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- Tasks: Join our three-year training programme to become a Chartered Accountant while earning and learning.
- Company: PKF Francis Clark is the largest independent chartered accountancy firm in South West England.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, health benefits, and extra holiday options.
- Why this job: Experience diverse clients and develop your skills in a supportive, award-winning culture.
- Qualifications: Must have a 2.2 degree or above and meet specific A Level and GCSE requirements.
- Other info: Apply ASAP for a December 2025 start; virtual assessment centre coming soon!
Overview
You\\\’ll join our three-year training programme to become a Chartered Accountant (ACA). You\\u2019ll earn while you learn, working whilst studying. We pay for all your training and qualifications and support you every step of the way. We are ranked in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list 2025, making this a brilliant place to embark on your accountancy career.
Responsibilities
One thing we can guarantee is that no two days will be the same. Every client is different, so you\\u2019ll be challenged with new opportunities daily. You\\u2019ll work across a variety of sectors, experiencing a wide range of high-quality clients, from start-ups, AIM-listed companies, and inspirational not-for-profit organisations.
Our business advisory teams help our clients prepare year-end accounts, management accounts, forecasts, and projections. You\\u2019ll be able to get involved in areas such as company and business taxation, company secretarial matters and VAT returns. Therefore, you\\u2019ll gain a breadth of commercial, tax and general accountancy experience in this role.
About you
You\\u2019ll enjoy this job if you like\\u2026.
- Being analytical and methodical in your approach to work
- Working with numbers
- Solving problems
- Talking to people
- Becoming an expert
- Being a team player, surrounded by a fun and caring team
Studying alongside working is demanding. As an ACA trainee accountant, you\\u2019ll need to do regular independent study outside of working hours and to revise for your professional exams.
Development
We recognise that personal development training is essential in helping you to become a trusted business adviser, so you will receive support and learning not only for your professional qualification but also towards the skills and behaviours that are required to be a successful accountant. You will be allocated a buddy before you start with us. When you join us you will have a line manager and a student counsellor who will help ensure that you are on track with your professional qualification and career aspirations.
What we\\\’re looking for
You might be an undergraduate, a recent graduate, or a graduate who has already established a career and wants to switch and start a new career in accountancy. You\\u2019ll be expected to demonstrate the following:
- On track to achieve or have obtained a 2.2 or above in any degree discipline
- Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained from three A Levels or equivalent excluding general studies)
- Grade 4-9 or C or above in GCSE Maths and English
We recommend applying ASAP as we will be running a virtual assessment centre for this position in the Autumn for a December 2025 start date.
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\\u2019s right for you.
Established in 1919, we\\u2019ve 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\\u2019re 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.
Benefits
Your core benefits will includes
Financial benefits:
- 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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Graduate Accountant Trainee – December 2025 Start employer: PKF Francis Clark
Contact Detail:
PKF Francis Clark Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Accountant Trainee – December 2025 Start
✨Tip Number 1
Research PKF Francis Clark thoroughly. Understand their values, culture, and the types of clients they work with. This knowledge will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the firm.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former trainees at PKF Francis Clark. Reach out on platforms like LinkedIn to ask about their experiences. This can provide you with insider insights and potentially valuable connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the virtual assessment centre by practising common interview questions and situational judgement tests. Familiarise yourself with the format and ensure you have a quiet, professional environment set up for the assessment.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills during any interactions with the company. Use examples from your academic or work experience where you've successfully tackled challenges, as this aligns with what they are looking for in a candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Accountant Trainee – December 2025 Start
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant skills and experiences that align with the role of a Graduate Accountant Trainee. Emphasise any analytical, numerical, or problem-solving abilities, as well as teamwork experiences.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that explains why you are interested in the position and how your background makes you a suitable candidate. Mention your enthusiasm for accountancy and your commitment to professional development.
Highlight Academic Achievements: Clearly state your academic qualifications, including your degree classification and UCAS points. If you have relevant coursework or projects, include those to demonstrate your preparedness for the role.
Showcase Soft Skills: In your application, highlight soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. These are crucial for working in a dynamic environment with diverse clients, as mentioned in the job description.
How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Francis Clark
✨Research the Company
Before your interview, take some time to learn about PKF Francis Clark. Understand their values, culture, and the services they offer. This will help you tailor your answers and show genuine interest in the company.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
As a Graduate Accountant Trainee, you may be asked technical questions related to accounting principles or financial regulations. Brush up on your knowledge of basic accounting concepts and be ready to discuss them confidently.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Since the role requires being analytical and methodical, prepare examples from your academic or work experience where you've successfully solved problems or worked with numbers. This will demonstrate your suitability for the position.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer. This could be about the training programme, team dynamics, or opportunities for growth within the company. It shows your enthusiasm and engagement.
