School Leaver Programme, Audit - Guildford (Sept 2026)

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

Introduction to the Audit & Assurance team at S&W

Many businesses need to reassure investors and other stakeholders of their financial performance, even where a full audit isn’t necessary, appropriate, or required by law. The team you’ll be joining provides wide-reaching Audit & Assurance services to a diverse client base. Ranging from small businesses and family enterprise start-ups to non-profit organisations, across a range of industries, both in the UK and internationally.

What will you be doing?

As part of our Audit & Assurance team you will be working directly with client finance teams at varying levels of seniority, from Accounts Assistants to Financial Directors. Your working environment will differ on each engagement, either based at client offices or at an S&W office, working collaboratively to provide assurance, advice and solutions that really make a difference.

Our audits follow a cycle of Planning, Fieldwork and Completion, each phase can last anywhere between one week to several months, depending on the size and complexity of the client. You will quickly gain exposure to a variety of businesses, developing the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective auditor and trusted business adviser. Alongside your work, you'll receive first-class professional training as you study for the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification, which will enable you to gain a full understanding of the technical aspects of audit and accountancy and additional financial advisory services.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Working as part of a team to undertake a variety of audit and accountancy tasks
• Developing an understanding of our clients and their business portfolios
• Keeping senior stakeholders informed of project updates
• Becoming familiar with our audit and accounting software
• Resolving queries, whether of an audit or accountancy nature
• Prioritising tasks whilst monitoring time against budget

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be committed to working towards the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) level 7 professional qualification
• A Level: Predicted or obtained minimum 112 UCAS points in top three A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies
• GCSE: Minimum Grade 5 (or equivalent), in English Language and Maths respectively

Learning & Development

You’ll be supported in completing your qualification; gaining the finance knowledge, accountancy skills and real-world business experience to jumpstart your career. And you won’t do it alone - you’ll be joining as part of a cohort with your own personal support network, including a buddy to offer first-hand experience. Your qualification training will be supported by a leading UK training provider, and you’ll be given the space and time to study whilst developing a variety of skills to become a well-rounded advisor. You’ll receive guidance and support each step of the way by our dedicated Learning & Development team and training contact for your department to make sure you have everything you need to realise your potential from day one.   

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include:

• Fully funded training towards professional qualifications
• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support
• Shared parental leave

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workspace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

When you click on the ‘I’m interested’ button you’ll be taken to your profile page. We’re in the process of updating it but in the meantime:

• We can only accept one application to any of our programmes in a recruitment season. If you are unsuccessful, you will need to wait until the next September when we re-open applications for the following year.
• Under the ‘Experience’ section, if you do not have any experience please enter ‘N/A’ into the ‘Title’ text box and choose a random end and start date
• Under the ‘Education’ section you do NOT need to include all your education details as we’ll ask for this separately once you’ve completed your profile. All you need to do is fill in the ‘Institution’ (aka School) question which is mandatory.
• Under the ‘Resume’ (aka CV) section, it is mandatory for you to upload a document, however, it will not be formally reviewed.
• The ‘Message to Hiring Manager’ text box is NOT mandatory and will not be formally reviewed.