Audit Trainee; ACA

Audit Trainee (ACA) - Bournemouth - September 2026

Are you looking to start your career in audit? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards the ACA qualification.

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

Our training contract takes 4 years to complete with full support and access to first-class tuition centres.

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

19 December 2025 – 11 January 2026

Please note that the next stage of our recruitment process (psychometric testing) will be paused from 19 December 2025 until 11 January 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted during this period, and candidates may then be invited to complete a psychometric test in mid-January 2026. We hope this pause provides you with time to enjoy the holiday season or prepare for upcoming exams.

Your growth doesn’t just come from exams, and it comes from valuable work experience and real‑world learning.

• You’ll be taken through the various stages of an audit from planning to completion.
• Work on audit and accounts preparation assignments for clients across diverse industries.
• Learn how to conduct client reviews, audit testing, and financial analysis.
• Visit client sites and build strong relationships to gain a deeper understanding of their business.
• Progressively take on more responsibility, enabling you to understand the full audit cycle.

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.

• A minimum of 120 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels.
• A minimum of 6 (or
  
  B) in GCSE Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. Please apply as usual and be sure to include your qualification details in the academic section.

If however, you have over 12 months relevant experience within a training contract at another firm, we recommend exploring part‑qualified opportunities on our Experienced Hire vacancy page.

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values – those who collaborative, enthusiastic
, and act with integrity while always striving for excellence
.

You’ll be approachable and committed, ready to take ownership and go the extra mile to deliver our signature service. You won’t hesitate to speak up when something could be better and you’ll help to make it happen. We value drive, focus, and a positive attitude.

Here, you’re never just a number. You’re valued for who you are. We want your personality and style to shine, because we believe in caring more and letting egos take a back seat. We work hard, we support each other, and we enjoy the journey together. You’ll thrive in a close-knit team that takes pride in delivering high quality work.

There’s real mutual respect here and a two‑way relationship where we bring out the best in each other.

We’ll help you get to know our clients, but it’s even better if you’re already curious about the broader economic landscape they operate in. Do your research. Ask questions. Be inquisitive.

We know the ACA exams are demanding, and we’ll be right there to support you every step of the way. Your commitment will play a big part in our continued success.

You’ll be surrounded by people who value you, your contributions, and your potential.

We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

We believe that supporting our people leads to success, so we provide both core and…