Trainee Accounting Technician (AAT) – September 2026 intake

Westcotts Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers; Exeter; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accountancy practice in the United Kingdom is seeking a Trainee Accounting Technician to join their team on a permanent basis. The role offers practical training while pursuing an AAT qualification, comprehensive support, and a diverse range of accounting tasks. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, good knowledge of Excel, and strong communication abilities. This position provides opportunities for personal growth and progression within the company.

Benefits

Annual salary reviews

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible benefits including Private Medical Insurance

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and flexibly.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the accounting team and gain practical experience.
• Prepare financial information, reports, and tax computations.
• Assist with bookkeeping and VAT returns.

Skills

Analytical and methodical

Outgoing and socially confident

Positive attitude

Resilience and multi-tasking

Adaptable and conscientious

Professional team orientation

Good working knowledge of Word and Excel

Excellent communication skills

Ability to learn new IT skills quickly

Education

Strong GCSE results

A-levels or equivalent

Job description

Trainee Accounting Technician (AAT)

Axminster / Barnstaple / Bridgwater / Plymouth / Weston-super-Mare

Westcotts is an Accountancy Age 50+50 Practice and Sunday Times Top 100 apprenticeship employer with over 300 team members based across Devon and Somerset.

We are looking for Trainee Accounting Technicians to join us on a permanent basis in one of our Axminster, Barnstaple, Bridgwater, Plymouth or Weston-super-Mare offices starting in September 2026.

You will undertake both practical and theoretical training whilst studying for your AAT qualification under an apprenticeship agreement. The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) is a professional qualification which can help you to 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 not only offer you support and mentoring throughout your training, but we will also fund the training, and pay you your normal salary on the days you attend classes or time in the office to study. You will also receive regular pay reviews.

It is not just about studying though as 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 whilst also 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.

This job description summarises the main duties and responsibilities of the post, however the list is not exhaustive as the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties and projects of similar level and responsibility.

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.
• As the role requires the ability to study and pass formal exams, we would look for a strong track record in obtaining qualifications often indicated by strong results in GCSE’s, A-levels (or equivalent), however 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 years’ service.

Opportunities to later progress and gain further qualifications are available for the right candidates.

How To Apply

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

Apply Here