School Leaver Programme, Business Tax - Southampton (Sept 2026)

Competitive

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 Business Tax team at S&W Our Business Tax team provides tax advisory and compliance services to a wide range of clients, from large multinational groups to owner-managed businesses, covering all relevant taxes, including Corporation Tax, International Tax, Indirect Tax, and Employment Tax.   What will you be doing? Across your 4-year training contract, you can expect to learn the skills needed to support our clients with navigating an increasingly complex tax landscape through the delivery of a wide range of tax advisory and compliance related services. You will learn how various domestic and international tax rules apply to our clients, and how we can provide innovative, tailored solutions to support them with managing their tax obligations. You will work closely with existing client teams, including Partners and Directors, to manage the day-to-day delivery of our services, thus enabling you to develop a deep understanding of clients’ businesses and a range of professional and transferable skills from an early stage in your career. Tax is a dynamic, complex industry, underpinned by intricate legislation that is regularly updated. On-the-job training, via both in-person training sessions and a variety of courses on the online training portal, combined with support from the wider team will provide you with the tools to develop your understanding of this constantly changing industry. In addition to your client work, you will study towards the ACA qualification. This is an advanced programme that will provide you with the opportunity to develop both your business and technical skills. You will also achieve the government-recognised Level 7 professional qualification, developing essential soft skills sought out in the professional services sector. You will begin studying towards your first professional exams, developing knowledge that will support your work in the department. Through tuition via an acclaimed provider, and a qualified team with the same experience, you will have the support and resources to study for these exams. Your responsibilities will include: Preparation of tax computations, returns and supplementary filings, as well as client communications and deliverables Assisting with research assignments and drafting technical documentation Supporting members of the team on more complex client projects and advisory engagements Building relationships with your own clients Building relationships with colleagues both within Tax and across the wider business Delivering first class client service and working effectively as part of a team Maintaining and developing vital soft skills 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

School Leaver Programme, Private Client Tax - Salisbury (Sept 2026)

Competitive

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 Private Client Tax team at S&W Our Private Client Tax Services team helps individuals from all walks of life with their tax issues.  With over 6,000 private tax clients and 1,500 trusts, our team’s client base is incredibly diverse, including high-net-worth families and individuals, as well as entrepreneurs, business owners and family businesses. You will be joining a team that supports clients to meet their tax compliance obligations, liaises with HMRC on their behalf and provides advice to assist with their short and long-term needs and objectives. This can include preparing their tax returns, repayment claims, computations, accounts, advice and dealing with any correspondence from HMRC. What will you be doing? As part of our Private Client Tax team, you will combine hands-on practical experience which could be advising on tax efficient strategies or helping clients with financial planning whilst studying. You will be given responsibility from an early stage in your career. By the second year, you will be taking on a more senior role with smaller clients and helping to supervise the new intake of trainees. As your experience grows, you may have opportunities to experience other assignments such as control reviews and due diligence projects.  During your training contract you will study towards the ATT/CTA. You will also achieve the government-recognised Level 7 professional qualification, developing essential soft skills sought out in the professional services sector. You will begin studying towards your first professional exams, developing knowledge that will support your work in the department. Through tuition via an acclaimed provider, and a qualified team with the same experience, you will have the support and resources to study for these exams. Your responsibilities will include: Liaising with clients and third parties to obtain necessary information Preparation of basic tax returns or repayment claim forms Advising clients of their forthcoming tax liabilities and tax matters affecting them Assisting in the preparation of tax advice for clients including technical tax research, strategic planning and drafting of reports for clients Dealing with correspondence from clients, HMRC and other third parties. This can be via letter, email or telephone. To be successful in this role, you should: Be committed working towards the Associate Tax Technician and Chartered Tax Advisor (ATT/CTA), a 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 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 reviewed.    The ‘Message to Hiring Manager’ text box is NOT mandatory and will not be formally reviewed.  

School Leaver Programme, Accountancy - Guildford (December 2025)

Competitive

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 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 University) question which is mandatory. If you have more than one degree please include your latest one. Under the ‘Resume’ (aka CV) section, it is mandatory for you to upload a document as this will be reviewed by the hiring manager. The ‘Message to Hiring Manager’ text box is NOT mandatory and will not be formally reviewed.