Audit Trainee (ACA) - London/Corporate Group - September 2026 in City of London

Overview

Audit Trainee (ACA) - London/Corporate Group - September 2026. We are seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACA qualification.

Your future starts here Are you looking to start your career in audit? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACA qualification.

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

About The Corporate Group The Corporate Audit Group provides audit and accounting support, and wider advice, to a diverse range of clients across various sectors, including real estate, recruitment, retail and hospitality, and financial services. Our clients range from smaller, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurial enterprises to medium and large international groups. We also work with a variety of charities and other not-for-profit organisations. As you progress through your training contract, you’ll have the opportunity to tailor your client portfolio to suit your interests, whether that means specialising in a particular sector or maintaining a varied client base.

If you have a particular interest in developing expertise within the Not-for-Profit and Charities sector from the outset, we encourage you to highlight this in your application. We have a dedicated team that focuses on auditing charity and not-for-profit clients, offering exposure to a diverse range of organisations. While their primary focus is within this sector, you’ll also gain experience across the broader portfolio.

About The NFP/Charities Team The Not-For-Profit (NFP) team in London works with charities and not-for-profit organisations ranging from new start-ups to centuries old livery companies. Our clients include grant makers, fundraising charities, membership organisations, hospices, independent schools, service delivery charities and theatres and cultural organisations. We advise our clients on tax, VAT and accounting issues, and provide a risk-based audit for many. The NFP team sits within the wider Corporate Group which in turn advises businesses ranging from smaller, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurial enterprises to medium and large international groups.

If these types of clients don’t sound like the best choice for you, you may want to consider our other departments such as the Film, TV and Video Games Group or the Private Client Group. Please look at our live vacancies to explore these possible options.

About The Programme Our training contract takes three 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. We believe that studying alongside a cohort gives you the best chance of exam success.

Key Dates To Apply Window 1: 15 September 2025 - 3 October 2025
Window 2: 3 November 2025 - 21 November 2025. 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.

Start Date The start date will be in early September, and so we advise you to avoid holidays during this time.

Your role and development

Your growth doesn’t just come from exams, and it comes from valuable work experience and real-world learning.

• You\'ll be taken through the various stages of an audit from planning to completion.
• Work on audit and accounts preparation assignments for clients across diverse industries.
• Learn how to conduct client reviews, audit testing, and financial analysis.
• Visit client sites and build strong relationships to gain a deeper understanding of their business.
• Progressively take on more responsibility, enabling you to understand the full audit cycle.

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

• 2:1 undergraduate degree (expected or obtained) in any discipline
• 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 include your qualification details in the academic section. If 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 ACA 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. 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:

Financial support & flexibility

• Competitive salary & paid overtime or time off in lieu
• 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; in your first few months we 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

Personal development and belonging

• 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

Who We Are

Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale. We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers. When you work with Saffery, the well-respected accountancy firm where heritage meets ambition, you work with people who know your name. Who know you as a human being, not just a job title. Everyone belongs here. Always.

Ready to start your journey? Explore Life At Saffery & Apply Today

Life at Saffery

What To Know Before You Apply

• 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.