School Leaver Apprenticeship - Business Tax

Location: Oxford, Reading, Southampton
Qualification Pathway: CFAB, then ACA CTA Joint Programme

About Us

James Cowper Kreston is a leading firm of accountants and business advisers with offices across the Thames Valley, London and South. We 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 unlock and take advantage of available opportunities.

We are a team of over 250 people, where everyone gets to play their part in helping achieve our goals. We have a strong team ethic, but always recognise the individual contributions. That’s why we make a great investment in individual career development and helping you maximise your potential.

We are currently looking for the next generation of auditors to join our growing team.  If you have already obtained your degree, or are about to do so, then our Graduate Trainee Programme offers a practical way to kick-start a rewarding career in accountancy.

The Programme

If university isn’t the right choice for you, then our School Leaver Apprenticeship Programme offers a practical and exciting alternative to kick-start an exciting career in accountancy. You’ll combine structured classroom-based learning with hands-on experience across a variety of client engagements, as well as developing key soft skills to help advance your career. This is a practical and rewarding way to launch your career in accountancy.

Our programme provides a clear, structured pathway to achieve not one, but two prestigious chartered qualifications. You’ll begin by studying for the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting & Business (CFAB) as part of a Level 4 Apprenticeship (approximately 18 months). Following this, you’ll progress to a Level 7 Apprenticeship to complete the ACA CTA Joint Programme (around 3 years). This means you could become ACA qualified in just four years and achieve CTA status within five – setting you up for an exceptional career in tax.

The Role

Your initial focus would be on understanding how a company’s corporation tax return works, how it links to the company’s accounts and some of the key components that make it up, along with tax technical rules around it. You would build this knowledge up in your early career until I your second and third years you would expect to get more involved in advisory projects, working with Managers.

You would learn how it interact with third parties, such as our clients and HMRC, and work alongside experienced seniors, managers, directors and partners.

As an example, by the end of your first year, we aim for you to be able to:

• Perform first reviews of basic corporation tax computations and returns.

• Be aware and able to discuss principles around R&D relief, capital allowances.

• Assist Managers on advisory projects on an ad-hoc basis and when they arise on clients you are assigned to.

• Attend meetings alongside a manager and become a point of contact for some of the clients you work on.

• Be comfortable dealing with HMRC over the phone.

What We're Looking For
 

• At least 112 UCAS points from your top 3 A-levels, preferably in related subjects (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking & Extended Project).

• Minimum Grade 4 in GCSE Maths and English Language.

• A genuine interest in tax and accountancy.

• Strong communication and organisational skills.

• Resilience and the ability to adapt to challenges

• Effective teamwork and collaboration skills

• A valid UK driving licence, or already be learning

• The right to work in the UK for the duration of the training contract

What We Offer

• Full study support including exam fees and paid study leave.

• 23 days annual leave plus your birthday off.

• Pension scheme and flexible benefits (e.g. cycle to work, dental insurance, holiday buy, flu jabs).

• Agile working and mental health support.

• A dedicated buddy and line manager.

• Active social committees and monthly pizza lunches.