Audit Graduate Programme (ACA) – Nonprofit sector - September 2026 in St Albans

Overview

At Moore Kingston Smith, we believe in the potential of people to make a positive impact, fuelled by the power of genuine understanding. As an accredited training firm, we’re committed to providing first-class professional development in a supportive and friendly environment. Over three years, you will gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills, and build the foundation for a successful career in audit. You will work with a wide range of our nonprofit clients, delivering exceptional client service while earning your ACA qualification and becoming an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

Our nonprofit team

Our award-winning Nonprofit group deliver a comprehensive range of auditing and accounting services, as well as specially tailored offerings for the nonprofit sector. We focus on charities, education and trade associations and membership bodies. According to data collated over the last 10 years from Charity Finance’s Audit Survey our charity team has consistently ranked first for overall service among the top 10 charity specialist firms in England.

Your experience

As part of our nonprofit team, you will gain valuable experience working with a diverse range of charities and independent schools, as well as corporate exposure through engagement with trading subsidiaries and corporate membership organisations. With a team of over 70 professionals, we are deeply committed to growth, development, and supporting trainees every step of the way.

Role and progression

From the outset, you will work with our clients, who choose us because we understand them so well. You will get to know their businesses, uncover the obstacles they face and become familiar with their sectors. The experience is varied. Some projects last a few days, others a few weeks. We encourage you to take responsibility early on, and you will get to grips with all aspects of the role and audit process. In this role, you will predominantly work on clients within the nonprofit sector but will also gain exposure to other teams and sectors.

Key responsibilities – first 12 months

• Develop a strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting standards, and auditing guidelines
• Attend client offices and represent the firm professionally as part of the audit team
• Assist in planning audits, including reviewing prior year information and preparing lead schedules
• Perform audit testing on key financial areas such as income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
• Check the accuracy of financial schedules and ensure figures agree with supporting records
• Prepare financial statements in line with relevant standards and legal requirements
• Draft corporation tax computations and support tax-related audit procedures
• Liaise with clients to gather documentation, clarify queries, and support audit progress
• Maintain accurate and well-organised working papers in line with internal procedures
• Review and update client data in accounting and tax software systems
• Identify and suggest improvements to client systems and internal processes
• Support the preparation of audit close-out meeting materials and discussion points
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, including technical and tax departments
• Help manage client expectations and meet deadlines throughout the audit process

As you develop experience and confidence, you will start to take more ownership of audit sections and communicate more directly with clients. You will begin mentoring newer team members, contributing to planning discussions, and handling more complex technical areas.

As you approach qualification in your third year, you will be able to further enhance the breadth of your experience by supporting the facilitation of internal training, and by learning more about other services and sectors in the business with the opportunity for a secondment.

Following qualification, many of our trainees continue their careers within their original teams, whilst others have moved into other departments including tax, corporate finance and digital transformation. Whatever path you choose, we have clear progression routes, and there’s plenty of opportunity to take your career in the direction you desire at Moore Kingston Smith. In fact, many of our partners started out as trainees here and through hard work, commitment and drive have gone on to leadership roles.

Your path to qualification

This role is a three-year training contract, during which time you will study towards the ICAEW’s ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant) qualification.

What this means for you:

• You will complete 14 exams across three levels: Certificate, Professional, and Advanced, plus additional specialised learning
• You will gain 450 days of relevant work experience, supported by on-the-job learning and guidance from your manager
• You will develop key professional skills through structured training and development
• You will be accountable for maintaining your ICAEW training file
• You will follow a planned schedule of work and study, with regular revision and training sessions leading up to key exams during the year

We’ll be providing comprehensive support throughout, including:

• You will attend in-person tuition with our trusted training provider during set study blocks
• Paid study leave
• Ongoing support from a Buddy, Training Manager and Training Partner, with regular feedback and development reviews
• Access to wellbeing resources and a supportive network to help you thrive

We understand that completing a training contract is a significant commitment, requiring time management and a proactive mindset. That’s why we’re here to support you every step of the way. In return, you will work towards a globally respected qualification within an internationally recognised network and build a strong foundation for a rewarding career in audit and beyond.

Who are we looking for?

Our Audit Graduate Programme welcomes applicants from all degree backgrounds - whether you\\\'re a recent university graduate, changing careers, or returning to work. While recent changes have been made to Level 7 apprenticeship funding, there are no upper age limits for joining any of our programmes.

You will be provided with training and support throughout your career with us, and the ACA qualification pathway has a structured study and exam programme to allow you to prepare proactively, so you don’t need to have prior technical knowledge or experience, but we do look for:

• A clear motivation to pursue a career in audit and to work with our nonprofit clients, supported by an understanding of the ACA qualification and the role auditors play in supporting businesses.
• Enthusiasm for building strong relationships and collaborating with clients and colleagues, with close support from your manager
• A proactive, results-driven attitude, ensuring excellent client service and a commitment to delivering high-quality work with integrity and professionalism
• A dedication to ethical standards, ensuring your work aligns with professional guidelines and best practices
• Strong commitment and reliability, enabling you to balance your studies and exams (with paid study leave) alongside your full-time role and responsibilities
• A growth mindset and adaptable approach, with a willingness to continuously acquire new skills and knowledge, supported by your manager, learning coach and dedicated early talent team
• A commitment to understanding, built on respect, collaboration, and active listening

In order to be eligible for the programme, you will also need:

• Have obtained at least 112 UCAS points from three A-Levels, or equivalent qualifications
• Have achieved a 2:1 or above, from a degree in any discipline
• Be permitted to work in the UK, for at least 3-years from the start date of the programme