At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Trainee Tax Advisor and gain hands-on experience while studying for your qualifications.
- Company: PKF Francis Clark, a leading independent chartered accountancy firm in South West England.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, with competitive pay, health benefits, and support for your training.
- Other info: Enjoy a flexible hybrid working approach and be part of a Great Place to Work.
- Why this job: Launch your tax career in a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Qualifications: Bright graduates with a 2.2 degree or above and minimum UCAS points of 112.
In a nutshell
Join us as a Trainee Tax Advisor (ATT/CTA) and build a long‑term career in tax. 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 tax career.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll work within one of our specialist teams, corporate tax, private client tax, tax advisory services or VAT, while studying towards the ATT/CTA qualifications. This combination is the gold standard for tax professionals.
Tax is central to accountancy, and you’ll quickly learn how to interpret complex legislation and explain it clearly to clients. Your day‑to‑day work could include:
- Preparing profit and loss statements and tax returns
- Designing accounting processes for companies
- Analysing financial data to identify efficiencies and savings
- Supporting clients with tailored tax planning and advice
Our clients range from large corporate companies to family businesses and individuals, giving you a diverse and rewarding experience from the start.
About you
You’ll enjoy this job if you like…
- Research and investigation
- Working with numbers
- Being analytical and methodical
- Talking to people and building relationships
- Becoming an expert in your field
- Being part of a supportive, fun team
Studying alongside working is demanding. As a trainee tax advisor, you’ll need to do regular independent study and revision for your professional exams. It typically takes around three years to qualify as a tax advisor, by which time, you may already be managing your own clients or leading a small team. Your development won’t stop once you’ve qualified. We have clear programmes to help you progress to manager roles and beyond.
Your development
We recognise that personal development training is essential in helping you to become a trusted adviser, so alongside your ATT and CTA qualifications, you’ll receive personal development training to help you grow the skills and behaviours needed to become a successful tax professional.
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 once you join, to keep you on track with your studies and careers goals
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities beyond qualification, helping you progress into manager roles and beyond
What we’re looking for
Bright, motivated graduates who want to build a meaningful career in tax. This programme offers structured development, early responsibility, and long‑term progression.
Entry requirements
- On track to achieve or have obtained, a 2.2 or above in any degree discipline
- Minimum of 112 UCAS points (from three A Levels or equivalent, excluding general studies & EPQ)
- GSCE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above
How to apply
We review applications on a rolling basis, so apply early. We may close the vacancy once we’ve received enough applications. You can only submit one application per recruitment cycle, and we’re unable to accept multiple applications for different roles.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive and positive experience for all candidates. If you need 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 (subject to client, business, team and personal need). 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—their are 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
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
Graduate Tax Trainee - ATT/CTA - August 2026 in Bristol employer: PKF Francis Clark
PKF Francis Clark is an exceptional employer, recognised as a Great Place to Work for three consecutive years, offering a supportive and friendly culture that fosters personal and professional growth. As the largest independent chartered accountancy firm in South West England, we provide our Graduate Tax Trainees with comprehensive training, mentorship, and a clear pathway to career advancement, all while enjoying the benefits of flexible hybrid working and a focus on employee wellbeing. Join us to kickstart your tax career in a dynamic environment where you can truly belong and thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Tax Trainee - ATT/CTA - August 2026 in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or at networking events. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing a role with us.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by researching our company culture and values. We love candidates who align with our ethos, so show us how you fit in!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions and scenarios related to tax. Being able to discuss your analytical skills and how you handle numbers will impress us!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we review applications on a rolling basis, so get in early!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Tax Trainee - ATT/CTA - August 2026 in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Trainee Tax Advisor. We want to see your passion for tax and how you can contribute to our team!
Showcase Your Academic Achievements:Don’t forget to mention your academic qualifications, especially if you’re on track for that 2.2 or above! We love seeing candidates who are proud of their achievements and ready to take on the challenge of studying while working.
Be Yourself:We’re all about creating a friendly and supportive culture, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share your interests and what makes you unique – we want to get to know the real you!
Apply Early:Remember, we review applications on a rolling basis, so don’t wait too long to submit yours. Head over to our website and get your application in early to increase your chances of landing an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Francis Clark
✨Know Your Tax Basics
Before the interview, brush up on fundamental tax concepts and legislation. Being able to discuss topics like profit and loss statements or tax returns confidently will show your enthusiasm and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples from your studies or previous experiences where you demonstrated analytical thinking. Discuss how you approached a problem methodically, as this is crucial in tax advisory roles.
✨Engage with Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company culture, training opportunities, and team dynamics. This not only shows your interest but also helps you assess if the firm is the right fit for you.
✨Demonstrate Your People Skills
Since building relationships is key in this role, think of instances where you've successfully communicated or collaborated with others. Highlighting these experiences will illustrate your ability to connect with clients and colleagues alike.
