Apprentice Accountant (School Leaver Opportunity)

This is a fantastic opportunity for a school leaver who is looking to start a long-term career in accountancy. You will be joining a small, vibrant and friendly office team, where teamwork, learning and support are at the heart of what we do. This role is ideal for someone who wants to learn from the ground up and is committed to becoming a fully qualified accountant over time.

Working alongside experienced accounting professionals, you will gain hands-on experience while studying towards professional qualifications. From start to finish, the training journey typically takes around five years, so we are looking for someone who is motivated, committed and excited to begin their career in accountancy.

Some elements of the training programme will be based in Birmingham, so applicants must be happy to travel as required.

Key Responsibilities

You will be trained to assist in the preparation of client financial information, including:

• Entering client information onto the in-house accounting system using both manual and computerised data

• Preparing working papers to support financial statements

• Preparing fixed asset registers

• Preparing summaries of debtors, creditors, pre-payments and accruals

• Preparing VAT reconciliations

• Posting accounts to the system

• Preparing bank reconciliations

• Posting financial information onto the in-house accounting software

• Preparing draft Personal Tax Returns

• Preparing draft Company Corporation Tax Returns

• Filing Self-Assessment tax returns, VAT returns and Company Annual Returns online

Full training and support will be provided in all areas.

What We Are Looking For

• A school leaver with a genuine desire to start a career in accountancy

• A strong willingness to learn and develop professionally over the long term

• Good numerical skills and attention to detail

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

• A positive attitude and the ability to work well as part of a small team

• A proactive and organised approach to work

• Basic IT skills, particularly Microsoft Excel and Word

• Good educational attainment: Grade 5 or above in English and Maths, and strong A-level results in related subjects (Business, Economics, Maths), with 120+ UCAS points

• Willingness to travel to Birmingham for training when required

Important Note for Applicants

This role is specifically designed for school leavers looking to begin their career through an apprenticeship route.

If you already hold a university degree or are a graduate, we kindly ask that you do not apply, as unfortunately we are unable to support graduates through an apprenticeship programme.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, pension and wellbeing benefits

• 28 days paid holiday (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing to:

  • 30 days after two years’ service

  • 33 days after four years’ service

• A structured apprenticeship and training programme, including full support for professional qualifications (AAT, ACCA, ACA)

• Dedicated support with enrolment, study plans and professional body memberships

• Paid time off for study and exams

• Supportive mentors and buddies within a close-knit team

• Exposure to a wide range of clients across different industries

• Excellent long-term career progression opportunities

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Reward Gateway with discounts on high street retailers

Apply now if you’re a school leaver ready to start your accountancy career in a supportive, team-focused environment.