Trainee Accountant

Ellis Atkins; Dorking; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 19,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life insurance

20 days holiday (rising to 25) + 8 BH

Parking / Town centre location

Regular social activities

Job summary

Ellis Atkins is seeking an enthusiastic individual to start a career in accounting through a Level 7 ACCA apprenticeship. The role involves accounts preparation and tax computations for a diverse client portfolio, with day release for ACCA study.

The position offers 37.5 hours per week, with day release to study, a starting salary of £17,000 per year, and strong support from a friendly team. It is based in the town centre with parking and a company pension.

Qualifications

• Completed A-levels or BTEC preferably in Maths and/or Business Studies A-C grades.
• GCSEs Maths & English 9-4 (A to C) Grade
• Looking to enrol or currently working towards ACCA
• An interest or have completed work experience in an accountancy practice
• Organised, proactive and enthusiastic

Responsibilities

• Assist accountants and tax specialists to provide bespoke tax advice for clients.
• Assist with accounts preparation and progressively increase complexity.
• Assist in the preparation and review of Personal Tax returns and Sole Trade accounts.
• Assist colleagues with audit review work and advisory tasks.
• Support with bookkeeping instruction and data checks.
• Handle routine client queries and routine administrative duties.

Skills

MS Office

Attention to detail

Communication

Team player

Proactive

Education

A-levels / BTEC (Maths or Business)

GCSE Maths & English (9–4)

ACCA enrolment

Tools

TaxCalc

Sage

QuickBooks

Xero

Job description

We will be recruiting again for this position for a September 2027 start date. We usually start the recruitment process in March/April each year so be poised with your CV if you are interested in applying.

This is an entry level role ideally suited for someone looking for their first job or a transition to work in Accountancy. We will sponsor a Level 7 Apprenticeship with ACCA with day release to study with BPP University - a blended learning provider with a day per week to attend study days and exams and complete online study at home.

Government funding is changing for Level 7 apprentices starting on or after 1 January 2026 so you must be:

Aged16 to 21, or

Under 25 and either acare leaveror have anEducation, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)at the start of their apprenticeship.

Government funding (unfortunately) will be removed for Level 7 apprentices aged 22 and older so we are unable to consider applications if you do not meet the above criteria.

Purpose of Role

We are looking to recruit someone interested in a starting a career as an Accountant, enrolling to study professional qualifications (ACCA) and wishing to develop their career in a well-established and forward-thinking accountancy firm.

This well located, successful and friendly firm is looking for an enthusiastic individual to take on a new job which includes accounts preparation and drafting business and personal tax computations for an interesting client portfolio.

You will be working as part of a very supportive and fun team and have the opportunity to develop your skills in the longer term.

Ideally you will already be proficient in the use of Microsoft programmes, such as Outlook, Word and Excel, whilst being confident in dealing with people on the phone and on a face-to-face basis. You will need to produce quality correspondence to our clients so will need to have good written English. Attention to detail and efficiency are key requirements with this role, particularly as you’ll be handling sensitive and time critical documents. You will learn new software such as TaxCalc, SAGE, Xero and Quickbooks.

Responsibilities

We manage a diverse portfolio of clients from small sole traders to large corporations and your role initially will be to assist our Accountants and Tax Specialists to provide bespoke tax advice to our private clients and business owners. Some of the areas the role gets involved with are:

Assisting colleagues to provide suitable tax planning solutions

Assisting with accounts preparation which will gradually increase in complexity with knowledge and experience

Assisting in the preparation and review of Personal Tax returns and Sole Trade accounts.

Assisting colleagues with audit review work

Assisting the Partner(s) with consulting and advisory work

Dealing with ad-hoc client queries

Bookkeeping – providing instruction to clients on the use of bookkeeping software and assisting with data checks.

Some administrative duties such as opening and distributing the post, filing and scanning, answering phones

Requirements

High degree of attention to detail

Extremely well organised and can work to strict timescales

Proficient in MS Office, particularly excel

Knowledge of or willingness to learn accountancy and bookkeeping packages: TaxCalc, Sage, Quickbooks and Xero

A client-oriented attitude

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Problem-solving aptitude

Ability to work well with a team

Qualifications

Completed A-levels or BTEC preferably in Maths and/or Business Studies A-C grades

GCSEs Maths & English 9-4 (A to C) Grade

Looking to enrol or currently working towards ACCA

An interest or have completed work experience in an accountancy practice

Organised, proactive and enthusiastic

£17,000 per year rising quickly with each exam pass and on the job performance

37.5 hours per week Monday to Friday with day release to study

Paid study leave and financial study support through the government apprenticeship scheme

Pension scheme and life insurance

20 days holiday in your first year rising to 25 days holiday in the second year plus 8 bank holidays

Town centre location, parking permit provided

Regular social activities and team building events