12-Month Industrial Placement – Audit & Accounts

PEM; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave per year

GymFlex and other flexible benefits

Social events and team-building

Modern technology and tools

Friendly and flexible work environment

Job summary

PEM in Cambridge invites motivated undergraduates to join a 12-month industrial placement in our Audit and Accounts team. You’ll gain hands-on client experience from day one, assisting with audits, accounts preparation and basic tax computations, while receiving mentoring and structured training to build technical and professional skills.

This placement is designed to develop your accounting knowledge, commercial awareness and client-facing abilities, with a supportive, people-first culture

Qualifications

• Penultimate year undergraduate, predicted 2:2 or higher.
• Interest in accountancy, audit or business advisory.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Professional, detail-oriented and flexible within a busy team.
• Commitment to high professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist with audit assignments for a varied client base.
• Support accounts preparation and basic tax computations.
• Work on client-site and office-based projects.
• Learn to process, analyse and review financial information.
• Develop accounting principles, audit processes and financial reporting understanding.
• Receive regular feedback and mentoring to support growth.
• Build confidence communicating with clients and colleagues.
• Connect with early careers colleagues through training and social events.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Flexibility

Attention to detail

Interest in accountancy

Education

Penultimate year undergraduate degree

Relevant subjects: maths, business, economics, accountancy, finance

Job description

Launch your career at Cambridge’s largest accountancy firm.

Are you a motivated university undergraduate looking for an industrial placement ready to gain hands‑on experience where your work matters, your development is supported every step of the way and your future is built on real client experience from day one?

At PEM, you’ll join a firm that has been putting people first for over 150 years. We’ve grown into the region’s largest firm of accountants, tax and business advisers – supporting businesses and individuals including owner‑managed businesses, technology companies, charities and not‑for‑profit organisations across the UK.

As an Industrial Placement student in our Audit and Accounts team, you’ll work alongside experienced colleagues, assisting with audit assignments, accounts preparation and basic tax computations. You’ll gain practical experience across a diverse client base and see first‑hand how accountancy and audit help businesses operate with confidence. This is more than a year in industry. It’s an opportunity to build the technical, commercial and professional skills that can shape your future career.

Why PEM?

• A firm with heritage and purpose – Since 1875, PEM has grown from a small local practice to Cambridge’s largest firm of accountants, tax and business advisers, while keeping relationships and exceptional client service at the heart of everything we do.


• Real client exposure from the start – Work on live audit and accounts assignments for a varied client base, including local owner‑managed businesses.


• A supportive placement experience – Receive comprehensive training, mentoring and regular feedback from experienced colleagues who are invested in your development.


• Progression that’s planned, not promised – Build valuable technical, client‑service and commercial skills that can support your progression into a future career in accountancy.


• A culture that gives back – Through the PEM Charitable Trust, our people nominate and award grants of up to £2,000 to local Cambridge charities. To date, we’ve donated over £95,000 and celebrated our 150th grant in 2025.

Life at PEM: giving back to our community.

Across the firm, our people choose to support local causes through the PEM Charitable Trust. This is a firm‑wide initiative, not a duty of this role. Colleagues nominate and award grants to local charities, donating over £95,000 to date and celebrating the 150th grant in 2025. From charity challenges to volunteer days, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved if you wish, championing causes close to your heart and seeing the real‑world impact of our collective work.

Your journey as an Industrial Placement student

You’ll join our Audit and Accounts team for a 12‑month industrial placement, working as part of the team from day one – not just as a placement student.

Working Within Our Audit And Accounts Team, You’ll

• Assist with audit assignments for a varied portfolio of clients.


• Support accounts preparation and basic tax computations.


• Work on both client‑site and office‑based projects.


• Learn how to process, analyse and review financial information accurately.


• Develop your understanding of accounting principles, audit processes, tax and financial reporting.


• Work with experienced colleagues to ensure accuracy, compliance and high service standards.


• Handle day‑to‑day client queries and administrative tasks.


• Support the smooth running of assignments and help meet client deadlines.


• Learn how to identify issues, ask appropriate questions and contribute to practical solutions.


• Receive regular feedback, coaching and mentoring to support your growth.


• Build confidence communicating with clients and colleagues.


• Connect with other early careers colleagues through structured training sessions and social events.


• Build the technical, commercial and client‑facing skills that can support your long‑term career in accountancy.

What we’re looking for

We’re interested in the person as much as the grades. You’ll be a motivated undergraduate who enjoys problem‑solving, working with numbers and building relationships – and who wants to make the most of a year in industry.

Essential

• Currently in the penultimate year of a degree ideally in a relevant subject such as maths, business, economics, accountancy, finance or another analytical discipline.


• Predicted 2:2 degree classification or higher.


• An interest in accountancy, audit or business advisory.


• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.


• A professional approach with a good eye for detail.


• The ability to work flexibly and supportively within a busy team.


• Commitment to maintaining high professional standards.

Career development

At PEM, progression isn’t something we simply talk about – it’s something we actively invest in.

You’ll Benefit From

• Comprehensive training and mentoring throughout your placement.


• Support from experienced specialists and partners.


• Regular feedback and coaching to help you develop.


• Opportunities to build your profile within the accountancy sector.


• Exposure to a broad and varied client base.


• Practical experience that can support future applications for graduate roles and professional qualifications.

Benefits & rewards

Alongside a Market‑leading Salary, You’ll Receive

• Annual leave: 25 days per year.


• GymFlex, shopping discounts, cycle to work and other flexible benefit options.


• Social events and team‑building activities to foster a fun and engaging workplace.


• Access to modern technology and tools that enhance your work experience.


• A friendly, supportive and flexible work environment.

Join PEM and start your career journey at a firm that has been putting people first for over 150 years.