Audit Assistant - Placement - Preston - September 2026

Make an impact at RSM UK – External Audit. Envision pursuing a career path where each day presents unique challenges, a chance for growth and is filled with possibilities. Join our audit team on a 12-month paid placement as part of your sandwich degree course and gain hands-on experience. Our placement programme allows you to experience working in the audit team alongside current trainees and experienced members of the team. You’ll also benefit from on-the-job training and gain access to our internal training courses that will help you develop in the role. If you perform well, you could be given the opportunity to join one of our graduate training programmes.

As a member of our audit team, you will conduct a thorough, risk-focused review on a range of clients’ financial records, processes, and controls. You’ll play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy of financial statements, whilst building trust and confidence among stakeholders.

You’ll make an impact by:

• Becoming a key member of our team from day one, you will have the opportunity to engage in client work very quickly, initially as part of a larger team before taking on individual responsibility for projects.
• Working with a wide variety of clients, ranging from owner managed businesses, through to large listed groups as well as charities, pension schemes and other not-for-profit organisations.

Join our audit team, help shape our future and gain valuable experience as you take the next steps in your career.

What we are looking for:

We think passion, personality and originality are important to thrive at RSM. If you’re looking for a role where you can grow, collaborate, and make an impact, here’s what you’ll need to be considered:

• A minimum of 112 UCAS points across 3 A Levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification, or 104 UCAS points across 4 Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers or Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level).
• Be enrolled on a placement degree.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills are crucial to convey information clearly and concisely for successful collaboration with team members and clients.
• The ability to analyse and interpret data in order to solve problems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, which enable you to build and maintain working relationships with colleagues and clients and remain calm under pressure.
• A genuine interest in business and commerce with the ability to demonstrate a commercial outlook through organisational and time management skills.
• A willingness to travel to client sites and other offices as required.

If that sounds like you, we know you’ll enjoy being part of our team.

Please note, RSM does not accept General Studies, AS levels or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The start date for this role is on 22 September 2026. Please note, our start dates are mandatory due to the internal and professional training you receive upon joining the firm, to offer you the best start to your career with us.

What we can offer you:

You’ll discover a culture that nurtures individuality and an environment where everyone is supported to reach their potential. With us, you’ll build a network of contacts and gain advice from our expert mentors. Have access to lifestyle, health, and wellbeing benefits which you can tailor to your requirements.

Following changes to government policy in April 2024, we can only accept applications from individuals with an existing, permanent, right to live and work in the UK for this role.

Disclaimer: RSM will only take one application into consideration per recruitment cycle. We do not accept multiple applications to different vacancies.