Audit Higher Apprenticeship Programme 2026 - Milton Keynes

Why choose our Audit Higher Apprenticeship Programme? Working within our Audit department offers a varied and exciting career. You will have the opportunity to work across a range of sectors, conducting independent checks on companies’ financial situations and advising on ways for them to operate more profitably. It’s a job in which you will always be learning about different types of businesses and developing your business skills. Audit also provides a stable and lucrative career path with fast progression and rewarding work.

We pride ourselves on learning and development for our trainees having structures in place to support you on your journey with us, including trainee away days, a dedicated training manager and buddy and study leave to name just a few. Training and development does not stop when you qualify – we are committed to continually developing our staff. Regardless of whether you’re a trainee or a director using our ‘People Passport’ you are guaranteed a great investment in your future!

What will I be doing as an audit apprentice? Our higher apprenticeship programme is designed to support your learning and development. You will work as part of the Audit team while studying the AAT qualification – Level 3 & 4. The variety of clients we work with provides you with well‑rounded experience, and the structure of our teams allows you the opportunity to gain knowledge from and exposure to senior managers and partners throughout your training and beyond.

• Year 1: You will have the opportunity to gain insight in client challenges through analysing bank payments and receipts, preparing control accounts, calculating prepayments and accruals, and updating fixed asset registers for additions and disposals, also calculating depreciation, and drafting basic financial statements as well as starting to apply basic principles of auditing working as part of a larger team, amongst other duties. During this time you will also develop the ability to identify differences or issues from information provided by clients and start to suggest solutions.
• Year 2: You will build on your experience gained and learn new skills such as preparing more complex statutory accounts with accurate disclosures as required by company law, undertake small simple audits on your own, complete more complex audit testing and develop your problem solving and business skills. You will also have the opportunity to assist more junior trainees with queries and be a buddy to those just starting out.

Once you have completed your AAT qualification, you will then have the opportunity to apply to move on to studying the ACA and become a chartered accountant. If you think this is something you would be interested in, then apply!

As part of our culture, we take the time to review each application individually to reflect our values. We really want to attract and retain individuals who share our Values Together – The firm with the family feel. Express gratitude. Smile. Be humble and confident. Have fun. Resilient – Change is imminent, and business is imperfect. Be open minded & agile. Assume positive intent and exercise the power of positive thinking. Understanding – Each individual matters and will be heard and respected. Honesty, integrity, empathy and kindness are fundamental. Supportive – We support what is important to you and show kindness in our behaviour to each other. We encourage each other to realise our potential. Thrive! – We strive to be the best, innovate and always do exceptional work. That’s who we are and what our clients deserve.

Mercer & Hole is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Our people are our most valuable asset. We bring our life experiences, knowledge, creativity, and talents together at Mercer & Hole making it a unique place to work where all can safely thrive.