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- Tasks: Join us as a Graduate Accounts Trainee and kickstart your career in accounts with real-world experience.
- Company: Saffery, a people-focused firm with a rich history and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible work arrangements, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make an impact while studying for your ACA qualification in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: 2:1 degree and minimum 120 UCAS points required; no prior experience needed.
- Other info: Mentorship, career progression, and a vibrant team culture await you!
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 30000 £ per year.
Are you looking to start your career in Accounts? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACA qualification. We welcome applications from recent graduates or career changers. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience.
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.
Your growth doesn’t just come from exams; it comes from valuable work experience and real-world learning. You’ll work in a friendly and progressive environment in a client-facing, fast-paced role which includes advisory elements and often deals with high-profile clients. The work is varied and ranges from typical year-end compliance through to ad-hoc advisory and project work. The client base is a mix of sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, limited liability partnerships, trusts, and smaller private charities.
The role would include (but is not limited to) the following, within agreed deadlines:
- Preparing management accounts, including reconciling all key account balances and tailoring the presentation specific 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 a variety of 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 as appropriate
- Processing work on Xero and other accounting software
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 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.
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.
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
- 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
- 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
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.
Ready to start your journey? Explore Life At Saffery & Apply Today.
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.
Graduate Accounts Trainee (ACA) - Peterborough - September 2026 employer: Saffery
Contact Detail:
Saffery Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Graduate Accounts Trainee (ACA) - Peterborough - September 2026
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Saffery, their values, and the kind of work they do. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Before your interview, run through common questions and think about how your experiences align with the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Be yourself! Saffery values personality and authenticity, so don’t be afraid to let your true self shine through. Share your passions and interests, and don’t hesitate to ask questions that show your curiosity about the role and the company.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and serious about joining our team. Don’t wait until the last minute; early applications are encouraged!
We think you need these skills to ace Graduate Accounts Trainee (ACA) - Peterborough - September 2026
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to know who you are beyond your qualifications. Show us your enthusiasm and why this role excites you.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Graduate Accounts Trainee role. Highlight any relevant skills or experiences, even if they’re from different fields. We love seeing how diverse backgrounds can bring fresh perspectives!
Do Your Research: Before hitting send, take a moment to research Saffery and our values. Mentioning what you admire about our firm in your application can really make you stand out. It shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team!
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment. Plus, it gives us more time to review your submission thoroughly. Head over to our website and get started!
How to prepare for a job interview at Saffery
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the basics of accounting and the ACA qualification. Brush up on key concepts and be ready to discuss how your academic background relates to the role. This shows your enthusiasm and readiness to learn.
✨Show Your Curiosity
During the interview, ask insightful questions about the firm and its clients. Demonstrating curiosity about the economic landscape and the challenges clients face will highlight your proactive attitude and eagerness to contribute.
✨Be Yourself
Saffery values personality and authenticity, so don’t be afraid to let your true self shine through. Share your experiences and what drives you, as this helps build a connection with the interviewers and shows you’re a good fit for their culture.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Familiarise yourself with common competency-based questions and think of examples from your past experiences that showcase your skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
