Pension Audit School Leaver Programme (Autumn 2027) - Manchester

Pension Audit School Leaver Programme (Autumn 2027) - Manchester

Manchester Full-Time On-site
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Job Description:




Go one better than Four.

The industry is set to change. It's time to get with a new kind of programme. One that leaves traditional apprenticeship schemes behind. From the off, you'll see a future you want to stay for. Because we don't just recruit exceptional school leaver talent. We turn trainees into leaders. We're talking bigger opportunities, faster growth, and an experience designed to accelerate your career from the start.

Take the purple path

What investing in talent actually looks like

  • A market-leading salary of Β£29,000 and full benefits package
  • A fully-funded professional qualification, including paid study leave, expert tuition, and all course fees covered
  • A named Partner sponsor from day one to support you grow in your career
  • International exposure, helping you build a global perspective early in your career
  • Access to the latest leading AI tools and digital solutions from day one, building skills that will shape the future of your career
  • Meaningful client interaction outside of the day-to-day - understanding how businesses operate and driving results which matter
  • Structured learning built around the capabilities of a future Partner - taking you beyond the technical
  • In-person experiences with your cohort of future leaders. One pathway, one cohort, and a network for life
  • Access to additional opportunities as you reach your potential - from working with our Senior Leadership Team to shaping new initiatives
  • Business Development responsibilities before you even qualify. Hands-on opportunities to win work and support our growth ambitions

GT Augment - Powered by AI, driven by you

We are investing Β£500m in digital transformation.

Our leading AI tools drive efficiencies, handling time-consuming manual tasks, which means you can focus on higher-value work, faster. You'll get experience and training to progress rapidly, earlier than apprentices ever have before.

Powered by AI, you will spend more time on detailed analysis, professional judgement and the insights that genuinely add value for clients. You'll be the one in control, reviewing and challenging the quality of AI inputs and outputs to ensure our clients continue to receive an exceptional service.

We're in the business of people, not just numbers. AI helps us work more efficiently, but it's our people who bring judgement, curiosity and care to every client relationship. As a trainee, you'll learn to use these tools while developing the human skills that will set you apart throughout your career.

A look into the role

Pensions Audit: Pensions audit is about giving trustees, members, and regulators confidence in how pension schemes are run. As part of the team, you'll audit industry-wide schemes, corporate pension schemes, and master trusts - work that helps safeguard the retirement savings of millions, in one of the most heavily regulated environments there is. You'll get exposure to a wide range of clients, including household names, building the insight to understand how these organisations manage risk, governance, and members' money.

As an auditor in our pensions team, you will:

  • Work with a variety of clients, from large corporate household names to specialist industry-wide schemes and master trusts, gaining exposure to different governance structures and regulatory challenges.
  • Get hands-on from day one, testing contributions and benefits, and gathering evidence to assess how accurately schemes are reporting members' retirement savings.
  • Apply professional judgement to assess the policies and funding positions schemes adopt.
  • Analyse financial statements and review internal controls, learning how trustees and administrators manage assets, liabilities, and risk.
  • Study for a relevant professional qualification (typically ACA, ICAS, CFAB, AAT, ACCA, CIMA or DTS) which will complement your technical knowledge, and prepare you for future career success.


Get to know our Head of Audit, Wendy Russell here


Who we're looking for


Our pathway moves fast. You'll be juggling the demands it brings, alongside an intensive professional qualification, so you'll need real drive and determination to keep pace and succeed. This is a distinctive pathway offering exceptional opportunities, but the work is demanding. We want people with the ambition to contribute to our high-performance culture, who see a real future with us beyond qualification, following the purple path.

We're looking for people who bring:

  • Commercial curiosity - genuine interest in our clients' businesses and an eye for spotting opportunities to add value, from the start.
  • A digital explorer's mindset - curiosity for digital tools and data, and a drive to find smarter solutions early on.
  • Adaptability - embracing change, asking good questions, and picking things up quickly when thrown in at the deep end.
  • Strong problem-solving skills - critical thinking, sound judgement, and attention to detail from your first live piece of work.
  • Collaborative communication - listening well, adapting your approach, and building trust with clients and colleagues alike.
  • A proactive approach to your career - taking ownership of your growth and seeking out opportunities rather than waiting for them to come to you.

We've got a flexible approach to academic entry requirements, and we'll consider these alongside your strengths and motivations.

We're growing fast, and we want you to grow with us. With digital-first innovation and a firm that's investing in its future leaders, this is your chance to shape what's next.

Follow the purple path.
It's the start of something bigger.

Pension Audit School Leaver Programme (Autumn 2027) - Manchester employer: Grant Thornton

Grant Thornton is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior staff while working with a diverse portfolio of large corporate clients in a globally connected environment. The flexible working options further enhance the work-life balance, making it a rewarding place to build your career in tax advisory.

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Contact Details:

Grant Thornton Recruitment Team