Audit Trainee; ACA

School Leaver Audit Trainee (ACA) - London - September 2026/January 2027

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. Please apply to this vacancy if you are looking for an apprenticeship after school/college.

Who we welcome

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.

We have a few audit teams to consider:

• Corporate Group
• Private Client Group
• Film, TV and Video Games Group (Creative Sector)

Please review the following team information and be prepared to choose and talk about your preference at interview stage. We recommend you do thorough research into our client base and the associated industries to ensure you are choosing a team that will motivate you throughout your career with us. If you progress to final interview, you will interview with your chosen team.

Corporate Group

The Corporate Audit Group provides audit and accounting support, and wider advice, to a diverse range of clients across various sectors, including real estate, recruitment, retail and hospitality, and financial services. Our clients range from smaller, owner-managed businesses and entrepreneurial enterprises to medium and large international groups. We also work with a variety of charities and other not-for-profit organisations. As you progress through your training contract, you may have the opportunity to tailor your portfolio and specialise in a particular area of interest.

Private Client Group

Within the Private Client Group at Saffery, the Private Client Business team looks after businesses and their owners. Those businesses include companies starting out or engaged in investment or multi-generational trading activities, landed estates, natural capital, partnerships and standalone private companies. These entities might be owned or controlled by individuals, Trustees or form part of a wider group structure. Whilst dealing with the compliance for these entities (accounts, audits, routine tax affairs), the team also acts for the individuals behind the businesses to provide advice on capital tax, succession planning and business valuation, looking at the business and individuals as a whole.

In addition to supporting our clients, we assist those of the wider Private Client Group, working closely across the Group.

Film, TV and Video Games Group

Our clients include all of the major Hollywood studios, major streaming networks as well as many independent film and television production companies in the US and UK. We also work with many other entities ancillary to film and television production, such as film financiers, visual effects and post-production houses and other service providers. Finally, we work with a number of video games developers ranging from small independents to large multi-national studios.

About the programme

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

You will complete the full ACA qualification. Exemptions to the ACA will only apply if you’re AAT Level 4 qualified.

Key dates to apply:

2 February 2026 - 15 February 2026

We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment. Due to high volume, you may experience delays in the process but we will review all submissions fairly.

Start Date:

We have two intakes - early September 2026 and early January 2027.

Your role and development

Your growthdoesn't just come from exams,andit 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 onaudit 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,…