Audit and Accounts Trainee (Guildford)

Alliotts are an accountancy and tax advisory practice who can trace their origins back to 1869. With offices based in Guildford and Central London, they offer a full range of accountancy services with specialist teams who advise on business strategy and corporate finance; a strong Media team and China Desk are amongst its niche offerings.

Alliotts joined the Shaw Gibbs Group in September 2024, a growing top 35 accountancy practice who provide expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals. The Shaw Gibbs culture is very important to us and is based on our company values of expert, respectful, innovative and collaborative. We develop high performing teams diverse in experiences, backgrounds and ideas. As a growing company, there are plenty of opportunities for development and quick progression. Our practice is known for having a friendly and supportive team culture where everyone receives training and development to increase their technical knowledge and their commercial and management skills. We put our people first and are constantly looking for ways to improve our people experience. With respectful as one of our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that respects, values and celebrates cultural and individual differences.

We have several offices in Central and Southern England and have ambitious plans to expand our business. To support the organisation’s growth, we have created a new opportunity for an Audit and Accounts Trainee to join our Guildford Audit and Accounts team. This is a permanent full-time role with hybrid working options.

Job responsibilities

• This is a trainee position which includes full training and support in order to develop your skills and abilities for a long-term career within our practice.
• Your key responsibilities will include:

• Building productive working relationships within Shaw Gibbs and with clients as required.
• Developing and applying your technical knowledge through on-the-job training and formal qualifications.
• Using various software to provide accurate information and reporting for Managers, Partners and clients.
• Producing profit and loss accounts and balance sheets.
• Preparing basic tax computations and returns e.g. corporation tax.
• Preparing working papers including bank reconciliations, other reconciliations and manual control accounts.
• Helping to prepare statutory accounts and finalise accounts under the overall supervision of your manager.
• Assist in performing audit testing on less complex areas, such as bank and purchases. Also, participate in stock counts for audit clients.

Job requirements

• There are two routes to enter our training programme. You may apply after A-Levels (A,B,B) or equivalent qualifications. Alternatively, we welcome applications from university students who have achieved or are predicted to achieve a 2:1 or above.
• You must have GCSEs in Maths and English at grade 5 or above.
• Proven communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong IT skills, specifically Excel and able to pick up new IT packages very quickly.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• A positive, confident and proactive attitude.
• Enjoy working as part of a team and self-motivated.
• Willingness to undertake and succeed in a range of professional studies.
• Relevant work experience and/or experience of working within a practice environment would be great but is not essential.
• A willingness to travel to clients and other offices.

Job benefits

• Opportunity to join a longstanding firm with a rich history and strong employee culture, that has recently merged with a top 35 accountancy practice.
• Access to an international alliance ensuring a wide range of interesting international work and interaction with international colleagues.
• A supportive working culture with an open plan hot desking office for all staff and senior leaders.
• 35 hour week.
• 18 days’ paid holiday (increased by 1 day for each complete year of service to 30 June up to a maximum of 5 days) + Bank Holidays + 3 or 4 Christmas closure days.
• Opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.
• Hybrid working to encourage a healthy work-life balance.
• A positive and supportive workplace culture with frequent and varied opportunities to socialise and undertake activities with colleagues.
• Opportunities for progression and specialism in areas of focus.
• A volunteering day per year paid by the firm.
• Ongoing training and development support.
• Mental health team in the workplace and on demand counselling service available for staff 24/7 to support their wellbeing.
• ESG committee within the Firm driving sustainable change for our future.
• Ongoing technology initiative to ensure the Firm maximises the use and benefit of available technologies and AI to embrace change so that we don’t stand still.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

Shaw Gibbs is an inclusive employer and we are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates by ensuring a comfortable and accessible interview experience. We understand that some individuals may have specific needs or require accommodation/adjustments during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to ensure your recruitment experience with Shaw Gibbs is as inclusive and accessible as possible, please let us know at your earliest convenience via the application form or via an email to recruitment@shawgibbs.com.

We believe that diversity makes Shaw Gibbs a stronger firm and we look to employ people with different ideas, styles and skillsets. This diversity stimulates a rich, creative environment – one in which our people develop, and our clients enjoy enduring results. We’re committed to recruiting, promoting and rewarding our people solely based on their ability to contribute to Shaw Gibbs’ goals, without regard to their sex, gender, race, disability, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or marital status.

Right to work

Unfortunately, for this role we are unable to offer sponsorship for visas/work permits, so you will need to have full right to work in the UK. Your application will be automatically rejected if you do not have full right to work.