Graduate Accounts Trainee; ACA

Are you looking to start your career in Accounts, helping businesses understand their financial performance and make informed decisions? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACA qualification.

Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

When you work with Saffery, the well-respected accountancy firm where heritage meets ambition, you work with people who know your name. Who know you as a human being, not just a job title. Everyone belongs here. Always.

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from recent graduates or career changers. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience.

Our training contract takes three years to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres. You’ll follow a structured development programme combining professional study with on-the-job learning. As your knowledge and confidence develop, you’ll take on more complex work, contribute to projects and build your expertise as a trusted advisor.

If you’re AAT Level 4 qualified, you will be eligible for exemptions, otherwise we ask for all trainees to complete the full ACA syllabus. We believe that studying alongside a cohort gives you the best chance of exam success.

Monday 2 November 2026 - Sunday 22 November 2026

We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment, as roles may close early due to high demand.

Your growth doesn’t just come from exams. It comes from valuable work experience and real-world learning.

• Assist with preparing financial statements, management accounts and related analysis
• Work with client financial data using a range of accounting systems and tools
• Assist with resolving day-to-day accounting queries as you gain experience, building confidence over time
• Prepare accurate, high-quality work for review by senior team members

• Core accounting principles, financial reporting standards and regulatory requirements
• How businesses operate and how financial information supports decision-making
• How to interpret financial data and communicate insights
• The practical application of your professional qualification studies in real-world scenarios

We’ll support you every step of the way through mentorship, structured training, and our off‑site trainee programmes as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.

• 2:1 undergraduate degree (expected or obtained) in any discipline,
• A minimum of 120 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels or Highers (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels,
• A minimum of 6 (or
  
  B) in GCSE or National 5 Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. If you have completed AAT studies (up to Level
4) in place of A Levels or Highers, please detail this under the A Level, Scottish Highers (or equivalent) qualifications section on your application form.

If you have over 12 months relevant experience within a training contract at another firm, we recommend exploring part-qualified…