Trainee Accountant (Graduate Academy) in Macclesfield

Applications to join our Graduate Academy are now open! If you are looking to start your career as anACA QualifiedChartered Accountant,our study programmeis here to support you on your journey.We are delighted to announce exciting opportunities to join our teams at our head office in Northwich, as well as our offices inChesterandMacclesfield.Training to become a Chartered Accountant typically takes three years – but alongside your tuition you will alsogain invaluable and extensive experience workingwithinone of ourteams which could includeAudit,CorporateServicesorGeneral Practice– pending office location.

Our Graduate Programme

Bennettbrookshave been training accountants for over 30 years. In August 2023, we proudly launched our new Graduate Academy. This program welcomes a cohort of students simultaneously, ensuring that alongside your mentors and managers, you will also have the support of your peers. Together, you will navigate through exams,tuitionand your rolewithin our company.Becoming part of the Academygives you access totuition and external training withour chosen provider, as well as in-house training,mentorshipand tailored supportwithinouroffices– all ofwhichwill equipyou with the technical and professional skills you need to start your working life.

How does the training work?

We will fund your study towards the ACA qualification, which includes membership subscriptions, tuition,materialsand exam fees (for first attempts). Once your exams have been successfully completed, and on becoming eligible to apply for full membership, we also fund theinitialICAEW admission fee and annual subscription chargestoo.You will receive a full study package, including paid time off to attend tuition and revision courses, andtime offto sit the exams for all first attempts.But yourprofessional qualification is only part of the story at bennettbrooks.

What training will I get at bennettbrooks?

We support all our Graduates with a hybrid approach to training and development, including classroom study, on the job training, 1:1 coaching, and soft skills training. You will also be supported by a student counsellor to keep your career and aspirations on track. Every new member of the team is alsoallocated a buddy to help support you to settle into the team and navigate your first yearwith us.From the start of your training contract, you will be working directly with clients, getting to know theirbusinessesand understanding their challenges.You will be encouraged to take responsibility at the earliest opportunity.By working alongside the teams at bennettbrooks you will develop skills and technical knowledge on a wide range offunctions, that could includeaccounts preparation for sole traders,partnershipsand limited companyeusing a range of tools such as cloud bookkeeping packages and apps,VAT, personaltaxand corporate tax assignments.Alternatively, joining the audit teamprovidesthe opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects, ranging from a few days to a few weeks in length.Youwillalso get hands-on experience usingcutting-edgeauditsoftware with powerful data analytics capabilities to perform audits for both limited companies and charities.

What do trainees enrolled in the Graduate Academy earn?

We offer a competitive starting salaryof£26,700per annum, which increases as you successfully complete each stage of the exam process.

Life at bennettbrooks

We pride ourselves on creatingafriendly,welcomingandhard-workingenvironment forall ofour employeesto thrive in– offering great facilities, trainingand benefits, includingcompany and team events and away days. Weare always working towards creating a better future foreveryonewho works for us,alongsideusandthosewe actfor.Wealsounderstand that everyone is different and where we can, do our best tobe agile and tailor experiences to the individual – we appreciate that no-one\’sjourney to becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant is the same.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for individuals whocandemonstrate:

• A strong work ethic; the desire to get things done
• Great interpersonal skills; the ability to build strong internal and client relationships
• Analytical skills; the ability toaccurately and diligently assimilate information, grasp concepts quickly, research and solve problems.
• Independence and initiative; the ability to think critically, challenge whenappropriate, and to apply professional scepticism.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Attention to detail
• Strong time-management skills
• Effective communication skills (written and verbal)

Candidates must also be:

• Responsible and trustworthy
• Able to use their initiative
• Hardworking and keen to learn
• Aligned with the bennettbrooks culture and values

Strong academic performance is an important indicator of success in completing the ACA exams;but,we understand that thingsdon\’talways go to plan. Our recruitment process looks at the individual academic achievements as well as other experiences in which you have grown and developed.We balance your academic results alongside the aptitude assessment within our recruitment process to ensure that you will be successful in your role with us.

What is the application process?

Each candidate will be evaluated individually and will follow the same standard application process outlined below:

Stage 1:Submission of CV

• All CV’s will be reviewedand successful candidates willprogress to the following stage(s)

Stage 2:Phone Interview

• Following aninitialphone interview with a member of our HR team, aselectionof candidates willbe invited toprogress to the following stage

Stage 3:Online Aptitude Test

• Candidates will be asked to complete astandardisedonline basedaptitudetest, following which they may be invited to progress to Stage 4 of the process

Stage 4:Assessment Day

• Candidates will be invited to spendeither a morning or afternoonat the bennettbrooks Head Office in Northwich to take part inour Graduate Academy AssessmentDay. Thecandidates will be givenmultiple exercisesto complete,aimed at getting to know each of the candidates better andassessinghowthey performat relevant tasks (this may includebothgroup and individual tasks). The Assessment Day will also include a 1-2-1 interview with one of the Directors at bennettbrooks.

Stage 5:Official Offers

• Following the Graduate Academy Assessment Day, successful candidates will be sent a formal job offer.

We understand that some candidates may be applying with exemptions from some of the examsrequiredto gain your ACA Qualification, if you believe that you are (or may be) exempt from some of the exams, please do specify this on your cover letter.Anypossible exemptionswillnotinfluence your application.

The application deadline is rolling, with a start date inearly September2026.

Please note: We are unable to provide on-site parking at our Chester office.