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- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience in accountancy and tax while working on real client projects.
- Company: Join PKF Francis Clark, a leading independent chartered accountancy firm in the South West.
- Benefits: Enjoy a paid placement with exposure to professional services and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with real-world experience and support from experienced colleagues.
- Qualifications: Bright undergraduates in their penultimate year, on track for a 2.2 degree or above.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a focus on wellbeing and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 500 - 1500 £ per month.
Spend six weeks with us this summer and gain real, hands-on experience in the world of accountancy and tax. Designed for undergraduates in their penultimate year of study, our paid summer placement will give you valuable insight into professional services, helping you build confidence, practical skills, and clarity about your future career.
From day one, you’ll be treated as part of the team, working on real client projects and gaining exposure to the work our professionals do every day.
What you'll be doing
During your placement, you’ll be challenged and supported as you work across a variety of sectors and client types. You’ll contribute to client work involving start-ups, AIM-listed companies, and inspiring not-for-profit organisations, giving you a broad and realistic insight into a career in accountancy and tax.
You’ll have the opportunity to experience some or all of the following departments:
- Audit & Assurance
- Business Advisory
- Agriculture and Landed Estates
- Tax
Throughout the programme, you’ll get involved in meaningful work, including:
- Preparing financial statements for limited companies, partnerships, and sole traders
- Auditing financial statements as part of a collaborative audit team
- Analysing accounting data from clients’ books and records
- Supporting the preparations of individual, business and company tax computations and returns
- Researching businesses, industries, and market trends to support client work
Successful completion of the summer placement may lead to an offer on our graduate scheme.
About You
If you’re interested in a career in accountancy or tax and would like to gain insight into the profession before you graduate, our summer placement could be a great fit. This programme is designed to give you a realistic understanding of what it’s like to work as an accountant or tax advisor, while developing skills you can take forward into your career.
You’ll Enjoy This Placement If You Like
- Taking initiative and working towards goals
- Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
- Building great relationships and working collaboratively
- Working with numbers and solving problems in a real business context
- Taking an analytical and methodical approach to your work
What we're looking for
Bright, motivated undergraduates in your penultimate year of study. You’ll be expected to demonstrate the following:
- On track for a 2.2 degree or above in any discipline
- Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained from three A Levels or equivalent, excluding general studies and EPQ)
- GCSE Maths and English grade 4 (C) or above
- Available to start in June 2026
What you'll gain
- Exposure to professional accountancy and tax work in a supportive environment
- The opportunity to develop technical, analytical, and professional skills
- Insight to help you decide whether a career in accountancy or tax is right for you
- Support from experienced colleagues throughout the placement
How to apply
Apply online by midnight on Sunday, 8 March 2026. We recommend applying early, as the window may close if we receive a high number of applications.
Recruitment Process
Our Selection Process Includes The Following Stages:
- Online application
- Verbal and numerical reasoning tests
- Pre-recorded video interview
- Online written exercise
- In person interview
We’re committed to creating an inclusive and positive experience for all candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, whether related to a disability, neurodiversity, or any other need, please let us know, and we’ll do our best to support you.
Why work at PKF Francis Clark
As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a breadth of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you. Established in 1919, we’ve grown to a team of nearly 1,000 people, based across our offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. This means we’re big enough to do challenging work for exciting clients, but small enough to maintain our friendly and supportive culture.
We work hard to ensure you can belong, be yourself and be brilliant as part of a forward-thinking team. This includes an adaptable approach to hybrid working. Our focus on wellbeing and learning and development has been recognised nationally.
For the past three years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces. In 2025, we climbed four places to 20 out of 100 large organisations on this prestigious list. We’re also in the UK’s top 10 Best Workplaces for Women (6 out of 100 large organisations), as well as being ranked among the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing (35 out of 100), Best Workplaces for Development (24 out of 100) and Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services. These lists are compiled by workplace culture experts Great Place to Work. Our rankings are a direct result of feedback from our people in a confidential, independent annual survey.
The success rates of our trainees mean we’re also ranked 33rd in The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025.
While we’re proudly independent, we collaborate with colleagues around the world to enable our clients to succeed. PKF Francis Clark is a member of the PKF Global family of firms – together we’re the 12th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK. Being part of this international network provides opportunities to connect with like-minded accountants and business advisers in 150 countries.
Your core benefits
Financial Benefits
- Pension
- Group life assurance - up to four times your core salary
- Group income protection
- Health cash plan to help cover the costs of everyday healthcare
Health & Wellbeing Benefits
- Option to buy 5 extra days holiday*
- Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
- Virtual GP for you and your immediate family
- Cycle to work*
Other Benefits
- Medicash Extras providing you with shopping and gym discounts
- Gifts for career and family milestones
- One volunteering day per year to support local organisations
- Emergency funding from the Francis Clark Charitable Foundation
PKF Francis Clark is an Equal Opportunities employer with a keen and passionate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We’re dedicated to fostering a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals. We do not discriminate based upon age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and all aspects of employment at PKF Francis Clark are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments or accommodations for applicants, so if you need assistance or support during the recruitment process please let us know. We promise to reply to all applications.
Six-week Paid Summer Placement – (Graduate Scheme Pathway) June 2026 - Torquay employer: TargetJobs UK
Contact Detail:
TargetJobs UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Six-week Paid Summer Placement – (Graduate Scheme Pathway) June 2026 - Torquay
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company before your interview! Research their values, recent projects, and culture. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. The more comfortable you are with your responses, the more confident you'll feel during the actual interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role or the company. This shows that you’re engaged and eager to learn more about what they do.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It’s also a great opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position.
We think you need these skills to ace Six-week Paid Summer Placement – (Graduate Scheme Pathway) June 2026 - Torquay
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your enthusiasm for accountancy and tax.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what we’re looking for. Mention specific projects or coursework that relate to the work we do at PKF Francis Clark.
Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!: Before hitting send, give your application a thorough read. Typos and grammatical errors can distract from your message, so take the time to ensure everything is polished and professional.
Apply Early: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We recommend applying early as spots may fill up quickly. Head over to our website and get your application in before the deadline!
How to prepare for a job interview at TargetJobs UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the basics of accountancy and tax. Brush up on key terms and concepts that are relevant to the role. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the field.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples from your studies or any relevant experience that demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills. Think about times when you've worked with numbers or tackled a challenging project, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the company culture, the types of clients they work with, or the specific departments you'll be exposed to during the placement. This shows you're engaged and eager to learn more.
✨Practice Makes Perfect
Consider doing mock interviews with friends or family. Practising common interview questions can help you articulate your thoughts clearly and reduce nerves. The more comfortable you are speaking about your experiences, the better you'll perform in the actual interview.
