you the opportunity to study for your AAT & ACA qualification over 5 years, making it a quicker route to becoming chartered. Individuals suitable for this pathway will be identified at one of our assessment centres and our early careers team will guide you every step of the way.
Your development
We'll provide full support for your professional qualification and help you develop the skills and behaviours needed to succeed as an accountant. Before you start, you’ll be assigned a buddy, and once you join, your line manager and student counsellor will help you stay on track with your professional qualification and career goals.
Entering the work environment can be daunting. But the support network here at PKF Francis Clark is endless. Everyone from you, your Manager to the Partners is treated respectfully and is made to feel valued. And you’ll be joining with lots of other trainees just like you.
You’ll be supported every step of the way:
11. A buddy before you start, to help you settle in
12. A line manager and student counsellor will help you stay on track with your professional qualification and career goals
13. Ongoing learning and development opportunities beyond qualifications, helping you progress into manager roles and beyond
Starting your career straight from school can feel daunting, but at PKF Francis Clark, you’ll never be on your own. From day one, you’ll be supported by a strong network of colleagues, from fellow trainees to managers and partners. Everyone is treated with respect and made to feel valued. Plus, you’ll be joining alongside lots of other trainees, so you’ll be learning and growing together.
What we're looking for
Bright, motivated school and college leavers ready to build a meaningful career in accountancy. This programme offers structured development, early responsibility, and long-term progression.
You’ll be expected to demonstrate the following:
14. Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained from three A Levels or equivalent excluding general studies and EPQ)
15. GCSE Maths and English grade 4 (C) or above
16. Willingness to travel to client sites and other offices as required
17. Available to start August 2026
How to apply
Apply online by midnight on Sunday, 8 February 2026. We recommend applying early, as the window may close if we receive a high number of applications. Please note you can only apply for one role per recruitment cycle.
Recruitment Process
Our selection process includes the following stages:
18. Online application
19. Verbal and numerical reasoning tests
20. Pre-recorded video interview
21. In person assessment centre
We’re committed to creating an inclusive and positive experience for all candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, whether related to a disability, neurodiversity, or any other need, please let us know, and we ’ll do our best to support you.