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- Tasks: Join our Audit Graduate Scheme to provide crucial financial insights and advice.
- Company: PKF Smith Cooper, a top UK accounting firm with a focus on developing talent.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days leave, social events, and opportunities for global travel.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in audit with hands-on experience and significant earning potential.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree or above, strong analytical skills, and a genuine interest in audit.
- Other info: Dynamic office in Derby with modern facilities and a supportive team culture.
Overview
Location: Derby
Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday)
Salary: Competitive starting salary with increases at key milestones to qualification.
Reports to: Audit Manager
About the role
If you are a graduate or soon-to-be graduate, our Audit Graduate Scheme is your gateway into a people-focused career with significant earning potential, bringing you new challenges and learning opportunities along the way. No prior experience in accounting or a specific degree is required!
At the heart of successful auditing is a desire to question everything. Our clients rely on you to challenge their assumptions and adopt an independent perspective to produce thorough financial insights into their accounts. From national companies to entrepreneurial start-ups, no two jobs are the same. You will develop your technical expertise in the classroom and in the office, learning as part of a close-knit team how to apply your knowledge to deliver exceptional results. Our auditors are among the best in the industry and can help you reach your full potential in the field. Audit is about more than numbers – you can have a real impact on the people and businesses behind the figures. By sustaining our clients\\\’ compliance, we open the door to future growth. For a varied and fulfilling career with significant earning potential, apply to join our Audit Graduate Scheme today.
Job description
On our Audit Graduate Scheme, you will get to know our clients and build close relationships to understand their needs. You will provide crucial advice on financial performance, business systems, and risks to help each client achieve their objectives. You would join us on an ACA or ACCA training contract, with the opportunity to work with a variety of businesses across different sectors and develop your knowledge and experience.
You will gain valuable technical skills, a broad commercial understanding, and in-depth knowledge of different industry sectors on your journey to becoming a qualified Accountant at PKF Smith Cooper. Throughout the scheme, you will receive specialist support to reach your full potential in audit. With an ambitious and supportive team behind you, you will become a key player in delivering and developing our audit services, and opportunities will grow as your experience increases.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with experienced audit professionals to plan and execute audit engagements for a diverse range of clients across various industries
- Assist in conducting risk assessments, document systems and controls, and perform substantive testing to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Analyse financial statements and related data to identify trends, discrepancies, and areas of concern
- Contribute to the evaluation of a client\\\’s financial health and provide insights to aid decision-making
- Maintain accurate and organised audit documentation in line with our standards and best practices
- Interact with clients and team members professionally and effectively, in written and verbal communication
- Articulate audit findings, observations, and recommendations clearly
- Collaborate with team members and other service lines to address audit-related challenges
- Stay updated on relevant audit regulations, standards, and industry developments
- Pass relevant professional qualifications the first time
Training and development
Training with PKF Smith Cooper offers depth and variety in your client assignments. Through our Audit Graduate Scheme, you will gain exposure to a wide range of work with businesses of all sizes, many local to our offices. Our partners take a direct interest in the development and progression of our graduates. We aim to equip every graduate with the skills they need to become a future leader – our Managing Partner started as a graduate at PKF Smith Cooper, so who knows what you could achieve. As an ICAEW and ACCA Approved Training Employer, we are recognised for our high-quality training and development.
Your skills and qualities
- Any degree at 2:1 or above, with a strong academic record at A Level and GCSE
- A genuine interest in pursuing a career in audit and accountancy
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
- Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team and adapt to changing priorities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office is beneficial
- Driving licence and access to a car is highly beneficial for travel to client sites
- No prior experience required
Why PKF Smith Cooper?
PKF Smith Cooper is the 12th largest accounting firm by UK fee income and a member of the PKF Global network. We operate with member firms in 150 countries to share ideas and resources for the benefit of our team and clients. We are a fast-growing firm and an ICAEW and ACCA Approved Training Employer, focused on developing homegrown talent through our training, development, and progression programme.
We aim to equip every graduate with the skills to become a future leader — our managing partner started at PKF Smith Cooper as a graduate, so who knows what you could achieve through our graduate scheme!
Why Derby?
Our headquarters are in Pride Park, Derby, with a three-floor office, breakout areas, modern meeting rooms, fully equipped kitchens, dining spaces, and an on-site gym.
What\\\’s in it for you?
Our benefits package reflects our values and our people. Highlights include:
- A working environment that empowers you to perform at your best with flexible working (subject to manager discretion) and a dress-for-your-diary policy
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, option to purchase extra leave, and your birthday off
- Prize draws four times a year with rewards such as spa days, AirPods, or trips to Paris
- A busy social calendar, team events, and committees
- Life assurance, healthcare cashback, and discounts on gym memberships and retailers
- Free personal finance and mortgage advice
- Opportunities to travel the world through PKF One Week More and secondments
How to apply
Apply now if you believe you have what we are looking for. Even if you do not tick 100% of the boxes, we encourage you to apply.
If you have questions, contact the People team at careers@pkfsmithcooper.com or 01332 332021.
Note: We only accept CVs from partnered agencies; unsolicited CVs will be ignored. Interested in partnering with us in the future? Please contact our People team via the details above.
Department: Audit
Locations: Derby – Headquarters
Employment type: Apprenticeship
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Audit - Derby Graduate 2026 employer: PKF Smith Cooper
Contact Detail:
PKF Smith Cooper Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Audit - Derby Graduate 2026
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend networking events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and practising common interview questions. Think about how your skills align with the role and be ready to share examples of your experiences. Remember, it’s not just about what you know, but how you communicate it!
✨Show Your Passion
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm shine through! Talk about why you’re excited about a career in audit and how you can contribute to their team. Genuine passion can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about our Audit Graduate Scheme and what we’re looking for in candidates like you.
We think you need these skills to ace Audit - Derby Graduate 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and qualities mentioned in the job description. Highlight any relevant experiences, even if they’re not directly related to audit, to show us your potential.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your genuine interest in audit and accountancy, and explain why you want to join our Graduate Scheme. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since we value analytical and problem-solving abilities, include examples in your application that demonstrate these skills. Whether it's through academic projects or personal experiences, let us see how you think!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at PKF Smith Cooper
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on basic accounting principles and audit processes. Even if you don’t have a specific degree, showing that you understand the fundamentals will impress your interviewers and demonstrate your genuine interest in the field.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company’s audit practices and client relationships. This shows that you’re not just interested in the role but also in how you can contribute to their success and learn from their expertise.
✨Showcase Your Soft Skills
Highlight your communication and teamwork abilities during the interview. Since auditing is about collaboration and client interaction, sharing examples of how you've worked effectively in teams or communicated complex ideas will set you apart.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Be ready to discuss how you handle changing priorities and challenges. The audit environment can be dynamic, so sharing experiences where you successfully adapted to new situations will resonate well with the interviewers.
