AAT Accountancy Apprentice - Business Advisory - January 2027

PKF Francis Clark; Exeter; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Health cash plan

Volunteer day

Wellbeing programme

Job summary

PKF Francis Clark in Exeter is recruiting a Trainee Accountant who will study toward the AAT qualification while gaining hands-on experience with local clients.

You'll learn to prepare financial information, support client queries and work with colleagues in tax, audit and financial planning, with full training funded by the firm.

This role offers strong progression, a Great Place to Work culture and a hybrid approach as you balance study and work.

Qualifications

• No prior accountancy experience required.
• GCSE Maths and English grade 4 or above.
• Willingness to travel to client sites and other offices.

Responsibilities

• Support a wide range of clients within the Business Advisory department.
• Learn to prepare financial information and assist with client queries.
• Collaborate with colleagues in tax, audit and financial planning.

Job description

In a nutshell

Join us as a Trainee Accountant and work towards your AAT qualification while gaining valuable hands‑on experience. You'll earn while you learn, developing your technical knowledge and professional skills alongside your studies.

We pay for all your training and qualifications and support you every step of the way. From day one, you'll be involved in a variety of interesting work, helping professional clients make informed business decisions while developing your skills in critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, communication and resilience.

We're proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for the third year running. Our people enjoy a friendly culture, strong support networks, a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and a positive work life balance. Combined with clear career progression and the stability of an established and growing firm, this is an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career with long-term job security.

What you'll be doing

You’ll join our Business Advisory department, supporting a wide range of clients, from small local businesses and family‑run companies and private individuals.

As part of the team, you will gain a broad understanding of accounting and business support while developing valuable professional skills. You will learn how to prepare financial information, support clients with their queries and work alongside colleagues in specialist areas such as tax, audit and financial planning. This is a great opportunity to build a strong foundation for your career, develop your confidence in a professional environment and gain insight into how different businesses operate.

Within the department, we also have a specialist Agriculture and Landed Estates team that works with a variety of rural clients, from traditional farming businesses to historic country estates. If you join this team, you will develop practical accounting and business skills while learning about the unique challenges and opportunities faced by businesses in the rural sector. You will work closely with clients and colleagues, helping to support businesses that play an important role in local communities. You will also have the opportunity to attend industry events, providing valuable exposure to the sector and helping you to build professional relationships from the very start of your career.

If one of these teams particularly interests you, please let us know your preference on your application and we will take this into consideration during the recruitment process.

About you

About you

You’ll enjoy this role if you like:

• Using critical thinking and problem-solving skills to overcome challenges
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Building strong relationships and working collaboratively as part of a team
• Taking initiative and achieving goals
• Working with numbers and analysing information
• Being analytical and methodical in your approach
• Developing resilience and adapting to new situations while balancing work and study

Studying alongside working requires commitment and good organisation, but we’ll support you throughout your journey. Most trainees complete their AAT qualification within two years, developing valuable technical and professional skills along the way.

Combined Pathway

For ambitious individuals looking to accelerate your career, we offer a combined pathway that enables you to complete both your AAT and ACA qualifications over approximately four and a half years. This provides a faster route to becoming a Chartered Accountant while building valuable practical experience and increasing responsibility along the way.

Individuals suited to this pathway will be identified during our Assessment Centre process. If this route is recommended for you, we'll explain what it involves, answer any questions you may have, and ensure you have the information needed to make an informed decision about your qualification journey.

Your development

We'll provide full support for your professional qualification and help you develop the skills and behaviours needed to succeed as an accountant.

You’ll be supported every step of the way through:

• A buddy before you start to help you settle in
• A line manager and student counsellor to support your professional qualification and career goals
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities beyond qualifications, helping you progress into manager roles and beyond

Starting your career straight from college or sixth form can feel daunting, but you’ll never be on your own. From day one, you’ll be supported by a strong network of colleagues, from fellow trainees to managers and partners. You’ll join alongside other trainees, allowing you to learn, develop and grow together.

We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and able to thrive. Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion helps ensure every colleague feels respected, valued and empowered to bring their whole self to work.

What we’re looking for

No previous accountancy experience is required. We’re looking for individuals with potential, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. We’re particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate strong communication and teamwork skills, a positive attitude, and a willingness to take initiative.

You’ll be expected to demonstrate the following:

• Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained from three A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies and EPQ)
• GCSE Maths and English grade 4 or above
• Willingness to travel to client sites and other offices as required

Salary

The salary for this role is between £21,250 and £24,800 per annum. As your experience, responsibilities and qualifications develop, there will be opportunities for salary progression throughout your career with the firm.

In addition to a competitive salary, we’ll fully fund your professional qualifications and provide study support throughout your training. You’ll also have opportunities to accrue Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) and paid overtime, recognising the additional commitment in busy times and supporting a healthy work‑life balance.

Recruitment Process

Our selection process includes the following stages:

• Online application
• Online assessments including video interview
• In‑person Assessment Centre

Assessment Centres

Our assessment centres will be held at the PKF Francis Clark Torquay office on Tuesday 24 November. As our head office, Torquay provides a great opportunity to experience our culture and meet colleagues from across the firm.

We appreciate that some candidates may be travelling from other locations and are pleased to reimburse travel expenses of up to £50 for attending the assessment centre. To process your claim, please keep and submit receipts for your travel arrangements.

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 wide range of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you.

Established in 1919, we’ve grown to nearly 1,000 people across offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. Our size means we can offer ambitious work with exciting clients and a friendly, supportive culture.

We want you to belong, be yourself and do your best work as part of a forward‑thinking team, with a flexible approach to hybrid working and a strong focus on wellbeing, learning and development.

For the past four years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces, rising to 6th out of 100 large organisations.

We’re a top 10 Best Workplace for Women, as well as being ranked for Wellbeing, Development, and Consulting and Professional Services. These rankings are compiled by Great Place to Work, based on confidential, independent feedback from our people. In addition, we’re one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

Being a Certified B Corp means we’re held to high standards for environmental and social performance. We’re independently assessed to ensure we support our people, act responsibly and make long‑term decisions that balance people and planet.

We’re proudly independent, while collaborating internationally through the PKF Global family of firms. Together we’re the 13th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK, with connections to like‑minded advisers in 150 countries.

Your core benefits

Financial wellbeing

• Group personal pension to help you build your future savings through employer and employee contributions
• Group life assurance providing cover up to four times your basic annual salary
• Group income protection available after six months’ service
• Health cash plan giving money back on everyday health costs, with free cover for up to four dependent children (up to age 24 in full‑time education) and the option to add a partner or spouse

Mental wellbeing

• Counselling and emotional support for you and your immediate family
• Virtual GP and second opinion services for you and your immediate family
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders for confidential, peer to peer support

Physical wellbeing

• Discounted membership at gyms, pools and studios across the UK
• Digital health and wellbeing tools available through the employee health cash plan

Additional benefits

• One paid volunteering day each year to support local organisations
• Family friendly benefits, including enhanced pay, family leave coaching sessions and a parent network
• Gifts to mark key career and family milestones
• Expert led webinars on mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Francis Clark Charitable Foundation, offering support for current and former employees experiencing financial hardship

Additional information

Closing date: Monday, 26 October 2026

Start date: Monday, 4 January 2027

INDEC