School Leaver Corporate Tax Trainee (ACA/CTA) - Peterborough - September 2026

Are you looking to start your career in corporate tax? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACA/CTA joint qualification.

Who we welcome

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from recent school leavers or career changers. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience.

About the programme

Our training contract takes four and a half years to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres. If you’re AAT Level 4 qualified, you will be eligible for exemptions; otherwise, we ask for all trainees to complete the full ACA/CTA. We believe that studying alongside a cohort gives you the best chance of exam success.

About the team

The team deals with a large portfolio of companies operating in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing, technology, retail, recruitment, financial services, hospitality and property. These clients range from smaller owner-managed businesses to large and complex listed groups, as well as charities and not-for-profit organisations. You'll work in a fast-paced environment on corporation tax compliance, including preparation of corporation tax returns and computations, advising on payment dates and dealing with all other administrative matters. In addition to compliance work, you’ll also have the opportunity to assist in tax advisory projects once you qualify and progress. As your understanding of taxation issues grows, so will the complexity of your workload. This is an exciting time to join our team which is expanding rapidly nationwide.

Key dates to apply

2 February 2026 - 15 February 2026. We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment. Due to high volume, you may experience delays in the process but we will review all submissions fairly.

Your role and development

Your growth doesn’t just come from exams; it comes from valuable work experience and real-world learning. As a Tax Trainee, you’ll be supported by experienced professionals and gradually introduced to a wide range of technical and advisory work. You’ll gain hands-on experience while building your knowledge of corporate tax compliance and advisory services. You can expect to be involved in:

• Supporting the tax compliance process, including assisting with tax accounting and learning how tax returns are prepared and submitted.
• Helping with technical research and assisting in responses to client queries and internal team questions.
• Learning how to identify advisory opportunities within client portfolios and contributing to tax planning discussions.
• Gaining insight into complex tax areas, such as capital allowances, R&D tax relief, transfer pricing, and international tax, with guidance from experienced team members.
• Assisting in stand-alone tax advisory projects, including learning about structuring acquisitions and disposals, transaction support, and due diligence.

We’ll support you every step of the way through mentorship, structured training, and our off-site trainee programmes as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.

What you’ll need

A minimum of 120 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels. A minimum of 6 (or B) in GCSE Maths and English Language (or equivalent). We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. Please apply as usual and be sure to include your qualification details in the academic section. If however, you have over 12 months relevant experience within a training contract at another firm, we recommend exploring part-qualified opportunities on our Experienced Hire vacancy page.

Where potential meets personal meets you

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values - those who are collaborative, enthusiastic, and act with integrity while always striving for excellence. You’ll be approachable and committed, ready to take ownership and go the extra mile to deliver our signature service. You won’t hesitate to speak up when something could be better and you’ll help to make it happen. We value drive, focus, and a positive attitude. Here, you’re never just a number. You’re valued for who you are. We want your personality and style to shine because we believe in caring more and letting egos take a back seat. We work hard, we support each other, and we enjoy the journey together. You’ll thrive in a close-knit team that takes pride in delivering high quality work. There’s real mutual respect here and a two-way relationship where we bring out the best in each other. We’ll help you get to know our clients, but it’s even better if you’re already curious about the broader economic landscape they operate in. Do your research. Ask questions. Be inquisitive. We know the exams are demanding, and we’ll be right there to support you every step of the way. Your commitment will play a big part in our continued success. You’ll be surrounded by people who value you, your contributions, and your potential.

We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

What we’ll offer you

We believe that supporting our people leads to success, so we provide both core and flexible benefits tailored to your needs:

• Profit-sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year)
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements
• Contributory pension plan (5% salary match)
• Work life balance & wellbeing
• Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home, however in your first few months we do encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues)
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources
• Mentorship & career progression opportunities
• Participation in our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) programme
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks for example Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Women

Before submitting your application, take some time to familiarise yourself with our recruitment process by visiting How to apply - Saffery. We also recommend practising psychometric tests and learning more about how to approach a face-to-face, competency-based interview. This will help you feel confident and prepared to show your best self. You can apply to just one of our programmes during each recruitment season. If your application isn’t successful this time, we’d love for you to try again when applications re-open next September for the following year. If you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances (such as bereavement, mental health challenges, or any other unforeseen situation), that may have impacted your academic performance, please reach out to us before you submit an application - EarlyCareersTalent@saffery.com. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by including the details in the relevant section on the application form. We’re committed to assessing all applicants fairly and want to do everything we can to support your success throughout the process. If you are selected for an in-person interview, we will provide reimbursement for your travel expenses. More information on what we cover will be shared at this stage of the process. If you're offered a place at Saffery, we kindly recommend holding off on booking any annual leave around your expected start date. This helps ensure you don’t miss out on important training and onboarding sessions that will set you up for success.