Audit Industry Placement – Varied sectors

At Moore Kingston Smith, we believe in the potential of people to make a positive impact, fuelled by the power of genuine understanding.

As an accredited training firm, we’re committed to providing first-class professional development in a supportive and friendly environment. Designed for undergraduate students completing a placement year before graduation, this programme offers practical, hands-on experience and helps you develop essential professional and technical skills. Over the year, you’ll work alongside experienced teams on real client projects across diverse sectors, building a strong foundation for a future career in audit.

Our Advice, Audit & Accounts team is trained to have broad experience across a range of disciplines, from audit and accounts through to tax and other advisory services, so we can support our clients with cross-discipline solutions. These teams work with clients who vary in size, from sole traders to medium and large businesses, across a wide range of sectors including financial services, hospitality, real estate and technology.

From the outset, you will work with our clients, who choose us because we understand them so well. So, you will get to know their businesses, uncover the obstacles they face and become familiar with their sectors. The experience is varied. Some projects last a few days, others a few weeks. We encourage you to take responsibility early on, and you will get to grips with all aspects of the role and audit process.

Key Responsibilities

With support and training, key responsibilities will include:

• Develop a strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting standards, and auditing guidelines.

• Attend client offices and represent the firm professionally as part of the audit team.

• Assist in planning audits, including reviewing prior year information and preparing lead schedules.

• Perform audit testing on key financial areas such as income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.

• Check the accuracy of financial schedules and ensure figures agree with
  supporting records.

• Prepare financial statements in line with relevant standards and legal requirements.

• Draft corporation tax computations and support tax-related audit procedures.

• Liaise with clients to gather documentation, clarify queries, and support audit progress.

• Maintain accurate and well-organised working papers in line with
  internal procedures.

• Review and update client data in accounting and tax software systems.

• Identify and suggest improvements to client systems and internal processes.

• Support the preparation of audit close-out meeting materials and discussion points.

• Communicate effectively with internal teams, including technical and
  tax departments.

• Help manage client expectations and meet deadlines throughout the audit process.

Following your placement year, high-performing students may be considered for a graduate role, where you can pursue the ACA qualification through our three-year training contract. We offer clear progression routes for all trainees, with plenty of opportunities to shape your career at Moore Kingston Smith. Many of our partners began their journey as trainees here and, through hard work, commitment, and drive, have progressed into leadership roles.

Who are we looking for?

Our Audit Industry Placement Programme is open to current undergraduate students from any degree discipline who are completing a placement year and have one year of study remaining after the placement.

You will be provided with training and support throughout your placement with us, so you don’t need to have prior technical knowledge or experience, but we do look for:

• A clear motivation to pursue a career in audit, supported by an understanding of the role auditors play in supporting businesses.

• Enthusiasm for building strong relationships and collaborating with clients and colleagues, with close support from your manager.

• A proactive, results-driven attitude, ensuring excellent client service and a commitment to delivering high-quality work with integrity and professionalism.

• A dedication to ethical standards, ensuring your work aligns with professional guidelines and best practices.

• Strong commitment and reliability, enabling you to balance multiple responsibilities.

• A growth mindset and adaptable approach, with a willingness to continuously acquire new skills and knowledge, supported by your manager and dedicated early talent team.

• A commitment to understanding, built on respect, collaboration, and active listening.

In order to be eligible for the programme, you will also need:

• Have obtained at least 112 UCAS points from three A-Levels, or equivalent qualifications

• Be on track to achieve a 2:1 or above, from a degree in any discipline

• Be permitted to work in the UK, for at least 1-year from the start date of the programme.

Recruitment process

We recruit on a rolling basis, so would encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience to avoid missing out. The application process is made up of four stages:

1. application;

2. interactive assessment;

3. virtual interview with one of the People Team;

4. final interview in the office which you’re being considered for.

We are here to support you throughout the recruitment process and in the role. In confidence, we can discuss the individual support and adjustments you may need. A few examples of the support we can provide include but are not limited to: providing extra time in our interactive assessment or sharing interview questions ahead of time. If successful in securing a place on our training contract, we will organise a confidential call to discuss how we can work with you on the training contract to enable you to perform at your best.

To ensure a fair recruitment process, we provide guidance on using AI tools: Using AI in your job search – Moore Kingston Smith.

About Moore Kingston Smith

At Moore Kingston Smith, we believe in the potential of people to make a positive impact, fuelled by the power of genuine understanding.

Working with small, medium and large clients, we are a multi-disciplinary advisory, tax and audit firm with expertise across multiple sectors, uniquely positioned to help people realise their ambitions.

Our London and regional teams deliver quality results locally and nationally, and worldwide alongside the Moore Global network.

Through respect, collaboration and active listening, understanding is at the heart of everything we do with our clients, colleagues and communities. We value people and projects that promote positive change for the future.

Come and join us to make a difference.