AAT Accountancy Trainee - School & College Leaver - August 2026

PKF FRANCIS CLARK; Serrington; Hybrid; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm of independent chartered accountants in the UK is seeking a Trainee Accountant. You'll work towards an AAT qualification while gaining hands-on experience in various accounting teams. The firm pays for all your training and supports your career development. This role offers not just professional growth, but also a multitude of benefits, such as a pension plan and a health cash plan, creating a rewarding workplace culture focused on wellbeing and development.

Benefits

Ongoing learning and development opportunities

Pension

Health cash plan

Virtual GP access

Gifts for career and family milestones

Volunteering day per year

Qualifications

• Minimum of 112 UCAS points from three A Levels or equivalent, excluding general studies and EPQ.
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above.

Responsibilities

• Join one of our specialist teams in Business Advisory, General Practice, or Agriculture & Landed Estates.
• Prepare accounts and support clients with day-to-day queries.
• Attend external industry events to develop strong relationships.

Skills

Taking initiative and achieving goals

Communicating effectively

Building strong relationships

Working with numbers

Analytical and methodical

Education

112 UCAS points from three A Levels or equivalent

GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above

Job description

Overview

Join us as a trainee accountant and work towards your AAT qualification. You'll earn while you learn, gaining hands‑on experience alongside your studies. We pay for all your training and qualifications and support you every step of the way. We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work for the third year running.

Company Culture

Established in 1919, we are the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, with a team of nearly 1,000 people based across Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. We work hard to ensure you can belong, be yourself and be brilliant as part of a forward‑thinking team. Our flexible hybrid working approach and focus on wellbeing, learning and development have been recognised nationally. In 2025 we climbed to 20 out of 100 large organisations on the Great Place to Work list and were ranked in the UK's top 10 Best Workplaces for Women, Wellbeing, Development and Consulting and Professional Services. We are a member of the PKF Global family, the 12th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK, offering international collaboration and learning opportunities.

Team Structure and Responsibilities

You will have the opportunity to join one of our specialist teams:

• Business Advisory – working with a fantastic range of clients, from sole traders and family‑owned businesses to partnerships and private individuals.
• General Practice – build a solid foundation in accounting and business support, gaining hands‑on experience across a broad range of services. You will prepare accounts, support clients with day‑to‑day queries and work alongside specialists in tax, audit and financial planning.
• Agriculture & Landed Estates – work with historic country estates, a wide range of farming businesses and a constantly evolving sector. You will develop practical accounting skills and support clients in understanding rural business operations.

Alongside day‑to‑day work, you will also have the opportunity to attend external industry events, helping you develop strong relationships across the rural community. Please indicate on your application form if you have a particular preference for either of the above departments.

Training and Qualification

As an AAT trainee, you will need to do regular independent study and revision for your professional exams. It typically takes around three years to complete an AAT qualification. The programme offers structured development, early responsibility and long‑term progression.

Core Competencies

• Taking initiative and achieving goals
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Building strong relationships and working collaboratively
• Working with numbers and solving problems
• Being analytical and methodical in your approach

Entry Requirements

• Minimum of 112 UCAS points from three A Levels or equivalent, excluding general studies and EPQ
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above

Benefits

• A buddy before you start, to help you settle in
• A line manager and student counsellor to help you stay on track with your professional qualification and career goals
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities beyond qualifications, helping you progress into manager roles and beyond
• Pension
• Group life assurance – up to four times your core salary
• Group income protection
• Health cash plan to help cover everyday healthcare costs
• Option to buy 5 extra days holiday
• Counselling and support for you and your immediate family
• Virtual GP for you and your immediate familyCycle to work
• Medicash Extras providing 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