AAT Accountancy Apprentice - Professional Practices - August 2027

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded professional development

TOIL & paid overtime

Hybrid working

Wellbeing & development programs

Job summary

PKF Francis Clark in Exeter is recruiting an Apprentice Accountant. You’ll train toward an AAT qualification while gaining hands‑on experience with diverse clients, including law firms, and you'll be paid while you learn.

The firm funds training from day one, supports development, and provides clear career progression in a friendly, inclusive environment with strong work-life balance and hybrid working options.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Develop your technical, commercial and interpersonal skills through structured training and hands-on experience
• Assist with year-end accounts, management accounts, financial analysis, forecasts and projections
• Gain experience in company and business taxation, VAT and company secretarial matters
• Build a broad understanding of accounting, tax, audit and business advisory services
• Be part of a supportive team with a strong reputation in the legal and professional services sector

Skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Teamwork

Communication

Initiative

Numerical ability

Resilience

Education

UCAS points 112

GCSE Maths and English 4+

Job description

In a nutshell

Join us as an Apprentice 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 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

As a Trainee Accountant within our Professional Practices team, you'll work with law firms and other professional businesses, helping them understand their finances, plan for the future and make informed commercial decisions. From the start, you'll work on real client projects, building practical experience while developing your technical and professional skills.

You'll gain broad exposure across accounting, tax (partnership, company and personal), audit (including statutory and client money audits), and financial analysis, forecasts and projections. This variety will give you a strong foundation in accountancy and help you understand how businesses operate and grow.

Our team has extensive expertise in the legal sector and a strong national reputation for the work we do. We work with law firms across the UK, providing detailed financial analysis, benchmarking and strategic advice to help them improve performance, plan for the future and achieve their goals.

You will:

• Develop your technical, commercial and interpersonal skills through structured training and hands‑on experience
• Assist with the preparation of year‑end accounts, management accounts, financial analysis, forecasts and projections
• Gain experience in company and business taxation, VAT and company secretarial matters
• Build a broad understanding of accounting, tax, audit and business advisory services
• Be part of a supportive team with a strong reputation in the legal and professional services sector

As you progress, you'll take on increasing responsibility and play an important role in helping clients make informed business decisions. Many of our trainee's progress into senior client‑facing roles, and some go on to become Managers, Directors and Partners within the firm, building long and successful careers with us.

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 their 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 is designed to give you the opportunity to showcase your potential and demonstrate the skills that are important for success in this role, including communication, teamwork, problem‑solving, critical thinking and attention to detail.

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 Wednesday 9 December. 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, 16 August 2027

INDEC