Audit Trainee (AAT and ACA) - High Wycombe - September 2026

Saffery Llp; England; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading audit firm is offering a 4.5-year training contract. As a trainee, you will engage in practical audit tasks, supported by structured training and mentorship. Ideal for ambitious individuals pursuing AAT and ACA qualifications. The role promises competitive salary, career progression, and a collaborative work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary & paid overtime

Generous annual leave

Contributory pension plan

Health assessments and GP access

Mentorship and career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Must be AAT Level 4 qualified or willing to complete AAT and ACA.
• Strong desire to learn and grow in audit.

Responsibilities

• Progress through audit stages from planning to completion.
• Conduct client reviews, audit testing, and financial analysis.
• Build relationships with clients to understand their business.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Education

A minimum of 120 UCAS points from top 3 A Levels

A minimum of 6 (or B) in GCSE Maths and English Language

Job description

Key Dates to Apply

Our training contract takes 4.5 years to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres. If you are AAT Level 4 qualified, you will be eligible for exemptions; otherwise, we ask all trainees to complete the full AAT and ACA. We believe that studying alongside a cohort gives you the best chance of exam success.

3 November 2025 – 21 November 2025. We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment. Due to high volume, you may experience delays in the process, but we will review all submissions fairly.

Responsibilities

• You will be taken through the various stages of an audit from planning to completion.
• You will work on audit and accounts preparation assignments for clients across diverse industries.
• You will learn how to conduct client reviews, audit testing, and financial analysis.
• You will visit client sites and build strong relationships to gain a deeper understanding of their business.
• You will progressively take on more responsibility, enabling you to understand the full audit cycle.

We will support you every step of the way through mentorship, structured training, and our off‑site trainee programmes as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.

Qualifications

Are you looking to start your career in audit? We are seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the AAT and ACA qualifications.

• A minimum of 120 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels.
• A minimum of 6 (or B) in GCSE Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. Please apply as usual and be sure to include your qualification details in the academic section. If however, you have over 12 months relevant experience within a training contract at another firm, we recommend exploring part‑qualified opportunities on our Experienced Hire vacancy page.

Cultural Values & Working Environment

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values – those who are collaborative, enthusiastic, and act with integrity while always striving for excellence. You will be approachable and committed, ready to take ownership and go the extra mile to deliver our signature service. You won’t hesitate to speak up when something could be better and you’ll help to make it happen. We value drive, focus, and a positive attitude.

Saffery is a partner‑led and people‑focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long‑term relationships with diverse, high‑profile clients across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we have access to local insight on a global scale. We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

Here, you’re never just a number. You’re valued for who you are. We want your personality and style to shine, because we believe in caring more and letting egos take a back seat. We work hard, we support each other, and we enjoy the journey together. You’ll thrive in a close‑knit team that takes pride in delivering high‑quality work.’s real mutual respect here and a two‑way relationship where we bring out the best in each other. We’ll help you get to know our clients, but it’s even better if you’re already curious about the broader economic landscape they operate in. Do your research. Ask questions. Be inquisitive. We know the AAT and ACA exams are demanding, and we’ll be right there to support you every step of the way. Your commitment will play a big part in our continued success. You’ll be surrounded by people who value you, your contributions, and your potential. We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

What We’ll Offer You

• Financial support & flexibility
• Competitive salary & paid overtime or time off in lieu
• Profit‑sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year)
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements
• Contributory pension plan (5% salary match)
• Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home; in your first few months we encourage up to four days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues)
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources
• Mentorship & career progression opportunities
• Participation in our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) programme
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks for example Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Women. We also recommend practising psychometric tests and learning more about how to approach a face‑to‑face, competency‑based interview. This will help you feel confident and prepared to show your best self.
• You can apply to just one of our programmes during each recruitment season. If your application isn’t successful this time, we’d love for you to try again when applications re‑open next September for the following year.
• If you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances (such as bereavement, mental health challenges, or any other unforeseen situation) that may have impacted your academic performance, please reach out to us before you submit an application – [e-mail].
• If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by including the details in the relevant section on the application form. We’re committed to assessing all applicants fairly and want to do everything we can to support your success throughout the process.
• If you are selected for an in‑person interview, we will provide reimbursement for your travel expenses. More information on what we cover will be shared at this stage of the process.
• If you’re offered a place at Saffery, we kindly recommend holding off on booking any annual leave around your expected start date. This helps ensure you don’t miss out on important training and onboarding sessions that will set you up for success.