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AccountingBusiness

Audit & Assurance AAT Apprenticeship

James Cowper Kreston · FIRST INTUITION SOUTH LIMITED
Location
Southampton
Postcode
SO15 2NP
Salary
£23,000 a year
Duration
3 Years
Hours per week
37.5h
Positions available
4
Level
Level 4 – Higher
Qualification
Professional accounting technician (level 4)
Start date
23 August 2027
Application deadline
31 January 2027
Posted
3 November 2026
Vacancy reference
2000062291

About the role

Audit is about understanding how businesses operate and helping provide confidence that their financial information is accurate and reliable. You'll work with a wide variety of organisations, gaining first-hand insight into how different businesses operate while supporting experienced colleagues with audit assignments.

You'll learn how to review financial information, gather evidence and identify areas of risk, while developing the communication and professional skills needed to work confidently with clients and colleagues.

As your knowledge and confidence grow, so will your responsibilities. You'll work alongside experienced Managers, Directors and Partners who will support you as you develop your technical knowledge and client-facing skills.

During your first year, you'll start developing the skills to:

  • Prepare financial statements
  • Understand the fundamentals of audit and key areas of risk
  • Gather audit evidence with support from more experienced colleagues
  • Work effectively as part of an Audit team
  • Build professional relationships with clients and colleagues
  • Communicate confidently and professionally

Working week

Monday to Friday 9am to 5:30pm.

Skills

Communication skillsIT skillsAttention to detailOrganisation skillsCustomer care skillsProblem solving skillsAdministrative skillsNumber skillsAnalytical skillsLogicalTeam workingInitiativeResilienceAdaptabilityEnthusiasm to learn

Required qualifications

Essential
GCSE · English Language · Grade 4 or higher
Essential
GCSE · Maths · Grade 4 or higher
Essential
A Level · All subjects · Grade 112 UCAS points or higher

Training & development

  • You will be studying AAT Level 3 and Level 4 over a three-year training contract. 
  • Training will be a mix of classroom based courses and self-study.
  • Classroom sessions will be block release and generally take place at First Intuition's premises in central Reading. 
Future prospects

After completing your AAT qualification, you'll have opportunities to continue your studies with a chartered qualification (ACA or ACCA).

As you build your career with us you will progress to Audit Senior, then Assistant Manager, and potentially follow a route all the way to being a partner in the firm.

Five of our current partners started as trainees with the firm.

Company benefits

  • Paid time off for college and exams
  • 23 days annual holiday, plus birthday as extra day
  • Flexible benefits package including cycle to work scheme
  • Health Cash Plan to reimburse common medical expenses such as dental check ups, eye tests, minor treatments etc
  • Pension scheme
  • Life assurance

Things to consider

For this role, you must be able to drive and either own, or have access to, a car for work purposes.

The trainees in our Audit & Assurance team regularly works across all our offices and are often out on client site so you will need to be able to get yourself to these locations, and they are not always easily accessible via public transport.  

About James Cowper Kreston

James Cowper Kreston is a leading firm of accountants and business advisers with offices across the Thames Valley and South Coast. We work closely with our clients, offering a wide range of services and helping them navigate challenges, seize opportunities and maximise their potential.

We pride ourselves on blending professional excellence with a supportive and friendly culture. We're big enough to offer exciting career opportunities, yet small enough that you'll quickly feel part of a close-knit team.

We're looking for motivated school and college leavers to join our growing Audit & Assurance team. If you're ready to start your career, earn while you learn, and work towards professional qualifications without going to university first, our School Leaver Apprenticeship Programme could be the perfect place to start.

Website
www.jamescowperkreston.co.uk/school-leaver-opportunities/
Contact name
Sarah Pearce
Contact email
spearce@jamescowper.co.uk