Tax Trainee; ACA​/CTA or ATT​/CTA

School Leaver Tax Trainee (ACA/CTA or ATT/CTA) - London - January 2027

Are you looking to start your career in tax, helping businesses or individuals manage their tax arrangements, comply with tax regulations and make informed financial decisions? We’re seeking ambitious individuals from all backgrounds to join our team as a trainee, studying towards theACA/CTA or ATT/CTAjoint qualifications.

Who we are

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.

Who we welcome

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 grow, you’ll take on more responsibility within audit engagements, contribute to more complex areas of work and build your confidence working directly with clients.

Our bespoke School Leaver Programme, developed with Kaplan, includes a six‑week business simulation designed to build key professional skills such as teamwork, decision‑making and leadership. Kaplan has successfully delivered this programme for several years and it has consistently received excellent feedback from participants.

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

Key dates to apply:

Monday 14 September 2026 to Sunday 4 October 2026

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

Due to the volume of applications, you may occasionally experience delays; however, we remain committed to reviewing all applications fairly. All applications are assessed by trained human reviewers, and automated tools are not used to make final decisions.

Your role and development

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

Within Tax, we have opportunities within two different teams:

Corporate Tax: You’ll help businesses navigate complex tax regulations and make informed financial decisions.

Employment Tax: You’ll help employers/businesses manage the tax side of paying people, from salaries and benefits to expenses and pensions.

Whilst there is significant overlap in the technical skills built across these areas of Tax, you’ll be aligned to one specific team, so please use the motivational questions within the application form to tell us which area you are most interested in and why! If you are open to both, we are happy to discuss this further with you.

What you’ll do

• Assist with tax returns, computations and other compliance filings for a range of clients.
• Work with financial and client data to support reporting, analysis and submissions.
• Use specialist software and systems to…