Job Description

Location: Birmingham

Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday)  

Salary: Competitive starting salary with increases at key milestones to qualification. 

Start date: September 2027

Looking to start a professional career where you'll work with businesses, build relationships, solve problems, and gain a respected accountancy qualification? Our Audit Graduate Scheme could be the perfect first step.

At the heart of successful auditing is a desire to question everything. Our clients rely on us to provide an independent view of their finances, identify risks, and ensure their accounts are accurate and compliant. From national companies to entrepreneurial start-ups, no two jobs are the same.  

By developing your technical expertise in the classroom and the office, you will learn, as part of a close-knit team, how to put your knowledge into practice and deliver exceptional results on the job. Our auditors are among the best in the industry and can help you reach your full potential in the field.  

Audit is about so much more than numbers – you can have a real impact on the people and businesses behind the figures. By sustaining our clients’ compliance, we open the door to future growth.  

For a varied and fulfilling career with significant earning potential, apply to join our Audit Graduate Scheme today.

Job description 

On our Audit Graduate Scheme, you will really get to know our clients and build close relationships to understand their needs better. You will provide crucial advice on financial performance, business systems, and risks to help every client achieve their objectives. 

You'll join us on an ACA training contract, allowing you to work with a variety of businesses across different sectors while studying towards a professional qualification.

You will gain valuable technical skills, a broad commercial understanding, and in-depth knowledge of different industry sectors on your journey to becoming a qualified Accountant at PKF Smith Cooper.  

Throughout our Audit Graduate Scheme, you will receive the specialist support you need to reach your full potential in audit. With an ambitious and supportive team behind you, you will become a key player in delivering and developing our audit services. As your experience grows, so will your opportunities.  

Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with experienced audit professionals to plan and execute audit engagements for a diverse range of clients across various industries 
• Assist in conducting risk assessments, documenting systems and controls, and performing substantive testing to ensure accuracy and compliance 
• Analyse financial statements and related data to identify trends, discrepancies, and areas of concern 
• Contribute to the evaluation of a client's financial health and provide valuable insights to aid in decision-making 
• Maintain accurate and organised audit documentation, ensuring it aligns with our standards and best practices 
• Interact with clients and team members professionally and effectively, both in written and verbal communication 
• Articulate audit findings, observations, and recommendations in a clear and understandable manner 
• Collaborate with team members and other service lines to address audit-related challenges 
• Stay updated on relevant audit regulations, standards, and industry developments 
• Progress successfully through your ACA or ACCA qualification, with support from the firm  

Training and development

Training with a firm like PKF Smith Cooper offers you depth and variety in your client assignments. Through our Audit Graduate Scheme, you will benefit from exposure to a wide range of work with businesses of all sizes, many of them local to our offices. 

Our partners take a direct interest in the development and progression of our graduates. We aim to equip every graduate with the skills they need to become a future leader – our Managing Partner started at PKF Smith Cooper as a graduate himself, so who knows what you could achieve through our graduate scheme! 

As an ICAEW and ACCA Approved Training Employer, we are recognised for our high-quality training and development. 

Your skills and qualities: 

• Any degree at 2:1 or above and a minimum of BBC at A Level (or equivalent)
• A genuine interest in pursuing a career in audit and accountancy
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and adapt to changing priorities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is beneficial
• Although a driving licence and car aren’t a requirement, it will be highly beneficial as you will need to travel to our different client sites
• No prior experience required

Why PKF Smith Cooper? 

PKF Smith Cooper is the 13th largest accounting firm by UK fee income (Accountancy Age Top 50+50) and a member of PKF Global, a network of legally independent firms operating in 150 countries. This global reach enables us to share expertise, specialist knowledge, and resources while delivering a personal service to our clients.

Our team of award-winning accountants and business advisors has ambitious growth plans over the next few years. As a fast-growing firm and ICAEW and ACCA Approved Training Employer, we are passionate about developing homegrown talent. Through comprehensive training, development, and progression opportunities, we can help you achieve your full potential and build a successful career in professional services.

Why Birmingham?

In the heart of the vibrant city, our new, state-of-the-art office boasts a contemporary open plan working area, on-site gym with lockers and shower facilities, and a large roof terrace perfect for taking in the views of the city. Our Birmingham office is easily accessible via train, being adjacent to Snowhill Train Station and only a 10-minute walk from New Street Station.

What's in it for you?

Our benefits package has been designed around our people and shaped by our values. As part of Team PKF Smith Cooper, here are some of the things you can expect:

• A working environment that empowers you to perform at your best, through our flexible working policy and dress for your diary scheme
• Time to do what matters to you – 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, the option to reduce annual hours for additional annual leave, and your birthday off, on us. Long-serving employees can also request a sabbatical, giving you the chance to make truly unforgettable memories
• Rewards for those who actively embrace and embody our values and culture through our Kudos Reward Scheme
• Regular social events and annual, company-wide away days, allowing you to engage with colleagues across your division and office, as well as the wider firm
• Bonus referral schemes for introducing new talent or clients so that when we benefit, you do too
• Life doesn’t stop at the end of the working day and neither do our benefits. We also offer life assurance, discounts on a huge variety of retailers through the PKF Smith Cooper Rewards Scheme, and cashback on healthcare (including dental visits, physiotherapy etc) through Simplyhealth.
• A day to give back through our Volunteer Day initiative, providing you with dedicated time each year to support a charity or cause that matters to you while making a positive impact in your local community.

Ready to start your career with PKF Smith Cooper? We'd love to hear from you.

How to apply?

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to a member of the People team at careers@pkfsmithcooper.com or by calling 01332 332021.

Please note that we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds; however, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who require a visa to work in the UK.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Also, we kindly ask that recruitment agencies refrain from contacting us unless we have directly reached out to you.