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- Tasks: Join us as a trainee accountant and earn while you learn towards your AAT qualification.
- Company: PKF Francis Clark, a top independent chartered accountancy firm in South West England.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health benefits, and support for your training and qualifications.
- Why this job: Launch your accountancy career with hands-on experience and a supportive network.
- Qualifications: Bright school and college leavers with a passion for numbers and problem-solving.
- Other info: Flexible working, personal development training, and a friendly culture await you.
Overview
In a nutshell
Join us as a trainee accountant and work towards your AAT qualification. You’ll earn while you learn, gaining hands on experience alongside your studies. We pay for all your training and qualifications and support you every step of the way. We’re proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for the third-year running, making this an excellent place to launch your accountancy career.
What you\’ll be doing
You’ll have the opportunity to join one of our specialist teams, each focused on distinct areas of client work:
Our Business Advisory team works with a fantastic range of clients, from sole traders and family-owned businesses to partnerships and private individuals. As part of our general practice team, you’ll build a solid foundation in accounting and business support, gaining hands on experience across a broad range of services. You’ll be involved in preparing accounts, supporting clients with day today queries and working alongside specialists in areas such as tax, audit and financial planning. It’s a great way to develop your technical skills, learn how businesses operate and start building strong client relationships early in your career.
Our Agriculture and Landed Estates team works with a variety of clients, from historic country estates to a wide range of farming businesses. As part of this team, you’ll develop practical skills in accounting and business support while working closely with clients to understand how rural businesses operate and adapt in a constantly evolving sector. Alongside your day today work, you’ll also have the opportunity to attend external industry events, helping you to develop strong relationships across the rural community.
Please indicate on your application form if you have a particular preference for either of the above departments.
About you
You’ll enjoy this job if you like:
- Taking initiative and achieving goals
- Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Building strong relationships and working collaboratively
- Working with numbers and solving problems
- Being analytical and methodical in your approach
Studying alongside working is demanding. As an AAT trainee, you’ll need to do regular independent study and revision for your professional exams. It typically takes around three years to complete an AAT qualification.
Your development
We recognise that personal development training is essential in helping you to become an accountant, so alongside your AAT you’ll receive personal development training to help you grow the skills and behaviours needed to become a successful accountant.
You’ll be supported every step of the way:
- A buddy before you start, to help you settle in
- A line manager and student counsellor will help you stay on track with your professional qualification and career goals
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities beyond qualifications, helping you progress into manager roles and beyond
Starting your career straight from school can feel daunting, but at PKF Francis Clark, you’ll never be on your own. From day one, you’ll be supported by a strong network of colleagues, from fellow trainees to managers and partners. Everyone is treated with respect and made to feel valued. Plus, you’ll be joining alongside lots of other trainees, so you’ll be learning and growing together.
What we\’re looking for
Bright, motivated school and college leavers who want to build a meaningful career in accountancy. This programme offers structured development, early responsibility, and long-term progression.
Entry requirements:
- Minimum of 112 UCAS points (from three A Levels or equivalent, excluding general studies and EPQ)
- GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above
- Available to start August 2026
How to apply
Apply online by midnight on Sunday, 8 February 2026. We recommend applying early, as the window may close if we receive a high number of applications. Please note you can only apply for one role per recruitment cycle.
Recruitment Process
Our selection process includes the following stages:
- Online application
- Verbal and numerical reasoning tests
- Pre-recorded video interview
- In person assessment centre
We’re committed to creating an inclusive and positive experience for all candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, whether related to a disability, neurodiversity, or any other need, please let us know, and we ’ll do our best to support you.
Why work at PKF Francis Clark
As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a breadth of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you.
Established in 1919, we’ve grown to a team of nearly 1,000 people, based across our offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. This means we’re big enough to do challenging work for exciting clients, but small enough to maintain our friendly and supportive culture.
We work hard to ensure you can belong, be yourself and be brilliant as part of a forward-thinking team. This includes a flexible approach to hybrid working. And our focus on wellbeing and learning and development has been recognised nationally.
For the past three years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces. In 2025, we climbed four places to 20 out of 100 large organisations on this prestigious list.
We’re also in the UK’s top 10 Best Workplaces for Women (6 out of 100 large organisations), as well as being ranked among the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing (35 out of 100), Best Workplaces for Development (24 out of 100) and Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services.
All these lists are compiled by workplace culture experts Great Place to Work. Our rankings are a direct result of feedback from our people in a confidential, independent annual survey.
The success rates of our trainees mean we’re also ranked 33rd in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025.
While we’re proudly independent, we collaborate with colleagues around the world to enable our clients to succeed. PKF Francis Clark is a member of the PKF Global family of firms – together we’re the 12th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK. Being part of this international network provides opportunities to connect with like-minded accountants and business advisers in 150 countries.
Your core benefits will include
- Pension
- Group life assurance – up to four times your core salary
- Group income protection
- Health cash plan to help cover the costs of everyday healthcare
Health & Wellbeing benefits:
- Option to buy 5 extra days holiday*
- Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
- Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
- Cycle to work*
Other benefits:
- Medicash Extras providing you with shopping and gym discounts
- Gifts for career and family milestones
- One volunteering day per year to support local organisations
- Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation
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AAT Accountancy Trainee - School & College Leaver – August 2026 employer: PKF Francis Clark
Contact Detail:
PKF Francis Clark Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land AAT Accountancy Trainee - School & College Leaver – August 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, and even your school or college connections. You never know who might have a lead on an opportunity or can introduce you to someone in the accountancy field.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to accountancy. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to build your confidence and get feedback.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your enthusiasm! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, whether in person or virtually, let your passion for accountancy shine through. It’s all about making a memorable impression!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for bright, motivated individuals like you to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace AAT Accountancy Trainee - School & College Leaver – August 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for accountancy and why you’re excited about this opportunity.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. Mention any relevant coursework or projects that demonstrate your interest in accountancy and your analytical skills.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!: Before hitting send, give your application a thorough read. Typos and grammatical errors can make a bad impression, so take the time to ensure everything is polished and professional. It shows us you care!
Apply Early: We review applications on a rolling basis, so don’t wait until the last minute! Applying early not only gives you a better chance but also shows us your eagerness to join our team. Head over to our website to submit your application today!
How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Francis Clark
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your basic accounting principles and terminology. Being able to confidently discuss concepts like year-end accounts, VAT returns, and forecasts will show that you're serious about the role and have a genuine interest in accountancy.
✨Show Your Initiative
Prepare examples of times when you've taken initiative or solved problems. Whether it's a school project or a part-time job, demonstrating your proactive approach will resonate well with interviewers looking for motivated candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Come prepared with questions about the company culture, training opportunities, and the specific teams you might work with. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
✨Practice Your Communication Skills
Since effective communication is key in this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. You could do mock interviews with friends or family to build confidence in expressing your ideas and experiences.
