Audit Trainee; ACA

Audit Trainee (ACA) – Bournemouth – September 2026

Saffery Bournemouth, England, United Kingdom – 3 days ago. Be among the first 25 applicants.

Your future starts here 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 are AAT Level 4 qualified, you will be eligible for exemptions; otherwise we ask 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.
During this period, the next stage of our recruitment process (psychometric testing) will be paused. Applications will continue to be accepted; candidates may be invited to complete a psychometric test in mid‑January 2026.

Your growth doesn’t just come from exams; 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.
• You’ll work on audit and accounts preparation assignments for clients across diverse industries.
• You’ll learn how to conduct client reviews, audit testing, and financial analysis.
• You’ll visit client sites and build strong relationships to gain a deeper understanding of their business.
• You’ll 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 applicants who are AAT qualified. Please include your qualification details in the academic section. If you have over 12 months of 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 are collaborative, enthusiastic, and act with integrity while always striving for excellence. You’ll be approachable, committed, and ready to take ownership, go the extra mile, and deliver our signature service. We value drive, focus, and a positive attitude. Here, you’re never just a number – you’re valued for who you are.

Financial support & flexibility

• Competitive salary & paid overtime or time off in lieu
• Profit‑sharing scheme (approx. £1,000 per year)
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements
• Contributory pension plan (5 % salary match)

Work‑life balance & wellbeing

• Buddy scheme and/or line‑manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home; in your first few months we encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues)
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources

Personal development and belonging

• Mentorship & career progression opportunities
• ED&I programme participation
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks (Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Women)

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…