Accounts Trainee

Accounts Trainee

Basingstoke

Shaw Gibbs is a growing accountancy practice that provides expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals in Central and Southern England.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Using cloud‑based digital tools (Silverfin, Dext and Xero) to streamline data capture, automate processing and maintain real‑time financial records, ensuring accurate and timely reporting for Managers, Partners, and clients.
• Supporting the delivery of outsourced finance‑function services, working closely with clients to understand their operational processes and provide high‑quality financial insights that support decision‑making.
• Developing technical accounting knowledge through on‑the‑job training and formal qualifications, applying this to real‑world scenarios within digitally‑enabled workflows.
• Managing your own workload effectively, including organising your client portfolio (including liaison with client managers), staying on top of emails, and maintaining an accurate and up‑to‑date calendar to meet deadlines and support efficient service delivery.
• Producing simple, reconciled monthly management information — including profit and loss reports and balance sheets — using digital platforms to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Preparing basic tax computations and returns (e.g., corporation tax) within cloud‑based environments.
• Preparing monthly and quarterly VAT returns for a range of clients (sole traders, limited companies and partnerships), using digital data sources to ensure compliance and completeness.
• Creating and maintaining digital working papers (via Silverfin), including bank reconciliations, VAT reconciliations and other control account schedules.
• Assisting with the preparation and finalisation of statutory accounts under the supervision of your manager, using Xero data and digital review tools.

There are two routes to enter our training programme. You may apply after A‑Levels (A,B,B) or equivalent qualifications. Alternatively, we welcome applications from university students who have achieved or are predicted to achieve a 2:1 or above. We also look for the following:

• You must have GCSEs in Maths and English at grade 5 or above.
• Proven communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong IT skills, specifically Excel and able to pick up new IT packages very quickly.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• A positive, confident and proactive attitude.
• Enjoy working as part of a team and self‑motivated.
• Willingness to undertake and succeed in a range of professional studies.
• Relevant work experience and/or experience of working within a practice environment would be great but not essential.

• A comprehensive study package including full funding to pursue your AAT/ATT & ACA/CTA qualifications, study leave, and time off for exams.
• Hybrid working after successful completion of your probationary period (four days in the office and one day at home).
• Flexible working (flexing your hours around the core working hours of 10am to 4pm).
• Joining a fast‑growing company with exciting growth plans ahead.
• Exposure to a wide range of clients across many industries.
• Plenty of opportunity to increase your technical knowledge and skills.
• A varied role within a talented and experienced team.
• ERIC internal recognition awards – monthly recognition awards that celebrate those who champion the Shaw Gibbs values.
• Long service awards.
• Regular employee events including a company‑wide summer party.
• A competitive benefits package, including:
  • A 23‑day core holiday allowance plus other holiday‑related benefits, such as Holiday trading (the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday per year), flexible bank holidays (the ability to flex your bank holidays to a day that suits you best) and additional holiday with service.
  • A dedicated “Wellbeing Day” – an additional day off per year to focus on your wellbeing.
  • Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) which includes access to 24/7 online GP consultations, 2nd medical opinions and mental health first aiders present in every office.
  • Access to MYDUP - a wellbeing platform which offers confidential 1‑to‑1 sessions with therapists,…