In a nutshell
You'll join us as a trainee accountant where, over the next three years, you’ll be supported to study for and achieve the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) professional qualification via an apprenticeship. We are ranked in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list 2025, making this a brilliant place to embark on your accountancy career.
What you'll be doing
One thing we can guarantee is that no two days will be the same. Every client is different, so you’ll be challenged with new opportunities daily. You’ll work across a variety of sectors, experiencing a wide range of high-quality clients, from start-ups, AIM-listed companies, and inspirational not-for-profit organisations. This role will be based in our audit & assurance team.
Inyou’ll regularly visit clients’ premises, so every day is different. You get to work in small project teams (typically 2-4 people) on a wide range of medium sized and large businesses for 1-2 weeks at a time. This is a great way to learn and develop technical, commercial and personal skills. You’ll identify key issues and risks facing a business each year and use data analytics tools as part of ensuring information reported is accurate and reliable. You’ll also gain experience in preparing annual statutory accounts and tax calculations, as well as assessing forecasts and projections.
Each year that you are with us, you will build upon the knowledge and experiences that you have gained and be given more responsibility as you grow and develop.
About You
You’ll enjoy this job if you like….
1. Being analytical and methodical in your approach to work
2. Working with numbers
3. Solving problems
4. Talking to people
5. Becoming an expert
6. Being a team player, surrounded by a fun and caring team
Studying alongside working is demanding. As an AAT trainee accountant, you’ll need to do regular independent study outside of working hours and to revise for your professional exams.
Fast Track Programme
We offer a fast-track apprenticeship 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
All our trainee opportunities follow apprenticeship standards, which we fully fund so in addition to learning on the job with support from experienced colleagues, you’ll spend time studying via a leading professional training provider, through a mix of online and classroom-based learning.
We recognise that personal development training is essential in helping you to become a trusted business adviser, so you will receive support and learning not only for your professional qualification but also towards the skills and behaviours that are required to be a successful accountant. You will be allocated a buddy who’ll be in touch before you join to help with any questions leading up to your first day and beyond. Your line manager will be there to support you from day one to ensure that you are on track with both your professional qualification and career aspirations.
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.
What we’re looking for
AAT apprenticeships are perfect for non-graduates looking to start an accountancy career. If you are finishing Sixth-form or College, or looking to switch and start a new career this is the route for you.
You’ll be expected to demonstrate the following:
7. Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained from three A Levels or equivalent excluding general studies)
8. Grade 4-9 or C or above in GCSE Maths and English.
We recommend applying ASAP as we will be running an assessment centre for this position in the Autumn for a December 2025 start date.