Accounts Apprentice

Job title: Accounts Apprentice / Trainee – Level 4 (School leaver) or Level 7 (Graduate)

Hours: Full time Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm (37.5 hours per week)

Location: ROLE IS BASED IN SIDCUP FULL TIME. PLEASE ONLY APPLY IF YOU CAN WORK IN THIS LOCATION.

Affinia regretfully cannot offer sponsorship - this includes candidates who are currently on a Student Visa.

Affinia is a UK Top 50 Accountancy firm and growing. Through successful acquisitions and organic growth, we have seen significant development within the last 18 months.

We focus on building authentic connections, collaboration and growth both with our clients and colleagues. Affinia is a challenger accounting, tax and business advisory firm with over 300 years' experience, bringing together financial experts from across London, East Anglia & Southeast England. We have more than 500 accountancy professionals across all our offices and advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across seven principal practice groups: Accountancy & Advisory, Tax and Planning, Audit Services, Corporate Finance, Digital Solutions, Payroll and Financial Planning

We have invested continuously in technology and gained in-depth knowledge across a broad range of markets, growing through acquisitions and private investment. We offer an exceptional service to our clients, with access to our sector experts to develop the strategy that will help them reach their goals. We keep a finger on the industry pulse, so our clients receive the best short to medium and long-term advice.

We offer flexible and hybrid working – your line manager will work with you to agree the pattern that works best for you and Affinia.

We provide access to training providers such as Croner-i, Tolley's, Mercia, and LinkedIn Learning to meet the needs of our people from both a hard and soft skills perspective. We also work with an Apprenticeship provider to offer the combination of paid work and access to professional qualifications.

Purpose of the role:

Are you looking to start a rewarding and challenging career in one of the most admired and highly regarded Top 50 Accountancy practices?

Affinia is now accepting applications for our AAT and ICAEW/ACCA trainee programmes which commence early in January 2026 in
SIDCUP OFFICE ONLY.

We have a fantastic study support package where Affinia will pay for all your tuition and Institute fees and you will also be entitled to paid time off for your studies and exams, along with mentoring support.

The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT)

As an AAT apprentice, you will learn the fundamentals of bookkeeping and accounting, as well as more advanced topics like budget management and financial performance evaluation, as well as personal and corporate tax. Our apprenticeship program offers a robust training path, with proven progression.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

An ICAEW Apprenticeship will enable you to start working in any sector and take the first steps to qualifying as a chartered accountant.

The certificate includes the first six exam modules of the ACA qualification, but it is also recognised globally as a standalone qualification. You will be paid while studying for the ICAEW CFAB and gaining valuable business knowledge.

At Affinia, our trainees have years of valuable experience and are expertly equipped to guide you through your training. We adopt a collaborative and encouraging culture and will provide you with the knowledge and experience that you need to take the next step in your accounting career.

Skills/Qualifications:

For the AAT trainee programme, we expect applicants to be non-graduates and require you to have (or be predicted to achieve) either:

• A minimum of 2 A levels at Grade C or above (including Maths related subject)
• The equivalent standard in vocational qualifications.

If the qualification type varies from this, the application will be assessed on an individual basis. If you do not hold a Maths A level, then we expect a minimum attainment of Grade 6/Grade B in GCSE Maths.

As an applicant for the ICAEW (also known as ACA) or ACCA trainee programme, we would expect you to be a graduate with a minimum 2:1 degree.

• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Initiative-taking, diligent, flexible, and prepared to undertake some travel.
• Ambitious with drive and resilience.
• Enthusiasm with a keen interest in learning and professional development.
• Excellent analytical skills with an eye for detail.
• Strong IT/Microsoft abilities.
• A professional approach with the ability to communicate with clients both via email & over phone/face to face.

Please note for trainee roles, we do not sponsor visas or consider those on a Graduate Visa.

Core Benefits:

At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• 20 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays
• Full study support and paid time off for study / exams
• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme
• Professional membership support
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we

do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender

reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.