Trainee Chartered Accountant
Plymouth Office
Westcotts is a Top 50+50 Accountancy Practice and Top 50 apprenticeship employer with over 290 team members based across Devon and Somerset.
We are now looking for a Trainee Chartered Accountant to join our team in our Plymouth office starting September 2025, though there is an opportunity for a candidate to join us at shorter notice if necessary.
Training to become a Chartered Accountant is both rewarding and challenging and can open up a whole host of opportunities for you. Many of our Directors and Partners started their career as a trainee with us and have stayed with us throughout their working life.
You will undertake both practical and theoretical training whilst studying for your ACA qualification under an apprenticeship agreement. We will fund your training and provide you with paid study leave to attend the courses so you will be earning while you are learning. Back in the office or hybrid working, you will get support from more experienced staff and Partners whilst assisting on client assignments. Some of the duties will include preparing financial statements for limited companies, partnerships and sole traders; auditing financial statements and tax compliance work to mention just a few. You will have the opportunity to visit clients’ premises to carry out your role and your work will be a mixture of teamwork and projects undertaken individually.
This job description summarises the main duties and responsibilities of the post, however the list is not exhaustive as the post-holder may be required to undertake other duties and projects of similar level and responsibility.
Attributes, Skills, Experience and Qualifications
Ideally the successful candidate will have the following attributes, skills, experience and qualifications.
- Analytical, methodical and numerical
- Outgoing, socially confident and emotionally controlled
- A positive attitude, friendly and personable
- Resilient, able to multi-task and work independently / flexibly
- Adaptable, organised and conscientious
- Takes the initiative, ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
- Professional and team orientated in approach
- Strong interest in audit
- Good working knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with proven accuracy and an eye for detail
- Ability to learn new IT skills quickly
- As the role requires the ability to study and pass formal exams, we would look for a strong track record in obtaining qualifications often indicated by strong results in GCSE’s, A-levels (or equivalent) and Degree Qualified however other academic history will also be considered.
Terms / Benefits
- 36.25 hours / 5 days per week with flexible and hybrid working available
- Annual salary review and regular salary reviews whilst training
- 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays increasing to 25 days plus bank holidays after 3 years’ service
- Opportunity to carry over 1 week’s holiday into the following holiday year.
- Death in service 3 x annual salary
- Access to Westfield Rewards and Health scheme
- 24-hour external Employee Assistance Programme helpline
- Flexible benefits including Buy and sell holiday, Cycle to Work, Payroll Charity Giving and Private Medical Insurance
- Introducing clients and staff commission schemes
- Pension 3% rising to 4% (but matched up to 6%) after 4 years’ service
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave after one years’ service
How to apply
For this position, successful candidates will be shortlisted to take one of two routes. You may be shortlisted to undertake two online tests to analyse your numerical and psychometric skills, to be proceeded to interview if necessary.
Alternatively, you may be invited to attend an Insights day in our Plymouth office, to progress to interview if necessary. If you are invited to this insights day, this will be held on the 4th December and will take approximately 3-4 hours, in which you will be able to learn more about a career in accountancy, you will meet the partners and our recruitment team, and be able to network with several of your peers looking to follow similar career paths.
Please do let us know your availability for the 4th December 2024 in your cover letter, and whether you would be able to attend a morning or an afternoon slot.
To apply for this position, please upload your CV along with a covering letter providing information on why you feel you would be suitable for the role in particular in regards to the desired attributes, skills, experience and qualifications. Please also state your current salary (if applicable), salary expectations and available start date.