Graduate Trainee Accountant - Exeter (starting April & September 2026)

ACCA Careers; Exeter; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Exeter is looking for ambitious and curious candidates to join their ACA Level 7 Apprenticeship program. The role emphasizes hands-on experience, mentoring, and professional qualification funding, within an inclusive culture that values diversity. Ideal candidates are problem solvers with strong people skills. Apply now for April or September 2026 intake to kick-start your career.

Benefits

25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Additional day off for birthday

Confidential Employee Assistance Programme

Full funding for professional qualifications

Exclusive employee perks and discounts

Competitive pension scheme

Qualifications

• Strong communication skills to have open and honest conversations.
• Ability to balance competing demands and stay committed.
• Open mind for continuous learning from studies and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Solve real client problems from day one.
• Work with clients and provide support through the ACA qualification.
• Embrace a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and innovation.

Skills

Curiosity and problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Strong people skills

Organizational skills

Hunger to succeed

Job description

Ready to kick-start your career and make an impact from day one?

At Old Mill you’ll combine real client work, expert mentoring, and a fully‑funded professional qualification, all within a supportive and inclusive culture where you can truly be yourself.

Why join us?

• Hands‑on from the start: You won’t be making coffee or filing paperwork; you’ll be solving real problems and working with clients straight away.
• Professional qualification: We’ll support you through the ACA (Level 7 Apprenticeship), giving you the technical expertise, skills, and behaviours to become a qualified accountant.
• Career you can shape: With on‑the‑job learning and mentoring from experts, you’ll be empowered to carve out a career path that excites you.
• Inclusive culture: We welcome applications from all backgrounds. You don’t need to have studied accountancy. If you’re curious, motivated, and keen to learn, we’ll teach you the rest.

About Old Mill

With 350+ professionals across the South West, Old Mill combines the close‑knit culture of a local firm with the opportunities of a much larger organisation.

• Our values: We all aim to be open‑minded, passionate, and lovely to work with.
• Our culture: We embrace diversity of thought, encourage fresh ideas, and create an environment where everyone can thrive.
• Our difference: You’re not just a job title or a number; you’re our future.

Here you’ll find a culture that values collaboration, curiosity, and innovation. We'll give you all the tools, support, and freedom to grow into your future role. We believe that respect, trust, and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. We create a positive work environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and be part of something meaningful. We take pride in fostering an inclusive space that values professional growth, flexible working, and individual wellbeing.

Requirements

• Curiosity and problem‑solving skills – always asking questions and looking for better ways of doing things.
• Attention to detail, business awareness, and a can‑do attitude.
• The ability to balance competing demands, organise your workload, and stay committed when challenges arise.
• Strong people skills – accountancy is a people‑focused profession, so you’ll be comfortable having open, honest conversations with clients and colleagues.
• A hunger to succeed, and an open mind to continuous learning from both your studies and those around you.

Benefits

• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
• An additional day off for your birthday.
• Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 confidential support for mental, physical, and financial wellbeing).
• Full funding for your professional qualifications and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Access to exclusive employee perks and discounts.
• Competitive pension scheme to plan for your future.

Start dates

We’re recruiting now for April 2026 and September 2026 intakes – let us know your preference when applying. We'll be running assessment centres in the new year.

Ready to apply?

If you’re ambitious, curious, and ready to shape your own future, we’d love to hear from you. We’re strong advocates of AI. Our teams use it every day to work smarter and free up time for more meaningful client conversations. But when it comes to your application, we’d really prefer you keep it human. This isn't a spelling or grammar test – we want to get to know the real you – the person behind the CV. Graduate recruitment is as much about who you are as what you know, and we want to see your personality, ideas, and motivation shine through. AI has its place, but in this part of the recruitment process, it’s you we’re most interested in.

If you require any additional support with your application, please get in touch with [e-mail].