Accounting & Outsourcing Rotational Programme - School Leaver Apprentice - Manchester - 1 Sept 2026

Mazars; Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global professional services firm in Stockport is seeking an Associate Client Advisor Apprentice. In this role, you will deliver high-quality financial compliance and advisory services while gaining exposure to accounting disciplines. Strong academic performance is valued, and the position offers a hybrid working model. You will receive mentorship and support to pursue a fully-funded ACA qualification.

Benefits

Fully funded professional qualification (ACA)

Coaching and mentorship

Blended training approach

Qualifications

• Strong academic performance is important.
• Ability to think critically and share knowledge.
• Commitment to self-development and learning.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing monthly and quarterly management accounts.
• Perform day-to-day accounting duties like processing invoices.
• Support the preparation and submission of VAT returns.

Skills

Curiosity

Problem-solving

Time management

Communication

Education

A-level, BTEC or equivalent qualifications

Job description

Forvis Mazars : who are we?

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the UK and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future. You'll join a collaborative and inclusive team where you're supported to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and contribute from day one. You'll work with a diverse client base, develop meaningful connections, and gain experience that extends beyond your local team. Together, we grow, belong and impact.

Accounting & Outsourcing at Forvis Mazars

Our AOS Rotational Programme offers early careers apprentices the opportunity to gain hands‑on experience across a range of accounting and outsourcing services. You'll rotate through specialist teams, working with clients from sectors including financial services, healthcare, large international groups, and privately owned businesses. You'll be part of a strong team operating across five UK offices, with access to a wider network of over 300 professionals in our Accounting and Outsourcing service line. This programme is designed to build your technical expertise, client relationship skills, and understanding of global finance operations.

As an apprentice, you'll rotate through departments listed below, spending a minimum of 12 months in each department across the 4‑year programme. This rotation gives you broad exposure to different areas of the AOS service line. Once you complete your apprenticeship, you'll have the opportunity to specialise in a department based on your preference and business need at the time. Please note that not all departments are based in every office. You'll receive more information about office‑specific options if you progress to the later stages of the selection process.

Departments may include:

• Accounting, Outsourcing & Advisory:
  Working on outsourced finance function delivery, you will gain experience of day‑to‑day accounting, the production of management information, calculation of VAT returns, and advisory support including forecasting and finance function reviews. In addition, supporting with accounting compliance activities you will learn how to prepare statutory financial statements. You'll be a key contact for your client portfolio, and will work across large mid‑market clients including our specialist financial services sector team.
• SME Accounting & Outsourcing:
  Our SME team works very differently, meeting the needs of our smaller clients who often value the wide range of Forvis Mazars services being provided through a single contact point. Work here includes finance function outsourcing and accounting compliance, but you will also gain experience of personal and corporate tax. This team works closely to provide a solution for the client and the owner as one, and so collaborates closely with our financial planning team. Our target SME clients are fast growth, entrepreneurial businesses and we also have a dedicated team specialising in the Healthcare sector.
• International Accounting Services:
  Work with global clients to deliver day‑to‑day and year‑end accounting solutions. You'll help coordinate multi‑country engagements and may provide interim support where clients face internal skill shortages. While the services here are similar to those in other parts of AOS, the ability to think globally and to support our clients with multi‑country assignments is our real specialist skill.

Hear from a current trainee in AOS:

“The training and support at Forvis Mazars really enabled me to excel in my exams. From great study leave to useful peer groups, you really are set up for success.”

Every story is different at Forvis Mazars. Our people have amazing, personal experiences so the best way to learn about life here is to hear it first hand.

About the role

As an Associate Client Advisor Apprentice on our Accounts & Outsourcing Services Rotational Programme, you will play a key role in delivering high‑quality financial compliance and advisory services to a diverse portfolio of UK and international clients. You'll gain exposure to a wide range of accounting disciplines, including statutory accounts, management accounts, VAT, payroll, and personal tax, while developing your technical and professional skills. The role of a company secretary is to ensure accurate and timely statutory compliance and corporate governance for a range of UK and international clients. You will be the point of contact for a portfolio of clients, providing high quality advice and working with other teams to deliver an excellent client experience.

Role and Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing monthly and quarterly management accounts for a variety of clients.
• Perform day‑to‑day accounting duties, including processing invoices, reconciling bank statements, and maintaining ledgers.
• Support the preparation and submission of VAT returns and other tax‑related documentation.
• Contribute to client onboarding, including setting up financial systems and gathering initial documentation.
• Participate in financial analysis and reporting to help clients understand their business performance.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in line with internal and external compliance standards.
• Collaborate with different teams to identify and implement process improvements.
• Communicate professionally with clients, responding to queries and providing updates on work progress.
• Attend training sessions and complete coursework as part of your apprenticeship qualification.

We are now operating a hybrid working model, so as a trainee you will split your time between working from home, visiting the office, client sites when required or studying for your professional exams.

Who we're looking for

• On track or have obtained A‑level, BTEC or equivalent qualifications. Strong academic performance is important; however, we understand that things don't always go to plan. Our recruitment process looks at your whole self – academic achievements as well as other experiences in which you have grown and developed.
• Deep curiosity to learn new things and is naturally inquisitive.
• The ability to think critically, solve problems and share knowledge with others.
• A commitment to self‑development and learning.
• Strong sense of ownership of duties and high levels of responsibility to deliver on promises.
• Always looks to try their best in all they do and always looking for ways to improve.
• Enjoys meeting and engaging with new people with an underlying respect for individuals, diversity, and integrity.
• Works well under pressure and has a positive ‘can‑do’ attitude if faced with challenging situations.
• Excellent time management skills.
• A willingness to travel and adhere to our flexible working environment.

Strong academic performance is important, so we know that you're ready to take your professional exams. However, we understand things don't always go to plan – so if you don't meet our minimum requirements, please let us know if you have any exceptional achievements or extenuating circumstances which affected your results. We also consider your achievements in the context of your socio‑economic background, so encourage you to submit your contextual information.

Learning and development

Fully funded professional qualification for this role: ACA

Our supportive culture includes coaching, mentorship, and one‑on‑one guidance to help you grow, belong and make an impact. In addition to funding qualifications, we provide time off to study, and a blended training approach including in‑person and virtual learning. You will be allocated a buddy before joining who will support you to settle into the team and navigate your first year at Forvis Mazars.

You will also receive comprehensive quality training and development to excel in your professional career; this includes development in professional excellence, client excellence, digital excellence, and technical excellence. Our goal is to support you in reaching your full potential and becoming a standout talent.

Inclusion and diversity

Being inclusive is core to our culture at Forvis Mazars; we want to ensure everyone, whether in the recruitment process or beyond, is fully supported to be their unique self and provided with a level playing field.

Next steps

Roles will be closed as soon as we find the right people, so to avoid disappointment we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. If you are an international applicant and/or require a visa please view our FAQs before applying to be aware of deadlines and important information you need to know before applying.