Graduate Accountant Audit Trainee – ACA – August 2027 (Exeter)

Gradsouthwest; Exeter; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully funded ACA qualification

Hybrid and flexible working

Pension and life assurance

Health cash plan

Income protection

Job summary

PKF Francis Clark is recruiting an ACA Trainee Accountant in Exeter for a full-time, permanent role with starting salary and ACA training fully funded. You’ll work in the Professional Practices team, gaining hands-on experience from day one while building the foundations for a Chartered Accountant career.

You’ll experience accounts prep, audits, tax and advisory work across diverse clients, and you’ll be supported to study and progress, with potential to advance into management as you grow.

Qualifications

• 2:2 degree or above in any subject
• 112 UCAS points from three A Levels or equivalent (excluding General Studies and EPQ)
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above
• Willingness to travel to client sites and other offices when required

Responsibilities

• Accounts preparation and financial reporting
• Audit, including statutory and client money audits
• Partnership, company and personal tax
• VAT and company secretarial work
• Management accounts
• Financial analysis, forecasts and projections
• Advising clients on their financial and commercial challenges

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Leadership

Education

2:2 degree or above in any subject

112 UCAS points

Job description

Launch your career as a Chartered Accountant

Start your career with PKF Francis Clark and gain a professional qualification, real responsibility and a clear path to progression.

Looking for more than just a graduate job? OurACA Trainee Accountant programme gives you the opportunity to build a rewarding career while gaining hands‑on experience from day one.

This is afull‑time, permanent role with a starting salary of£25,000, with your professional training and ACA qualification fully funded. You’ll learn from experienced colleagues, work with a diverse range of clients and develop the skills and confidence to progress your career.

What could your career look like?

As part of ourProfessional Practices team, you’ll work with law firms and other professional businesses, helping them understand and manage their finances.

You’ll gain experience across:

• Accounts preparation and financial reporting
• Audit, including statutory and client money audits
• Partnership, company and personal tax
• VAT and company secretarial work
• Management accounts
• Financial analysis, forecasts and projections
• Advising clients on their financial and commercial challenges

You won’t just be crunching numbers. You’ll build relationships with clients, understand how their businesses work and develop the commercial awareness needed to become a trusted adviser.

As your knowledge and confidence grow, so will your responsibilities, giving you the opportunity to take on more complex work and make a real impact.

Learn, qualify and progress

Studying for a professional qualification alongside a full‑time career is challenging — but you won’t be doing it alone.

We’ll fully fund yourACA qualification, provide dedicated study support and give you the time and guidance you need to succeed. You’ll also have:

• A buddy to help you settle in
• A dedicated line manager and student counsellor
• Ongoing training and development
• Support to develop your communication, teamwork and leadership skills
• Opportunities to progress into management and beyond

Typically, you’ll qualify as a Chartered Accountant in aroundthree years, giving you a highly respected professional qualification alongside valuable real‑world experience.

Is this you?

You don’t need to have studied accountancy or finance. We’re looking for graduates who are curious, motivated and keen to build a career.

You’ll enjoy this role if you:

• Like solving problems and working things out
• Are comfortable working with numbers and analysing information
• Communicate confidently and enjoy working with people
• Are organised and pay attention to detail
• Take pride in producing high‑quality work
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Have the ambition to learn, develop and take on responsibility
• Approach your work with integrity and honesty

What you'll need

• A2:2 degree or above in any subject
• Minimum112 UCAS pointsfrom three A Levels or equivalent (excluding General Studies and EPQ)
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above
• Willingness to travel to client sites and other offices when required

What you'll get

£25,000 starting salaryplus:

• Fully funded ACA qualification and study support
• Salary progression as your experience and qualifications develop
• Paid overtime and the opportunity to accrue TOIL
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Pension and life assurance
• Health cash plan
• Income protection
• Mental health and wellbeing support
• Virtual GP and second opinion services
• Gym, pool and studio discounts
• Paid volunteering day
• Family-friendly benefits
• Professional development opportunities

PKF Francis Clark is thelargest independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, with nearly 1,000 people across offices includingPlymouth, Exeter, Torquay, Bristol, Taunton and Truro.

We’re proud of our friendly and supportive culture. We want our people to belong, be themselves and do their best work, while building successful careers.

We’ve been recognised as aGreat Place to Workand as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces. We’re also aCertified B Corporation, reflecting our commitment to our people, our communities and the environment.

Your application journey

We want to give you the opportunity to show us what makes you different.

Our recruitment process includes:

• 1. Online application
• 2. Online assessments and video interview
• 3. In-person Assessment Centre

Our Assessment Centre will take place at ourTorquay office on Wednesday 9 December.

Travelling to us? We’ll reimburse reasonable travel expenses of up to£50for attending the Assessment Centre.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process accessible and inclusive. If you need any adjustments because of a disability, neurodiversity or any other requirement, just let us know.