Graduates

At James Cowper Kreston great talent is at the heart of our business. That’s why we aim to recruit and retain the best and offer challenging and rewarding opportunities enabling everyone to maximise their career potential.

Our Graduate Training Programme offers a practical way to kick-start an exciting career in accountancy or tax. You’ll earn a competitive salary and be fully supported to achieve a professional qualification, whilst gaining valuable work experience and skills. This is a unique opportunity not only to develop your skills and confidence but to build a rewarding career.

What you'll do

Our three-year training programme consists of a Level 7 Apprenticeship that offers you the opportunity to achieve a professional qualification:

ACA (ICAEW)
ACCA
ATT/CTA Tax Pathway
ACA CTA Joint Programme (4-year programme)

This means you’ll combine on-the-job learning with structured, classroom-based training, not just for technical knowledge but also to develop personal, management and commercial skills that will help you succeed and maximise your career potential.

Currently, we have graduate opportunities in the following areas:

Accounts & Advisory (ACA/ACCA)

Audit & Assurance (ACA/ACCA)

Business Tax (ACA/CTA)

Private Client Services (ATT/CTA)

What we’re looking for

You do not need to have a degree in accounting and finance to join our graduate scheme. Whatever your degree you will have knowledge and skills that are transferable to a career in accountancy, and we welcome variety!

Whilst you do need to have some academic qualifications:

Minimum 2:2 in any undergraduate degree subject
At least 112 UCAS points (under the 2017 Tariff, excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking & Extended Project)
Minimum Grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English Language

Your application will not be based on academic qualifications alone and you will also need to show:

a genuine interest in accountancy and finance
an enthusiasm to learn
a strong work ethic
an enquiring mind
effective communication skills
full UK driving licence
the right to work in the UK for the full duration of your apprenticeship

What we offer

We will support you every step of the way with a comprehensive package that includes:

A competitive salary (£24,000)
A full study package (including the costs of all exam fees and paid time off for study)
23 days annual holiday, plus your birthday as an extra day off
Pension scheme
Flexible benefits scheme including cycle to work scheme, dental insurance, life assurance, free flu jabs.

Your wellbeing is our top priority, so you’ll also benefit from:

A buddy and a line manager to support you throughout your career
Agile working
Mental Health First Aiders in all offices
Social committee in each office
Pizza lunch on last working day of each month
We are Great Place To Work® certified

How to apply

The first step is to complete our quick and easy online application form, to give us some essential information, and upload your CV.

If you successfully make it through the initial screening process, you will be invited to one of our Assessment Days where you will undertake various activities both individually and in a group.

If you are successful at the Assessment Day, we will then invite you to join our new intake of students, starting in late August 2025.

Please note we are not currently recruiting students into our Accounts & Advisory team or any Audit students into our Southampton office for our 2025 intake.

FAQs

Here, you'll find answers to frequently asked questions about our Graduate Programme. Whether you're wondering about which offices offer apprenticeships, Right to Work requirements, or specific application details, we've got you covered.

If you don't find the information you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact us for further assistance.

Key Dates

Applications opening date: 2 September 2024

Applications closing date: 31 December 2024

Assessment Days: 14 November 2024, 23 January, 4 February, and 29 April 2025

We will also be at the following University Careers & Placement Fairs this Autumn so feel free to come along and talk to us.

University of Bath 14 October 2024

University of Reading 16 October 2024

University of Southampton 17 October 2024

Oxford Brookes University 21 November 2024

Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employer 2024

We are delighted to be recognised as one of the nation’s leading SME apprenticeship employers, placing 14th in this year's Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers list. It is great to see our commitment to delivering high quality programmes recognised in this year’s rankings. We are proud to be featured alongside outstanding employers from a wide range of sectors and industries across the country.

I joined James Cowper Kreston on the graduate scheme and successfully trained and qualified through the programme. I have received formal and informal support through mentoring from other Partners and a road map programme, which has been extremely valuable for me in my progression through to Partner. During my many years at the firm I have had the opportunity to work with a variety of different clients as well as learning from a range of Partners and staff. I now head up our Accounts and Advisory service line as well as working with many of our audit clients across both the corporate and not for profit sector.
Darren O'Connor, Partner
I started my career with the firm after graduating from university without any previous experience in accounting. I spent just over three years working towards my ACA qualification whilst working full time as part of the audit team. As I was constantly learning, both at work and at college, it was a challenging and rewarding experience and I received constant support and reassurance from the firm throughout. When I achieved my qualification, the firm continued to encourage me; they listened and actively supported my career aspirations. I am now an Audit Manager, with my own portfolio of charity and corporate clients, and am also a line manager supporting students through the start of their career who are in the same position as I was years ago. I am excited to see what the future at James Cowper Kreston will bring.
Lucy Stokes, Manager

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