Audit Associate – Graduate – January 2027 – CCM Chinese Speaker

PKF Littlejohn; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

PKF Littlejohn in London invites applications for a trainee role within Corporate and Capital Markets audit. You will assist in audits ranging from AIM-listed to owner-managed businesses, developing knowledge of accounting standards and systems testing while pursuing professional examinations.

The role emphasizes meeting deadlines, maintaining quality, and progressively taking on responsibility as you gain experience in double-entry bookkeeping and audit evidence collection.

Qualifications

• A 2.2 degree or expected 2.2 from a recognised UK university.
• UCAS points: minimum 112 points from three A Levels A*-C.
• GCSEs: at least 9-6/A*-B including Maths and English.
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written) is required.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the work allocated by the assignment leader.
• Keep the assignment leader informed about progress at daily meetings.
• Ensure attendance at briefing meetings and understand the audit plan.
• Complete the work within budget for each area.
• Adopt high professional standards with a business-like approach to work.
• Develop a comprehensive working knowledge of double entry bookkeeping.
• Complete sections in the audit file with sufficient and appropriate evidence, including fixed assets, bank, systems testing, and substantive testing on P&L.

Skills

Mandarin Chinese fluency

Commercial awareness

Computer literate

Team player

Good communication skills

Ability to prioritise workload

Work to deadlines

Education

2.2 degree

112 UCAS points (2017 tariff)

GCSEs including Maths and English (A*-C)

Job description

Overview Of Firm

PKF Littlejohn is one of the leading challenger firms in the UK with offices in London, Leeds and Manchester.

We are also an active member of PKF Global, an international network of legally independent accounting firms that gives us an on the ground presence in 150 countries around the world with access to more than 20,000 people across 440 offices globally.

We provide a full range of audit, accountancy, tax and advisory services, and are experts at simplifying complexity. We are particularly well-known for working with complex clients with challenging issues in fast-moving and highly technical areas, such as the insurance industry, the global capital markets and the not for profit sector. Our aim is to understand people, the organisations they run, and what matters to them, so we can simplify complexity and help them achieve their ambitions.

Introduction to the Division

Corporate and Capital Markets

We are the largest auditor of AIM listed companies and the 6th largest of all LSE companies with over 130 on either the Main Market or AIM. In the last 5 years we have grown significantly in the listed audit market by focussing on delivering consistent quality and making all our clients feel valued.

The team also work with a number of large, multinational private businesses across many sectors with varying regulatory and reporting requirements, and we have specialist knowledge of a range of industries – from natural resource companies, tech companies, professional practices and retailers.

You could be involved in the audit of any organisation from a listed company to working with owner-managed businesses. With every audit, you'll gain a deeper insight into each stage of the process, and a broader view of the businesses we work for. As your experience grows, so will your opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Undertake the work allocated by the assignment leader
• Keep the assignment leader informed about progress at daily meetings
• Ensure attendance at briefing meetings and understand the audit plan
• Complete the work within budget for each area
• Adopt high professional standards with a business-like approach to work
• Develop a comprehensive working knowledge of double entry bookkeeping
• Be able complete sections in the audit file by obtaining and documenting sufficient and appropriate audit evidence, to include the following sections:
  • Fixed assets section;
  • Bank section;
  • Document accounting systems and complete systems testing;
  • Substantive testing on the Profit and Loss analysis – including attention to tax requirements
• Develop a basic knowledge of current accounting standards
• Pass relevant professional examinations first time
• Be able to advise on basic accounting issues
• Be aware of Institute and internal ethical guidelines
• To accept responsibility for all work performed and to follow up to ensure completion
• Willing to accept feedback/development points and action it

Person Specification

• Minimum of a 2.2 degree, attained or expected
• Minimum of 112 UCAS points (2017 tariff), from three A Levels A*-C (excluding general studies), or equivalent
• Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 9 – 6 or A* - B (including Maths and English Language), or equivalent
• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese (spoken and written) required

Personal Attributes

• Be commercially aware
• Computer literate
• Team player
• Good communication skills
• Flexibility
• Strong organisational skills
• Systematic
• Enthusiastic
• Able to work on own initiative
• Good attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Work to deadlines
• Ability to spot new business
• Initiative
• Problem solver
• Persuasive