School Leaver Accounts Trainee (ACA) - Peterborough - September 2027

Your future starts here. Are you looking to start your career in Accounts, helping businesses understand their financial performance and make informed decisions? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACA qualification.

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. We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

Who We Welcome

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from upcoming and 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 years to complete with full support and access to first‑class tuition centres. You’ll follow a structured development programme combining professional study with on‑the‑job learning. As your knowledge and confidence develop, you’ll take on more complex work, contribute to projects and build your expertise as a trusted advisor. Our bespoke School Leaver Programme includes a six‑week business simulation designed to build key professional skills such as teamwork, decision‑making and leadership.

If you’re AAT Level 4 qualified, you will be eligible for exemptions; otherwise, we ask for all trainees to complete the full ACA syllabus. We believe that studying alongside a cohort gives you the best chance of exam success.

Your role and development

Your growth doesn't just come from exams. It comes from valuable work experience and real‑world learning.

• Assist with preparing financial statements, management accounts and related analysis.
• Work with client financial data using a range of accounting systems and tools.
• Assist with resolving day‑to‑day accounting queries as you gain experience, building confidence over time.
• Prepare accurate, high‑quality work for review by senior team members.

What You’ll Learn

• Core accounting principles, financial reporting standards and regulatory requirements.
• How businesses operate and how financial information supports decision‑making.
• How to interpret financial data and communicate insights.
• The practical application of your professional qualification studies in real‑world scenarios.

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 Highers (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels.
• A minimum of 6 (or B) in GCSE or National 5 Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. If you have completed AAT studies (up to Level 4) in place of A Levels or Highers, please detail this under the A Level, Scottish Highers (or equivalent) qualifications section on your application form.

Where potential meets personal meets you

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values. We're looking for individuals who are collaborative, responsible, progressive and act with integrity, whilst always striving for excellence. You’ll be approachable, committed and ready to take ownership of your work, with a proactive and curious mindset and a genuine interest in how businesses operate.

We value people who are organised, pay close attention to detail, enjoy working with financial data, and can manage their time effectively. You’ll thrive in a close‑knit team environment, working collaboratively with others while taking responsibility for your own development.

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.
• Profit‑sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year).
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements.
• Contributory pension plan (5% salary match).
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings.
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources.

What To Know Before You Apply

Before submitting your application, take some time to familiarise yourself with our recruitment process. 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.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, please look out for further details throughout our assessment process on how to request throughout each stage of our application and assessment process. We’re committed to assessing all applicants fairly and want to do everything we can to support your success throughout the process.