Graduate Accountant Trainee – Audit – January 2027

PKF Francis Clark; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group personal pension

Group life assurance

Group income protection

Health cash plan

Counselling and emotional support

Virtual GP and second opinions

Mental Health First Aiders

Gym discounts

Digital health tools

Volunteer day

Job summary

PKF Francis Clark is seeking an ACA trainee to start a three-year structured training journey towards Chartered Accountant status. The role is permanent and full-time with salary of £25,000 per annum, and the firm fully funds professional qualifications while supporting your ACA journey.

You'll gain hands-on audit exposure across varied clients, with structured development, a buddy system, and hybrid working options to balance study and work commitments.

Qualifications

• On track for, or have achieved, a 2.2 degree or above in any discipline
• Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained 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 as required

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with clients and gain insight into how organisations operate
• Work with a diverse range of clients across different sectors and industries
• Collaborate in small teams on audit assignments for medium-sized and large organisations
• Use data analytics and technology to identify risks, analyse information and draw conclusions
• Develop technical, commercial and interpersonal skills

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

2.2 degree or above

Job description

In a nutshell

Join our ACA trainee programme and launch your career as a Chartered Accountant.

This full-time, permanent role starts with three years of structured training and qualification support. You’ll gain hands‑on experience, receive a competitive salary and have a clear route to develop your career. We offer the security of a permanent role from day one, cover your training costs and support you throughout your ACA journey.

As a certified Great Place to Work, we’re proud of our friendly and supportive culture, where colleagues work collaboratively and with integrity and honesty. We also recognise the importance of maintaining a healthy work‑life balance while building a successful professional career, making this a strong place to start your journey in accountancy.

What you'll be doing

As an audit trainee, you'll work closely with a wide range of organisations, gaining first‑hand insight into the challenges and opportunities they face. From entrepreneurial businesses and listed companies to charities, educational establishments and professional firms, you'll build a broad understanding of different industries while developing your technical and commercial expertise. You'll analyse financial information, assess risks and help deliver trusted audit services that support confident decision‑making.

You will:

• Build relationships with clients and gain insight into how organisations operate
• Work with a diverse range of clients across different sectors and industries
• Collaborate in small teams on audit assignments for medium‑sized and large organisations
• Use data analytics and technology to identify risks, analyse information and draw conclusions
• Develop technical, commercial and interpersonal skills

As you progress, you’ll take on more responsibility and have opportunities to make a real impact.

About you

You’ll enjoy this job if you like….

• Using critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to overcome challenges
• Building strong relationships and working collaboratively
• Taking initiative and achieving goals
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Being analytical and methodical in your approach

Studying alongside working is demanding, but you’ll be supported as you balance your role with regular independent study and revision for your professional exams. It typically takes around three years to qualify as a chartered accountant. The following one to two years are important for consolidating your knowledge, leading more complex projects and preparing for career progression into manager roles and beyond

Your development

Alongside your ACA qualification, you’ll receive training to help you develop the skills, behaviours and confidence needed to become a successful accountant.

You'll be supported every step of the way:

• A buddy before you start, to help you settle in
• A line manager and student counsellor who will 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
• Opportunities to further develop your communication, critical‑thinking, teamwork and leadership skills throughout your career

What we're looking for

Bright, motivated graduates ready to build a meaningful career in accountancy. This programme offers structured development, early responsibility, and long‑term progression.

Entry requirements:

• On track for, or have achieved, a 2.2 degree or above in any discipline
• Minimum of 112 UCAS points (obtained 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 as required

Salary

The salary for this role is £25,000 per annum. As your experience, responsibilities and qualifications develop, there will be opportunities for salary progression throughout your career with the firm.

In addition to a competitive salary, we’ll fully fund your professional qualifications and provide study support throughout your training. You’ll also have opportunities to accrue Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) and paid overtime, recognising the additional commitment in busy times and supporting a healthy work‑life balance.

Recruitment Process

Our selection process is designed to give you the opportunity to showcase your potential and demonstrate the skills that are important for success in this role, including communication, teamwork, problem‑solving, critical thinking and attention to detail.

• Online application
• Online assessments including video interview
• In‑person Assessment Centre

Assessment Centres

Our assessment centres will be held at the PKF Francis Clark Torquay office on Tuesday 1 December. As our head office, Torquay provides a great opportunity to experience our culture and meet colleagues from across the firm.

We appreciate that some candidates may be travelling from other locations and are pleased to reimburse travel expenses of up to £50 for attending the assessment centre. To process your claim, please keep and submit receipts for your travel arrangements.

We're committed to creating an inclusive and positive experience for all candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, whether related to a disability, neurodiversity or any other need, please let us know and we'll do our best to support you.

Why work at PKF Francis Clark

As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you.

Established in 1919, we’ve grown to nearly 1,000 people across offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. Our size means we can offer ambitious work with exciting clients and a friendly, supportive culture.

We want you to belong, be yourself and do your best work as part of a forward‑thinking team, with a flexible approach to hybrid working and a strong focus on wellbeing, learning and development.

For the past four years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces, rising to 6th out of 100 large organisations.

We’re a top 10 Best Workplace for Women, as well as being ranked for Wellbeing, Development, and Consulting and Professional Services. These rankings are compiled by Great Place to Work, based on confidential, independent feedback from our people. In addition, we’re one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

Being a Certified B Corp means we’re held to high standards for environmental and social performance. We’re independently assessed to ensure we support our people, act responsibly and make long‑term decisions that balance people and planet.

We’re proudly independent, while collaborating internationally through the PKF Global family of firms. Together we’re the 13th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK, with connections to like‑minded advisers in 150 countries.

Your core benefits

Financial wellbeing

• Group personal pension to help you build your future savings through employer and employee contributions
• Group life assurance providing cover up to four times your basic annual salary
• Group income protection available after six months’ service
• Health cash plan giving money back on everyday health costs, with free cover for up to four dependent children (up to age 24 in full‑time education) and the option to add a partner or spouse

Mental wellbeing

• Counselling and emotional support for you and your immediate family
• Virtual GP and second opinion services for you and your immediate family
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders for confidential, peer to peer support

Physical wellbeing

• Discounted membership at gyms, pools and studios across the UK
• Digital health and wellbeing tools available through the employee health cash plan

Additional benefits

• One paid volunteering day each year to support local organisations
• Family friendly benefits, including enhanced pay, family leave coaching sessions and a parent network
• Gifts to mark key career and family milestones
• Expert led webinars on mental, physical and financial wellbeing
• Francis Clark Charitable Foundation, offering support for current and former employees experiencing financial hardship

Additional information

Closing date: Monday, 26 October 2026

Start date: Monday, 4 January 2027

INDEC