Sanctuary opportunity
Graduate opportunity
Full time
Financial Services
Graduate Accountant - Accounts & Outsourcing
This three-year Graduate Trainee Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain experience across both Accounts & Advisory and Outsourcing teams.
- Location
- UK
- Salary
- Competitive
- Start date
- August 2027
- Deadline
- Closes 31st December 2026
At a glance
Why this opportunity stands out
- Preparing management accounts and client reporting
- Assisting with year-end statutory accounts
- Supporting VAT and Business Tax compliance work
Location: Newbury or Reading
Salary: Competitive, with structured annual progression
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: Late August 2027
Qualification Pathway: ACA or ACCA
About The Company
James Cowper Kreston is a leading firm of accountants and business advisers with offices across the Thames Valley and South of England. They work with clients, not just as accountants but as an integral part of their team, offering a full range of advisory services and working with them to maximise their potential.
They pride themselves on being a firm that blends professional excellence with a supportive and friendly culture and are big enough to offer exciting career opportunities, yet small enough that you’ll quickly feel part of a close-knit team.
The business are looking for the next generation of trainees to join their growing Business Tax team. If you have already obtained your degree, or are about to do so, then this Graduate Trainee Programme offers a practical way to kick-start a rewarding career in tax.
About The Programme
This three-year Graduate Trainee Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain experience across both Accounts & Advisory and Outsourcing teams while studying towards either the ACA or ACCA qualification.
By working across both teams, you'll develop a broader understanding of accountancy than many traditional graduate training contracts provide, gaining experience across the full accounting and tax lifecycle, with exposure to financial reporting, management accounts, VAT, business advisory work and tax compliance.
About The Role
The structure of the role reflects the natural rhythm of the clients' accounting cycles. The first part of each month will typically be spent supporting the Outsourcing team with management reporting, month-end journals, VAT work and financial reporting. The latter part of the month will be spent within Accounts & Advisory, working on statutory accounts, Business Tax and advisory assignments.
This combination of experience will help you build strong technical, commercial and client-facing skills while developing a strong understanding of how businesses operate and how accountants add value at every stage of the business lifecycle.
You'll work alongside experienced colleagues, building relationships with clients and gaining exposure to a variety of industries, assignments and advisory projects.
By the end of the first year, you should be experienced in:
- Preparing management accounts and client reporting
- Assisting with year-end statutory accounts
- Supporting VAT and Business Tax compliance work
- Preparing forecasts and financial information
- Liaising directly with clients and responding to queries
- Working with cloud accounting software and digital finance systems
- Supporting advisory assignments and business projects
- Developing an understanding of accounting, tax and how businesses operate
What We Are Looking for
We're looking for motivated graduates who are keen to build a long-term career in accountancy and enjoy working with both people and numbers.
You'll need to have:
- an achieved / predicted 2:2 degree in any discipline
- at least 112 UCAS points from your top three A-levels (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and EPQ).
- minimum Grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English.
- UK driving licence and access to a car
- the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme (we are unable to provide sponsorship)
We're particularly interested in candidates who demonstrate:
- strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- good attention to detail
- strong organisational and time-management skills
- a proactive and positive approach to learning
- the ability to build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues
The Accounts & Outsourcing role at James Cowper Kreston offers you the opportunity to build a long-term career, not just get a qualification. Through being given early responsibility, including real client exposure, you will gain invaluable experience in a wide variety of businesses and sectors.
In addition to this experience and your salary, you will benefit from:
- Full study support including all tuition and exam fees
- Paid study leave
- Early responsibility
- Exposure to a wide variety of clients and sectors
- A supportive, collaborative environment where your development is a priority
- Dedicated buddy and line manager
- Great Place to Work certified
- Pension scheme
- Flexible benefits package, including cycle-to-work, life assurance and flu vaccinations
- 23 days' annual leave, plus your birthday off
- Mental Health First Aiders in every office
- Active social committees and regular social events