Trainee Chartered Accountant – one additional place now available for September 2025.
We are delighted to invite applications for one additional training position that has become available for September 2025. Applications will close at close of business on Friday 25th July 2025. The successful candidate will be invited to join the two other successful candidates on Monday 1st September 2025. Please see below for full details.
If would like to express interest in receiving details about the September 2026 training opportunities as soon as they become available, please email our recruitment team at recruitment@rpg.co.uk We look forward to hearing from people who want to achieve their potential!
You can see more information here Recruitment – RPG Chartered Accountants about working with us.
RPG Chartered Accountants Trainee Programme: September 2025
Unleash YOUR potential with RPG Chartered Accountants!
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.
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 global association of independent accounting firms and their expert teams, working closely together across 430 office in over 90 countries. Each member firm, independently owned and managed, meets the DFK standard of excellence.
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:
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.
About the role – September 2025
One additional successful candidate 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.
Candidate Application Process Guidance
Reminder – applications for the additional 2025 intake closes on 25th July 2025.
Please contact us by email recruitment@rpg.co.uk to express interest in receiving information as soon as it becomes available regarding the 2026 intake.
To ensure a smooth and efficient recruitment process, please carefully follow the steps outlined below. This guidance is designed to help you understand each stage of the process, what is required from you and to set your expectations regarding our timeline.
STAGE 1: Application Submission
Please submit a cover letter along with your CV to recruitment@rpg.co.uk. For guidance on drafting a strong cover letter, you may find this website helpful.
Please see below for some guidance questions which you could include an answer to within your cover letter:
What inspired you to pursue a career in accountancy, and how do you see yourself contributing to the field in the future?
- Why do you believe RPG is the right firm for you, and how do you think you can add value to our team?
- What kind of employer would you like to work for? What is important to you? What sort of people would you like to work with?
Within your cover letter, please clearly specify that you are applying for the additional September 2025 role.
All applications must be submitted by close of business on Friday 25th July 2025 and candidates will be notified of the outcome of their initial application by 29th July 2025.
If your application is successful, you will receive an email with a booking link to schedule the next stage of the process.
STAGE 2: Initial Conversation
You will have a two-sided conversation with two managers. The managers will be from our Audit and Business Services departments.
The conversation will be for one hour and face-to-face in our Manchester Office.
You will not be expected to prepare anything, but it is advised that you do some research into the Firm, the role, the industry and training pathway prior.
The training provider we use is First Intuition and the qualification is the ICAEW professional qualification (ACA or ACA/CTA).
We would also encourage you to prepare questions and bring a notebook/laptop to take notes during the session.
Initial sessions will be concluded by 8th August 2025.
STAGE 3: Final Conversation
A two-sided conversation with two of our directors.
The conversation will be for one hour and it will be face-to-face in our Manchester office.
Similar to the Initial Conversation, you are not expected to prepare anything, but we would advise you to reflect on the first conversation and to ask any further questions that you may have.
Again, we would encourage you to prepare questions and bring a notebook/laptop to take notes during the session.
Final sessions will take place in mid August 2025.
We are seeking candidates who not only excel academically and handle exams with confidence but who also align well with RPG’s culture. We value individuals with a strong work ethic, a commitment to continuous learning, and a drive for success. We also appreciate those who bring personality and a great sense of humour to the table. If you have experience in work or volunteering, we’re eager to hear about it.
Please ensure that you adhere to the timelines and instructions provided at each stage of the process. the successful candidate will be invited to join the two other successful candidates on Monday 1st September.
We look forward to reviewing your application.
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