Programme, Financial Reporting

School Leaver Programme, Financial Reporting
- Birmingham (Sept 2026)

• Full-time
• Office
  
  Location:
  
  Birmingham (103 Colmore Row)

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

Introduction

As part of our Financial Reporting team, you will be working with clients and their finance teams helping them with their year-end accounts and accounting support. This means providing services, advice and solutions that really make a difference. You will also have exposure to working with partners gaining invaluable experience and building your confidence with senior members of staff.

The team you'll be joining provides wide-reaching Financial Reporting Services to a diverse client base. Ranging from small businesses and family enterprise start-ups to large Corporations, across a range of industries, both in the UK and internationally.

What will you be doing?

Progression within this team is fast, with responsibility from an early stage. By the second year, you will be taking on a more senior role and helping to supervise the new intake of trainees. As your experience grows, you may have opportunities to experience other ad hoc assignments.

As part of our Financial Reporting team you will be working directly with client finance teams at varying levels of seniority, from Accounts Assistants to Financial Directors.

Our work aligns to audit timelines and follows a cycle of Planning, Preparation and Completion, each phase can last anywhere between one week to several months, depending on the size and complexity of the client. You will quickly gain exposure to a variety of businesses, developing the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective and trusted business adviser.

Alongside your work, you'll receive first-class professional training as you study for the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification, which will enable you to gain a full understanding of the technical aspects of audit and accountancy and additional financial advisory services. You will also receive internal training from the professional services learning and development team.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working as part of a team to undertake a variety of accountancy tasks
• Developing an understanding of our clients and their businesses
• Keeping your manager fully informed of any issues and problems, ensuring the work is completed to a level agreed with the manager and recording clearly and concisely the work carried out
• Becoming familiar with our accounting software
• Resolving queries of an accountancy nature
• Prioritising tasks whilst monitoring time against budget

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be committed to working towards the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) level 7 professional qualification
• A Level: Predicted or obtained minimum 112 UCAS points in top three A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies
• GCSE:
  Minimum Grade 5 (or equivalent), in English Language and Maths respectively

Learning & Development

You’ll be supported in completing your qualification; gaining the finance knowledge, accountancy skills and real-world business experience to jumpstart your career in accountancy, tax and business advisory. And you won’t do it alone - you’ll be joining as part of a cohort with your own personal support network, including a buddy to offer first-hand experience. Your qualification training will be supported by a leading UK training provider, and you’ll be given the space and time to study whilst developing a variety of skills to become a well-rounded advisor.

You’ll receive guidance and support each step of the way by our dedicated Learning & Development team…