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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare accounts, assist clients, and manage projects in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Saffery, a people-focused firm with a rich history since 1855.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible work, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Kickstart your accounting career with mentorship and real client exposure.
- Qualifications: 120 UCAS points and strong GCSEs in Maths and English required.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 8000 - 12000 £ per month.
Accounts Trainee (AAT/ACCA) – Peterborough – September 2026
Saffery, Peterborough, England, United Kingdom
Overview
We are seeking ambitious individuals to start a career in Accounts, studying towards the AAT/ACCA qualification. The programme runs 4.5 years with full support and access to tuition centres. Opportunities welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including recent school leavers and career changers, with no required prior work experience.
Your role and development
You will work in a friendly and progressive, client-facing, fast-paced role that includes advisory elements and exposure to high-profile clients. The work is varied and ranges from year-end compliance through to ad-hoc advisory and project work for a client base of sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, LLPs, trusts and smaller private charities. Development includes mentorship, structured training, and off-site trainee programmes, with regular social events to build team connections.
Responsibilities
- Preparing management accounts, reconciling key account balances, and tailoring presentation to each client
- Assisting and advising clients on issues in their accounting systems, including software migration
- Agreeing and executing payment runs on clients’ behalf using online banking platforms
- Preparing VAT and Intrastat returns
- Preparation of year-end financial statements
- Carrying out and reviewing ad hoc tasks such as cash flows, budgets and information for third parties
- Maintaining relationships with clients and taking ownership of projects and tasks
- Processing work on Xero and other accounting software
Qualifications
- A minimum of 120 UCAS points from 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 include qualification details in the academic section
- If you have over 12 months relevant experience within a training contract at another firm, consider exploring part-qualified opportunities on our Experienced Hire vacancy page
What We’ll Offer You
- Competitive salary and paid overtime or time off in lieu
- Profit-sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year)
- Generous annual leave and flexible work arrangements
- Contributory pension plan (5% salary match)
- Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
- Agile working policy (up to three days home working; in initial months, up to 4 days in the office for training)
- Health assessments, GP access, and cancer screenings
- Access to mental health and wellbeing resources
- Mentorship and career progression opportunities
- Participation in Equality, Diversity & Inclusion programmes and staff networks
Who We Are
Saffery is a partner-led, people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with diverse, high-profile clients across varied sectors. We are part of Nexia and value an informal, inclusive culture where people can be themselves and pursue challenging, rewarding careers.
We’re committed to supporting your journey with onboarding, training, and a collaborative environment. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.
How to Apply & What to Know
- Familiarise yourself with our recruitment process by visiting How to apply – Saffery
- Practice psychometric tests and interview preparation to feel confident in competency-based interviews
- You may apply to one programme per recruitment season; if unsuccessful, try again next year
- If extenuating circumstances affected academic performance, contact EarlyCareersTalent@Saffery.com
- Please indicate any reasonable adjustments required on the application form
- Selected candidates for in-person interviews will have travel expenses reimbursed
- If offered a place, avoid booking start-date annual leave to ensure training and onboarding success
Note: This role description reflects current information and may be updated. EEO statements apply.
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Accounts Trainee (AAT/ACCA) - Peterborough - September 2026 employer: Saffery
Contact Detail:
Saffery Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Accounts Trainee (AAT/ACCA) - Peterborough - September 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Saffery. Understand their values, culture, and the kind of clients they work with. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Use mock interviews to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on competency-based questions since they’re key in this role. We can help you prepare by providing resources and tips to ace those tricky scenarios.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your soft skills! As an Accounts Trainee, you'll be client-facing, so highlight your communication and teamwork abilities. Share examples from school projects or any group activities where you took the lead or helped resolve conflicts.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about the opportunity. Don’t forget to follow up after your application – a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Accounts Trainee (AAT/ACCA) - Peterborough - September 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for accounts shine through! We want to see why you're excited about starting your career with us and how you plan to tackle the AAT/ACCA journey.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role. Highlight any relevant skills or experiences, even if they’re from school projects or part-time jobs. We love seeing how you can relate your background to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read and gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our recruitment process there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Saffery
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your accounting basics! Since this role involves preparing management accounts and financial statements, make sure you can confidently discuss key concepts like VAT, cash flows, and reconciliations. It’ll show that you’re serious about the role and ready to dive into the numbers.
✨Research the Company
Take some time to learn about Saffery and its culture. Understanding their values and client base will help you tailor your answers during the interview. Plus, it shows that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team and not just any accounting firm.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team. Think of examples from school projects or any relevant experiences where you demonstrated these skills. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the mentorship programme or how they support career progression. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
