Graduate Scheme – 2026

BHP, Chartered Accountants; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading firm of chartered accountants in Chesterfield is seeking graduates for its Graduate Scheme. This program offers extensive training and real client work responsibilities, combining professional qualifications with practical experience. Successful candidates will progress through structured training pathways to achieve globally respected qualifications while contributing to impactful assignments. The position includes a starting salary of £24,629 and numerous benefits such as funded training, healthcare, and flexible work arrangements.

Benefits

Fully funded training

22 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

Healthcare cash plan

Life cover 3 x salary

Employee assistance programme

Volunteering days each year

Qualifications

• Strong work ethic and proactive attitude required.
• Ability to take responsibility for one's own progress.
• Willingness to learn and grow within the role.

Responsibilities

• Participate in meaningful client work under the Graduate Scheme.
• Advance through structured training and hands-on experience.
• Take ownership of projects as responsibilities grow.

Skills

Drive

Determination

Enthusiasm for learning

Motivation

Personability

Education

Five GCSEs including English and Maths at grade C/4 or above

104 UCAS points from three A Levels at grade C or above

Honours degree with a minimum 2:2

Job description

The Opportunity

Join BHP’s Graduate Scheme and kick‑start your career with real responsibility, award‑winning support, and a clear path to success. After an immersive group induction with your fellow trainee group, you’ll quickly start to contribute to meaningful client work, not just shadowing. You’ll apply growing technical knowledge on real assignments, with support from your training manager, peer buddy, and our external training provider. Our clients span manufacturing, retail, tech, charities, healthcare and more, giving you breadth and early responsibility.

We recruit across multiple teams (vacancies vary by location and intake), including Audit, Corporate Tax, Personal Tax, Employment Tax, and VAT.

How Our Graduate Training Works

• Primary route (most roles): ACA (Level 7 apprenticeship). A structured three‑year programme combining on‑the‑job learning, study leave and formal tuition; you’ll progress through Certificate, Professional and Advanced levels, with ethics/scepticism embedded.
• Tax routes: Our Tax teams offer blended or alternative professional pathways (e.g. ATT/CTA or ACA/CTA).
• Financial Planning route: Five years due to CII Level 4 then Level 6 Advanced Diploma.
• See our Professional Training Opportunities guide for full details.

Your professional study is delivered as part of an apprenticeship, helping you develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to succeed. ACA qualifications carry Level 7 (Master’s) classification. As you progress through your training programme, your responsibility, job title and salary will grow too – recognising your hard work, technical development and contribution to our clients.

You’ll move from early‑stage trainee work into increasingly complex assignments, with opportunities to coach newer trainees and take on real ownership. Make no mistake, it’s a very challenging journey. Balancing professional exams with client work demands focus, organisation and resilience – but the reward is huge. You’ll finish the programme with a globally respected qualification, hands‑on experience, and the confidence to build a career that’s entirely your own.

The Benefits

• Starting salary £24,629
• Fully funded training – including tuition, support and exam fees.
• Dedicated time for study, plus structured ‘off‑the‑job’ learning.
• 22 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• Pension contributions of 5.3% when you contribute 3.2%
• Additional NI savings passed on to you when joining salary sacrifice pension
• Healthcare cash plan
• Life cover 3 x salary
• Employee assistance programme
• Regular wellbeing and social events
• One and a half paid volunteering days each year to support local causes

What We’re Looking For

Our minimum entry criteria is:

• Five GCSE’s including English and Maths at grade C/4 or above
• 104 UCAS points from three A Levels at grade C or above (or equivalent)
• An honours degree with a minimum 2:2 (obtained or on‑track to obtain)

Beyond meeting the minimum criteria, what we look for during the recruitment process is people who share our values and care about clients and colleagues. This isn’t a programme for the undecided – we’re seeking people who know they want to qualify as accountants, who bring drive, determination and a real enthusiasm for learning. You’ll thrive here if you’re motivated, personable and proactive, able to take responsibility for your progress and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences and will provide reasonable accommodations during the hiring process. If there’s anything you need support with, just let us know.

Application & selection process

Our recruitment process can vary depending on the role, location, department, how far we are through the recruitment process and number of applications received, but it will typically include several of the following stages:

• Online application – choose your preferred department, office and intake. As part of the application form, you’ll also need to provide details of your academic history and submit a CV, so make sure you have these to hand when applying.
• Online assessments – usually two short tests, designed to give us an insight into your strengths and potential.
• Intro call – an informal conversation with a member of our Talent team to learn more about you, answer your questions, and talk through the next steps.
• Interview – these are usually held in person in a BHP office.
• Assessment centre or practical exercise – for some roles, you may be invited to a group activity or case study to see how you approach real‑life scenarios.

We’ll keep you informed at every step and make sure you know exactly what to expect.

Why start your career at BHP?

We love what we do, we’re proud of who we are, and we have fun along the way. We don’t just crunch numbers – we build futures. We’re a firm of chartered accountants in Yorkshire & North Derbyshire, with 450+ people across five regional offices. We’re big enough for variety and complex work, yet agile enough to see you and support you as an individual from day one. Expect open‑door leadership, a collaborative, inclusive vibe, and a programme designed to help you thrive.

We’re a Great Place to Work‑Certified, award‑winning, and proud of a people‑first culture guided by our values: Fairness, Honesty, Caring, Progressive, Humility.

• Best Workplaces™ for Development
• Best Workplaces™ for Women
• Best Workplaces™ for Wellbeing
• Best Workplaces™ in Financial Services & Insurance
• Employer of the Year

We value inclusion, creating a workplace where everyone belongs and can perform at their best.

At BHP you’re in safe hands – We know exactly how to support our trainees. Over the years, we’ve trained hundreds of people through our early‑careers programmes, many of whom have gone on to become senior leaders and Partners.

Right to work

BHP isn’t currently a Home Office‑licensed sponsor, so you’ll need to be able to maintain the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme.

Interested? Apply below!

Send An Application