Trainee Accounting Technician (AAT) – September 2026 intake

Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers; Exeter; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accountancy firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Trainee Accounting Technician to start in September 2026. You will engage in practical and theoretical training for AAT qualification while gaining valuable work experience. The role includes preparing financial reports and providing support in accounting services. Applicants must have a strong academic background and skills in communication and analysis. Competitive salary and benefits are provided, including annual leave and flexible benefits.

Benefits

Annual salary review

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Access to health scheme

Pension plan

Flexible benefits including private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Able to multi-task and work independently/flexibly.
• Takes the initiative, ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Professional and team orientated in approach.

Responsibilities

• Prepare financial information, reports and returns for clients.
• Support the team with accounting and taxation services.
• Assist in information gathering to analyse income and expenditure.

Skills

Analytical

Methodical

Outgoing

Resilient

Strong academic history

Good working knowledge of Word and Excel

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Education

GCSEs and A-levels (or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

Trainee Accounting Technician (AAT) starting in September 2026 – Join Westcotts, an Accountancy Age 50+50 Practice and Sunday Times Top 100 apprenticeship employer with over 300 team members based across Devon and Somerset. We will place you in one of our offices in Axminster, Barnstaple, Bridgwater, Plymouth or Weston-super-Mare.

Training & Experience

You will undertake practical and theoretical training while studying for your AAT qualification under an apprenticeship agreement. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a professional qualification that can help you achieve a rewarding career in accountancy. Studying for Level 3 and Level 4 AAT apprenticeship qualifications includes learning the fundamentals of bookkeeping and accounting standards, as well as personal and business tax. We will offer you support and mentoring throughout your training, fund the training, and pay your normal salary on the days you attend classes or time in the office to study. You will also receive regular pay reviews.

80% of your time will be gaining valuable work experience supporting the rest of the team in providing a range of accounting and taxation services to our clients. You will prepare financial information, reports and returns for a wide range of clients, both businesses and individuals, while using computer software to record financial transactions. You will prepare and provide personal and company tax computations, regular VAT returns and bookkeeping services. You will also help in information gathering to analyse and report information about income and expenditure to support decision making, planning and control.

Attributes, Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Analytical, methodical, and numerical.
• Outgoing, socially confident, and emotionally controlled.
• A positive attitude, friendly, and personable.
• Resilient, able to multi-task, and work independently/flexibly.
• Adaptable, organised, and conscientious.
• Takes the initiative, ability to prioritise, and meet deadlines.
• Professional and team orientated in approach.
• Good working knowledge of Word and Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven accuracy, and an eye for detail.
• Ability to learn new IT skills quickly.
• Strong academic history – strong track record in obtaining qualifications indicated by good GCSEs and A-levels (or equivalent). Other academic history will also be considered.

Terms / Benefits

• 36.25 hours / 5 days per week.
• Annual salary review and regular salary reviews whilst training.
• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 25 days plus bank holidays after 3 years’ service.
• Opportunity to buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave.
• Death in service 3 x annual salary.
• Access to Westfield Rewards and Health scheme.
• 24‑hour external Employee Assistance Programme helpline.
• Flexible benefits including Buy and Sell holiday, Cycle to Work, Payroll Charity Giving, and Private Medical Insurance.
• Introducing clients and staff commission schemes.
• Pension 3% rising to 4% (but matched up to 6% after 4 years’ service).
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay after one year’s service.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please upload your CV along with a covering letter explaining why you feel you would be suitable for the role in particular, in regards to the desired attributes, skills, experience and qualifications.

Apply Here