Unleash YOUR potential with RPG Chartered Accountants!

We are inviting applications now for people to join the RPG Chartered Accountants Trainee Programme, with a start date of January or September 2025. The role will provide full training as part of the Level 7 Apprenticeship Programme towards the ICAEW professional qualification which will result in successful candidates being ACA qualified – a fully qualified Chartered Accountant.

The January programme will result in a joint qualification – ACA CTA, a fully qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser.

Details:

RPG Chartered Accountants is one of the leading independent firms of chartered accountants in Manchester. We also have an office in North Wales where RPG Chartered Financial Planners, our financial planning and wealth management business, and RPG Payroll Services are primarily located.

There are over 100 people across the different service lines within the RPG Group which means we can look after a wide range of business clients, with turnover ranging from £50,000 to over £650 million. We act across a breadth of sectors and some of the work we carry out is highly specialist. For example, we are one of fewer than 40 accountancy firms (August 2024) regulated to carry out Public Interest Entity (PIE) Audits, which means, for example, that we are able to audit FTSE and AIM listed entities as well as Friendly Societies.

We also have several clients with overseas interests, and we are supported in this through our membership of DFK International which is a tax, audit and accounting services organisation with 204 independent member firms based across 90 countries. Indeed, we were thrilled to be announced as the DFK UK & Ireland Firm of the Year 2023!

Taking the career path of a Chartered Accountant involves continuous learning. We strive to support all our people with comprehensive training. This includes understanding the wider business issues affecting our clients and improving your commercial awareness. You will also have your own personal development plan which will enable you to achieve your long-term ambitions.

We pride ourselves on understanding the needs of our colleagues and value our team having a healthy work life balance. We have a structured wellbeing and social programme for all our people. You can read more about working at RPG by visiting our Recruitment page .

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to providing a service and following practices which are free from unfair and unlawful discrimination. We actively support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and make sure that our colleagues feel valued and are treated with dignity and respect. We value people as individuals with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds.

About the qualification(s):

Working towards the ICAEW professional qualification involves comprehensive work experience and a study programme, using specialist training companies for the tuition and exam support. We offer paid study support in addition to your annual holiday entitlement. The training will be completed in conjunction with a Level 7 Apprenticeship Programme. The programme typically takes between 3 to 5 years and incorporates 15 ICAEW exams plus a skills-based portfolio assessment.

The key difference between the ACA and ACA CTA joint programme is the replacement of the Business Planning Taxation exam with a CTA module, plus an additional technical tax exam.

About the role – January 2025:

One successful candidate will work within our Business Services Group and Tax teams. The role entails:

• Working towards a personal development plan to deliver quality, timely work and achieve long-term career goals.
• Communicating with clients to gather necessary information and clarify queries. Developing strong client relationships and ensuring excellent client service.
• Working as part of a team with colleagues across several service lines.
• Learning how to prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
• Helping with the preparation of financial statements in accordance with relevant accounting standards, typically Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Accounting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.’
• Assisting with the preparation of corporation tax computations and returns.
• Gaining knowledge of broader commercial, financial and taxation issues. This will either be undertaken from our office or at a client’s premises.
• Supporting audit engagement teams with the review of corporation tax computations as part of an audit engagement.
• Maintaining accurate and organised working papers and documentation for engagements.

About the role – September 2025

Up to four successful candidates will work within our Audit and Business Services Group teams. The role entails:

• Working towards a personal development plan to deliver quality, timely work and achieve long-term career goals.
• Communicating with clients to gather necessary information and clarify queries. Developing strong client relationships and ensuring excellent client service.
• Working as part of a team with colleagues across several service lines.
• Helping with the preparation of financial statements in accordance with relevant accounting standards, typically Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Accounting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.’
• Gaining knowledge of broader commercial, financial and taxation issues. This will either be undertaken from our office or at a client’s premises.
• Supporting engagement teams in the planning, execution and completion of audit engagements, including fieldwork and documentation.
• Maintaining accurate and organised working papers and documentation for engagements.

What are we looking for?

• For Graduates – a 2:1 or above degree from relevant and non-relevant degree disciplines.
• For Graduates and Non-Graduates – UCAS tariff score of 120 (equivalent to BBB at A-Level).
• For Non-Graduates – GCSEs in Maths and English of a minimum Grade 6/B.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• IT proficiency.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Motivation and initiative.
• Team player.
• Desire to learn and get stuck in.
• A sense of humour!

Benefits:

• A competitive salary, subject to annual merit-based reviews and exam progression.
• A fully funded ICAEW professional qualification and Level 7 Apprenticeship.
• Employer’s contributions to the company pension scheme.
• Free parking on a rota basis, with free out-of-hours Manchester City Centre parking.
• Flexible benefits package including shopping discounts, cycle to work and electric car scheme.
• Regular technical, technological, compliance and business skills training.
• Wellbeing programme.
• You will initially receive 20 days holiday per year (3 to be taken between Christmas and New Year) plus bank holidays, subject to progressive increases.

• Death in service cover of 4 x salary.

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Office location: Central Manchester

Salary: Non-Graduates £18,000, Graduates £21,000.

 Please see the application process guidance notes below.