Trainee Adviser - Accounting + Advisory (ACA Apprenticeship)

PM+M Solutions; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An award-winning firm of Chartered Accountants in Blackburn is seeking motivated graduates for their ACA apprenticeship programme. This role involves preparing accounts and tax computations, using accountancy software like Xero and Sage. The firm offers full study support towards the ACA along with development opportunities, fostering a positive team environment. Join to accelerate your career in finance with comprehensive training and flexible working options.

Benefits

25 days’ holiday per annum + bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Hybrid working options

Full technical and soft skills training

Employer pension contribution of 8%

Qualifications

• You must have great communication skills to work within a team.
• Passion for providing great client service is essential.
• A positive attitude and the ability to work under pressure are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of accounts both in the firm’s offices and at client premises.
• Preparation of tax computations with provided assistance.
• Assisting with Accounts and Advisory team duties.

Skills

Great communication skills

Team player

Ability to work under pressure

Positive attitude

Motivated and well organized

Education

GCSE standard with Grade 5 or above in English and Maths

Relevant A-levels or BTEC

Degree with minimum grade classification of 2:1

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Who we are looking for:

Our ACA apprenticeship programme is a fantastic opportunity for Graduates, who are looking to propel their career straight onto the ACA and become a Chartered Accountant. If you do not meet the new criteria for the Level 7 funded apprenticeship programme, we will explore the commercial options for you to study. This will include full study support.

What the role involves:

• Preparation of accounts both in the firm’s offices and at client premises.
• Preparation of tax computations, where assistance will be given as necessary.
• Use a variety of accountancy software packages including Xero, QBO and Sage.
• Assisting with Accounts and Advisory team duties and providing ad hoc help to clients.
• You will be expected to have great communication skills to work within a team, keeping everyone up to date with the progress you are making.
• This role can be based in Blackburn.

Your development

PM+M believes that its most valuable resource is its team members. The continued success of the organisation depends upon having highly motivated people with proper skills in the right job at the right time. We recognise the need to offer all team members a clear path of progression within the business.

As part of this programme, we will provide an apprenticeship study package towards the ACA, which includes study leave, and we will mentor you through your qualification journey.

We also provide a complementary range of internal training opportunities to ensure that you maximise your potential in areas such as becoming a trusted adviser, how to network, presentation skills etc with opportunities for progression around the firm.

We have 6 monthly reflect and act conversations to ensure your development is on track, with optional monthly 1-2-1s. You will also have a buddy and opportunity for a mentor.

We also encourage you to get involved in wider firm initiatives and have your say on how we can progress on our journey towards being the best North West firm of finance professionals.

Your attributes:

Some of the key attributes we look for in our apprentices:

• Keen to play an active role in a dynamic team and willing to contribute to the success of the team and the firm as a whole.
• Passionate about providing great client service.
• Great at communicating with people at all levels – face to face and in writing.
• Positive attitude, and good at using your own initiative.
• Good at working under pressure.
• Motivated and well organised.
• Professional, mature and keen to learn and develop yourself.
• Be familiar with the use of recognised software applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Your Qualifications

• It is essential you are educated to GCSE standard, with a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths.
• You may also be educated or working towards relevant A-levels or BTEC. It would be beneficial if these were in subjects such as Accounting, Business Studies, Maths, Economics etc, however this is not essential.
• We are also open to applications from Graduates, of relevant and none-relevant degrees, predicted or achieved a minimum grade classification of 2:1.

Important Dates

Applications opened 21 October 2025.

Applications close 8 January 2026.

Assessment centres will be held on different dates during week commencing 16 February 2026.

The start date for this apprenticeship is Tuesday 1 September 2026.

How to apply

It is important your application is completed in full and accurately on the website and includes the following key information:

• Your GCSE Grades, predicted or achieved, including years awarded
• Your A-Level (or equivalent qualification i.e. BTEC, T-Level etc) Grades, predicted or achieved, including years awarded
• Your Degree details and classification, if applicable.
• Why you have applied for this apprenticeship at PM+M, and what interests you the most about it?
• Why do you feel you would be suitable for this role at PM+M over other applicants?

We recommend that your answers are in your own words and reflect your true and genuine opinions.

The process

All website applications will be reviewed carefully against the criteria discussed within this job specification, and each will be considered on their own merit.

Those successfully shortlisted from the written stage will then be asked to submit a video application after the application closing deadline. This will be emailed to you at the time, and comprise of preparing and answering a few short questions and sending back in to us for further shortlisting.

About PM+M

We are a vibrant, dynamic and award-winning firm of Chartered Accountants and business advisers, with offices in Blackburn and Bury and a hub in Burnley, covering East Lancashire, Greater Manchester and beyond. Our vision is to be the best North West firm of finance professionals and we want great people to join our team and help us do that.

We are proud of our inclusivity and diversity, encouraging people to be the best they can be and to be involved, no matter their level of experience or role.

We are a member of Praxity, the 7th largest global accountancy association and the largest association of independent firms. Being part of Praxity allows us to have strong international connections and a great source of secondment opportunities.

Joining the PM+M team will help take your career to the next level. You will be joining a values led organisation with a unique culture where you will be encouraged to take ownership of your own development and achieve your career goals.

We understand that we thrive when we help our clients succeed and that is our core purpose. We also understand that, to do that, our people need to succeed and be happy and fulfilled.

Everyone is different and has different hopes and dreams and different personal circumstances at different stages of their lives. Our task is to listen to you, understand what you want to achieve next and then work with you to help you get there. Our working practices are really flexible, based on high degrees of trust and empowerment and can flex to suit your circumstances and needs.

In addition to competitive salaries, here’s what our market leading benefits packages look like:

• 25 days’ holiday per annum + bank holidays
• office closedown over Winter Break
• flexible Easter Break, to account for other religious festivals
• on site free parking
• employer pension contribution of 8%
• death in service life cover of 4 x salary
• income protection scheme
• weekly flexi time
• agreed overtime
• family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
• flexible benefits (salary sacrifice) scheme including a range of benefits such as private medical insurance, extra holidays, electric car scheme etc
• hybrid working
• full technical and soft skills training and support
• recruitment incentive scheme
• cycle to work scheme
• employee well-being portal
• access to the WeCare app that offers health, well-being, financial and legal support
• dress for your day policy and dress down Fridays
• paid sick leave
• extensive learning & development opportunities and study support
• Firm wide success bonus based on the achievement of certain financial metric(s).
• Access to Dashlane password manager for you + 9 of your family and friends
• Fee-free service to whole of market mortgage and insurance advice
• Access to Able Futures support, a Mental Health Support Service