School Leaver Programme, Private Client Tax - Guildford (Sept 2026)

Full-time Office Location: Guildford (Onslow)

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations. Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

Introduction to the Private Client Tax team at S&W

Our Private Client Tax Services team helps individuals from all walks of life with their tax issues. With over 6,000 private tax clients and 1,500 trusts, our team’s client base is incredibly diverse, including high-net-worth families and individuals, as well as entrepreneurs, business owners and family businesses. You will be joining a team that supports clients to meet their tax compliance obligations, liaises with HMRC on their behalf and provides advice to assist with their short and long-term needs and objectives. This can include preparing their tax returns, repayment claims, computations, accounts, advice and dealing with any correspondence from HMRC.

What will you be doing?

As part of our Private Client Tax team, you will combine hands-on practical experience which could be advising on tax efficient strategies or helping clients with financial planning whilst studying. You will be given responsibility from an early stage in your career. By the second year, you will be taking on a more senior role with smaller clients and helping to supervise the new intake of trainees. As your experience grows, you may have opportunities to experience other assignments such as control reviews and due diligence projects. During your training contract you will study towards the ATT/CTA. You will also achieve the government-recognised Level 7 professional qualification, developing essential soft skills sought out in the professional services sector. You will begin studying towards your first professional exams, developing knowledge that will support your work in the department. Through tuition via an acclaimed provider, and a qualified team with the same experience, you will have the support and resources to study for these exams.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Liaising with clients and third parties to obtain necessary information
• Preparation of basic tax returns or repayment claim forms
• Advising clients of their forthcoming tax liabilities and tax matters affecting them
• Assisting in the preparation of tax advice for clients including technical tax research, strategic planning and drafting of reports for clients
• Dealing with correspondence from clients, HMRC and other third parties. This can be via letter, email or telephone.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be committed working towards the Associate Tax Technician and Chartered Tax Advisor (ATT/CTA), a level 7 professional qualification
• A Level: Predicted or obtained minimum 112 UCAS points in top three A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies
• GCSE: Minimum Grade 5 (or equivalent), in English Language and Maths respectively

Learning & Development

You’ll be supported in completing your qualification; gaining the finance knowledge, accountancy skills and real-world business experience to jumpstart your career. And you won’t do it alone - you’ll be joining as part of a cohort with your own personal support network, including a buddy to offer first-hand experience. Your qualification training will be supported by a leading UK training provider, and you’ll be given the space and time to study whilst developing a variety of skills to become a well-rounded advisor. You’ll receive guidance and support each step of the way by our dedicated Learning & Development team and training contact for your department to make sure you have everything you need to realise your potential from day one.

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include:

• Fully funded training towards professional qualifications
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Shared parental leave
• Eye care support

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workspace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment. We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

When you click on the ‘I’m interested’ button you’ll be taken to your profile page. We’re in the process of updating it but in the meantime: We can only accept one application to any of our programmes in a recruitment season. If you are unsuccessful, you will need to wait until the next September when we re-open applications for the following year. Under the ‘Experience’ section, if you do not have any experience please enter ‘N/A’ into the ‘Title’ text box and choose a random end and start date. Under the ‘Education’ section you do NOT need to include all your education details as we’ll ask for this separately once you’ve completed your profile. All you need to do is fill in the ‘Institution’ (aka School) question which is mandatory. Under the ‘Resume’ (aka CV) section, it is mandatory for you to upload a document, however, it will not be reviewed. The ‘Message to Hiring Manager’ text box is NOT mandatory and will not be formally reviewed.