ACA accounting apprenticeship​s

With our ACA accounting apprenticeships you can become a brilliant Chartered Accountant (ACA).

ACA apprenticeships are open to graduates with any degree. You’ll earn while you learn, working whilst studying, and we’ll support you all the way.

Why do an ACA accounting apprenticeship with us?

• You’ll earn while you learn
• We fund your training and professional qualifications
• The work is really varied – no two days are the same
• You’ll feel supported by your team and by a community of fellow graduates
• We’re a large firm able to offer great career progression opportunities
• You can live and work in the stunning South West
• You’ll be guided by senior colleagues and supported by your own mentor
• Our ACA pass rates are well above the national average

ACA accounting apprenticeships are level 7 qualifications, equivalent to a Master’s degree.

You’ll be supported through your ACA apprenticeship to achieve the Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA) qualification.

The ACA apprenticeship is a three-year programme that includes 450 days’ technical work experience, 15 exams and an accredited STEPs course of structured interpersonal development. The awarding body is the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) ladders.

What do I need to apply to do an ACA accounting apprenticeship?

• A degree at 2:2 or above in any subject
• 112 or more UCAS points
• GCSE Maths and English at grade 4/grade C or above
• You’ll need to enjoy working with numbers, but we’ll teach you everything you need to know – for now we’re looking for aptitude and a willingness to learn!
• You’ll need great written and oral communication skills to build trusted relationships with clients
• A sense of fun and a desire to succeed

What will I be doing during my ACA apprenticeship?

As an ACA apprentice, it’s likely you’ll join us in one of our Audit teams, but some of our offices also have ACA trainees join in Business Advisory. We’re the largest independent chartered accountancy firm in the South West, so there are lots of opportunities to develop the career that’s right for you.

Where might an ACA accounting apprenticeship take me?

Achieving your professional accountancy qualifications is a huge career milestone. By the time you complete your ACA accounting apprenticeship, you’ll typically be managing a portfolio of clients, with ongoing support from the senior colleagues. You may also be managing a small team of trainees.

Accountants can work in practice in an accounting firm, or in industry for a business. Working in practice gives you the opportunity to work with various clients from a range of industries. You’ll likely try out different specialisms such as audit, digital, insolvency or tax. Working in industry usually means that you work for one business, likely as part of an in-house finance team.

Practice offers a structured career progression from trainee through to senior roles. This can look something like progressing from an ACA accountancy apprenticeship to become an accountant, then senior, assistant manager, manager, senior manager, director and ultimately a partner.

But we know everyone wants different things. We want you to be you and to be happy, so we have regular career conversations to understand where you want to go. And we’ve mapped out career pathways at the firm so that it’s clear how to progress here.