Trainee Accountant / Tax Adviser

Armstrong Watson LLP; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave and holidays

Fully funded qualifications

Paid study leave

Structured development programme

Mentor support

Employee benefits and recognitions

Job summary

Armstrong Watson LLP offers Start Ahead, a six-year Level 7 Chartered Pathway Programme starting September 2027. You will study and work with real clients while earning a salary, gaining funded professional qualifications, and progressing toward the Level 7 master’s degree equivalent.

The firm supports growth, mentoring, and a clear career path to Chartered status. Expect structured placements across Business Services, Audit & Assurance, and Tax, with potential experience in Corporate Finance

Qualifications

• Minimum UCAS points requirement as part of entry criteria.
• GCSE requirements include Maths and English at specified grades.
• Age and timing constraints to start in Sept 2027.

Responsibilities

• Undertake six-year structured development programme.
• Study professional qualifications (ACA/ATT/CTA depending on pathway).
• Gain client exposure and work across service lines while progressing to Level 7.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Professionalism

Ownership

Curiosity

Positive attitude

Respect

Education

96 UCAS points from A Levels/Scottish Highers

GCSEs 7 passes or 6 Nat 5s incl Maths & English

18+ by 31 August 2027

Job description

Start your professional career while others are still deciding theirs. Start Ahead is our Early Careers pathway for ambitious students who want to earn, learn and build a respected professional career from day one. We are now recruiting for our Level 7 Chartered Pathway Programme. We are seeking ambitious individuals to join our six-year programme, commencing in September 2027. It is a structured six-year programme, designed to give you real experience, fully funded globally recognised professional qualifications, a full salary and a clear route towards Level 7 professional qualification, which is master's degree equivalent. This isnt simply a job. It is a serious opportunity for people who want to build something meaningful with their career. Youll work with real clients. Youll learn how businesses operate. Youll develop technical knowledge, commercial understanding, communication skills and professional confidence. Youll be supported by experienced colleagues, mentors and training providers while progressing through a clear development pathway. Recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to work in 2025 and 2026 and The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers for five consecutive years, we are proud of our track record in developing trainees and supporting people at the start of their professional careers.

What youll gain Over the programme, youll:

• Earn a full salary while completing your studies and professional exams
• Gain fully funded globally recognised professional qualifications
• Progress to a Level 7 qualification, equivalent to a Master s degree
• Work towards Chartered Accountant or Chartered Tax Adviser status
• Avoid university debt
• Build real client experience from the start
• Gain exposure across different teams and service lines
• Develop the communication, teamwork, problem-solving and professional skills that build trusted advisers

Your pathway

Accountancy Pathway

Youll study AAT Levels 3 and 4, followed by ACA, leading to Chartered Accountant status. Youll gain experience across:

• Business Services
• Audit & Assurance
• Tailored placements across the firm

Taxation Pathway

Youll study AAT Level 3, followed by ATT and CTA, leading to Chartered Tax Adviser status. Youll gain experience across:

• Personal Tax
• Corporate Tax
• Tailored placements within other tax specialisms

With either pathway, as your skills grow, you may also gain experience across areas such as Corporate Finance and Financial Advisory, helping you understand the breadth of advice we provide to clients.

Visiting clients on location is a key part of the role. You dont need a driving licence when you start, but successful candidates should be willing to learn to drive within 3 months of joining the firm if they dont already hold a full UK driving licence, and after the first two years, youll be expected to have access to your own vehicle.

Weres looking for people who want more than the next step. People who care about standards, professionalism, learning, relationships and doing work they re proud to put their name to. What matters is that youre ambitious, motivated and ready to learn. You dont need previous accounting knowledge. You dont need advanced maths skills. This programme is designed to develop your technical knowledge from the ground up, while also helping you build the professional skills that matter in business: communication, teamwork, confidence, judgement and relationship-building. Weres looking for people who will:

Weres looking for people who will:

• Bring energy, enthusiasm and a genuine desire to learn and succeed
• Take pride in the quality of their work and always strive to do the right thing
• Build trust through their actions, reliability and professionalism
• Communicate confidently and develop strong relationships with colleagues and clients
• Show curiosity, take ownership and look for practical solutions to challenges
• Embrace opportunities to learn, grow and contribute to the success of the wider team
• Demonstrate a positive, can-do attitude and a willingness to go beyond whats expected
• Treat others with respect, kindness and professionalism, supporting those around them to succeed
• A minimum of 96 UCAS points obtained from A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications across a maximum of three subjects, or from Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers across a maximum of five subjects
• A minimum of 7 GCSEs or 6 National Fives at Grade 5 (C) or above (or equivalent), including Maths, English and at least one science
• To be at least 18 years of age by 31 August 2027

Over the next six years, youll gain professional qualifications, build meaningful experience and develop the skills that turn talented individuals into trusted advisers.

Armstrong Watson is on a journey to more than double our turnover by 2030, through disciplined organic growth, the attraction of outstanding talent and the selective acquisition of like-minded firms. But growth alone is not the goal. Reputation is. And reputation is earned, not inherited. Our intent is simple to say and hard to deliver: to become the most respected adviser to privately owned businesses in the North and the UK. The firm business owners talk about. The firm lawyers and bankers recommend without hesitation. To achieve that, we are building the best Accounting and Financial Advisory firm to deal with, not just in the North, but across the UK. Exceptional service, deep expertise, trusted relationships and absolute reliability define everything we do. These arent slogans. They re standards. At our core, we exist for one reason: to help our clients achieve prosperity, a secure future and peace of mind. Our strategy sets the direction. Our people, values-led culture and standards will deliver it.

In return for your commitment and contribution, well provide:

• A competitive salary with progressive increases
• Fully funded professional qualifications
• Paid study leave and training support
• A structured development programme, including technical and professional skills
• Support from experienced colleagues, mentors and training providers

Youll also benefit from:

• 21 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Health Shield Cash Plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Paid professional subscriptions
• Referral and reward schemes
• Regular social events and recognition initiatives, Find the best degree, higher, and advanced apprenticeships across the UK. Fast-track your career, earn a competitive wage, and gain debt-free qualifications.