At Smith & Williamson we recruit high calibre people with the skills, knowledge and commitment to meet the demands of the business. The graduate programme is a structured training programme combining practical experience with technical studies, as well as providing numerous opportunities to increase your skill set with internal courses ranging from personal impact and negotiation skills to time management to delivering presentations.

What will I be doing? 

Many businesses need to reassure investors and other stakeholders on their financial performance, even where a full audit isn’t necessary, appropriate, or required by law. We provide wide-reaching financial advisory services to international clients across a number of industries and a diverse client base, ranging from small businesses and family enterprise start-ups to non-profit organisations.

As part of our Assurance & Business Services team you could be working directly with managing and financial directors, checking that numbers stack up with fact. This means providing advice and solutions that really make a difference.

Many of our audits last just one or two weeks, which means you’ll quickly gain exposure to a variety of businesses. You’ll also build valuable client experience, 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.

Purpose of role: 

To audit pension scheme annual accounts, in line with statutory requirements and under the direction of more senior staff. In accordance with statutory requirements Pension Schemes are required to prepare audited accounts. The purpose of which is to:

• Demonstrate that the trustees of the pension scheme (a legal term for a holder of the pension scheme assets on behalf of the pension scheme members) have demonstrated how they have discharged their duties and ensuring that they have properly met their
• Convey to all pension scheme members information about the security of their pensions, investment performance, information about the progress of the scheme to meet future financial commitments and basic information about the pension scheme.
• Provide information for the participating employer about the trustee’s stewardship of the pension scheme, the development of the scheme and security of the assets.
• Comply with pension scheme and accountancy regulations
• Provide clear and reliable information about the transactions of the scheme, including unusual transactions, and about the current position, activities and policies of the pension

As a pension scheme auditor your role is to ensure that the pension scheme Annual Accounts show a true and fair view through the carrying out of pre-determined audit tests.
Responsibilities of the Pensions Trainee Chartered Accountant position could include:

• Work as part of a team to undertake a variety of audit and accountancy tasks
• Obtain information and explanations from client
• Establish professional, polite and friendly relationship with client
• Resolution of queries whether of a pension audit or accountancy nature
• Develop an understanding of our client’s and their businesses
• Complete audit programmes and form conclusions on each individual test and section completed
• Understand from your manager the scope of tasks allocated and objectives to be achieved
• Keep seniors and managers fully informed of any issues and problems, ensure work is completed to a level agreed with the manager and record clearly and concisely work done
• Become familiar with our audit and accounting software
• Prioritising tasks whilst monitoring time against budget

What training and development will I receive in my first few years? 

In this team you will be given responsibility from an early stage. By your second year in the role you could be taking on a more senior role with smaller clients and helping to supervise the new intake of trainees.

To be successful in this role you will: 

• Be committed and motivated to studying towards the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification
• Be able to deliver first class client service and work effectively as part of a team
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Have a high level of general commercial awareness

Academic requirements: 

• Must have or be on course for at least a 2:1 honours degree in any discipline
• 300 UCAS points (or equivalent) in your top three A-levels (excluding General Studies)
• GCSE English and maths (or equivalent) at a minimum of grade B