Trainee Accountant

BKL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accountancy firm in London is seeking an Advance Business Services/Assurance Trainee Accountant. This position offers full study support for ACA qualification and is perfect for graduates or school leavers eager to start their finance career. Ideal candidates should possess strong project management and organizational skills, as well as a proactive mindset to learn and grow within the team.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

Health Cash Plans

Pension scheme

Group Life Assurance

Cycle to Work Scheme

Enhanced Family Leave

Generous holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Must have good project management and organizational skills.
• Comfortable with a mixed study/work scheme.
• Ability to receive and act on feedback continuously.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside teams to deliver high-quality work.
• Receive full study support for ACA qualification.
• Interact with clients and work on real projects.

Skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Problem-solving abilities

Education

GCSE Grade 5 and above in English and Maths

120 UCAS points or more (for school leavers)

2:1 in any university degree

Job description

Job Title:

Advance Business Services/Assurance Trainee Accountant

Location:

London N3 / EC4M

Working Hours:

Monday to Friday, 35-hour week (Flexitime)

Reporting To:

ABS/Assurance manager

Salary Range:

£26,000 - £30,000

About BKL

BKL is a Top 40 accountancy and advisory business supporting a diverse client base, from entrepreneurs and high-net‑worth individuals to ambitious owner‑managed businesses and multinational groups. With a legacy spanning over 130 years, we’ve evolved into a modern, purpose‑driven business that balances profit with impact.

We are proud to be a certified B Corp, reflecting our commitment to sustainability, transparency, and responsible governance. As a member of DFK International, we support clients locally and internationally with cutting‑edge expertise and a personal touch.

We believe all clients deserve the same level of care, innovation, and excellence.

A Message from the Early Careers team

We’re really excited to welcome a new cohort into our team. You’ll find a group that’s ambitious but down‑to‑earth, where people care deeply about doing excellent work - and about each other.

We know that juggling work and study, especially around exam time, can be tough. That’s why we value resilience, curiosity, and a proactive mindset. If you’re someone who’s ready to grow, keen to learn, and not afraid of a challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

Your Opportunity

Are you a graduate or school leaver who is looking for their first step forward in their finance career? This may be your opportunity. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic, committed, with a keen sense of what really matters to businesses today and ready for the world of work.

How You’ll Make a Difference

You will be placed in either our Assurance, (otherwise known as Audit – this is the main assurance type work we do) or Accounts and Business Services team (ABS) – learn about the key differences here to understand which route is right for you!

You will join a team of professionals who will guide you and help you develop your skills and knowledge while working on real projects with a chance to interact with clients. These roles are ideal for people who like problem‑solving, understanding businesses, working on projects and identifying and analysing key trends.

Teamwork is key. At BKL, we appreciate and value individuals who can work autonomously to achieve their individual objectives but also keep a keen sense of collaboration with the wider teams and pods they work with.

You will have the opportunity to learn and grow, train and qualify as an accountant, whilst delivering high quality work as part of your team (or pod as we call them).

What you can expect:

• You will receive full study support towards gaining your ACA (Assurance) qualification as well as additional support from our Early Careers Managers.
• If you are a school leaver you will initially study towards your AAT qualification before getting started on your ACA studies.
• To be placed within one of our biggest teams being either Assurance or ABS.
• Assist the seniors within your team and learn from their experience. All being well, and with average qualifying times being 2.5 - 4 years you will soon be in their shoes.

You will be ideal for this role if you…

• Have GCSE Grade 5 and above in English and Maths.
• If applying as a school leaver have 120 UCAS points or more.
• Obtain a 2:1 in any university degree – not just maths, accounting, finance or business – our clients are varied, and we actively seek this in our trainees.
• Or have alternative qualifications equivalent to the above.
• Are comfortable with a scheme that mixes studying and working (whilst ensuring time can be dedicated appropriately to each).
• Have great project management, organisational and problem‑solving abilities and can point to examples of where you have demonstrated these skills.
• Are able to learn and receive continuous feedback on how to improve and grow in your accountancy journey.

We know you have a lot to offer, which is why we give you the freedom to thrive, no matter who you are or what your background is.

Inclusion, diversity, and talent development are a fundamental aspect of who we are, and we welcome applications from candidates who share and champion these values. You will play an integral part in helping to make BKL a great place to work with a sense of belonging for everyone.

Our Values

• Think Big – Be curious, brave, and open to new ideas.
• In It Together – Collaborate, care, and build an inclusive culture.
• Take Pride – Strive for excellence and believe in your impact.
• Do the Right Thing – Act with integrity, honesty and fairness.
• Enjoy It – Bring your whole self to work and have fun doing it.

High challenge, high support

If you enjoy problem‑solving and a fast‑changing environment, you will thrive in this role.

As in all BKL roles, you will be able to take a flexible approach: balancing independent work with teamwork, and remote working with time in the office with colleagues.

You can get an insight into life at BKL here.

We’re proud to be one of the few Certified B Corporations in the accountancy sector. In joining us, you’ll become part of a business that’s committed to balancing profit and purpose.

Working With Us: Your Benefits, Wellbeing & Development

At BKL, we’re committed to creating a people‑first workplace where everyone can thrive. We offer a carefully curated benefits package, wellbeing support, and meaningful development opportunities that empower you to grow your career.

Snapshot of our Benefits Package

• Private Medical Insurance (PMI) – including mental health cover, hospital treatment & 24/7 GP access
• Health Cash Plans – covering everyday costs like dental, optical & physiotherapy and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Pension scheme – helping you save for retirement in a tax‑efficient way
• Group Life Assurance – peace of mind with financial protection for your loved ones
• Cashback & savings portal – discounts across hundreds of high‑street and online retailers
• Cycle to Work Scheme – spread the cost of a new bike and accessories tax‑free
• Electric Vehicle Scheme – sustainable transportation options that include roadside support and servicing
• Free Mortgage Advice – expert guidance for your home‑buying journey
• Season Ticket Loan – support with travel expenses
• Enhanced Family Leave – generous leave policies for family‑related needs
• Holiday Entitlement – generous entitlement which increases with promotion

Development & Growth

• Clear development pathwaysand progression frameworks
• Professional qualifications support – including study time and funding
• Internal mentoring, coaching, and buddying schemes
• Leadership development programmes to help you grow with us
• Regular check‑ins and performance conversations – driven by your goals, not just metrics

Take Your Next Step

Ready to grow your career with a company that balances ambition with purpose? Apply today and discover how far you can go at BKL.

Part of how we’ll get to know you, and make sure we’d work well together, is aptitude and psychometric testing during our selection process.

A word on AI

We understand that AI tools can be helpful when crafting your CV – and we’re happy for you to use them to polish your presentation and structure. However, we’re looking for more than just technical skills. Accountants are not just Excel wizards; they’re trusted advisors who build relationships and communicate clearly with clients.

So, while AI can support your application, we want to see you in your CV – your personality, your interests, and your motivation. Please don’t use AI tools during the psychometric testing stage. These assessments are designed to help us understand how you think and work, and it’s important that they reflect your authentic self.

Timeline

Applications Close on 17th November

Telephone Screening w/c 17th November

ABS Assessment Centre 25th November

Assurance Assessment Centre 27th November

Offers w/c 1st December

Compliance & Equal Opportunities

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, you will be required to undertake GDPR training in order to fully understand the regulations and ensure all work is carried out in a compliant manner.

As part of any recruitment process, BKL collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants. BKL is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations.

BKL is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates eligible to work in the UK.