Early Careers | Graduate Programme
Everyone is so generous with their time, support and expertise that you’re constantly learning, growing and getting better.
Masters equivalent qualification + real work experience
We don’t take a standard approach to early careers. That’s why our unique, business-focused programme’s are designed to kick start your accounting career.
Over three years, you’ll study towards a Level 7 apprenticeship with an ACA qualification. That’s the equivalent of a Masters degree! And you’re involved in real projects, so you'll build the knowledge and skills you need to become a future business adviser.
It’s not just about numbers, accountancy is all about business. So, you’ll hit the ground running and pick up valuable professional and life skills. Skills that could take you into any industry. Maybe as a Finance Director, or even running your own company. Anywhere in the world.
Download our Graduate BrochureThe programme format
Induction
A warm welcome + so much more
Our induction week gives you a great introduction to our business. You’ll get to meet some of our senior partners and you’ll be encouraged to ask them any questions. Seriously, anything – there’s no such thing as a silly question! It’s a great opportunity to start building your professional network. But it’s not all business-focused. We’ll also cover areas such as your own personal wellbeing. The support you can expect. And how to get the work/life/study balance right. You’ll also be assigned an experienced graduate as a buddy who can help you with any practical stuff, based on their own experience. So, by the end of the week, you’ll be well-prepared to get started in your chosen business area.
Ongoing professional development
Business experience + recognised qualifications
We’ve designed our programme to help you build the expertise you need to be a future leader in the firm. It’s far more than a technical qualification. Your learning starts from day one and it never stops. Your manager will make sure you have every opportunity to learn and shine on real client projects along with taking on a commercially-based monthly task. Which means, you’ll constantly be building your professional business skills. You’ll also be taking exams towards your ACA qualification each year. You’ll have residential training weeks and study leave to support you. And we’ll give you coaching in a whole range of softer skills, too. From networking to negotiation. Personal branding to professional ethics. Plus, once you’ve qualified, we’ll give you all the support you need to continue building your career with us. Including our Future Talent programme for budding future leaders.
Wellbeing + support
Your wellbeing is top of our priorities. You’ll find plenty of support, if you need it. From your buddy to our learning and development team, to dedicated mental health first aiders in every office. You’ll always find someone to talk to. As part of a large group of apprentices, you’ll have a great natural support network, too. Whichever office you’re based in, you’ll always have someone to share experiences with.
And each office has its own social committee. So, there’s always something to get involved in. Once a year, you’ll also get together with all the other apprentices for a residential professional development week. It’s a great chance to learn and socialise together.
What we're looking for
We’re not looking for maths or accountancy specialists. That might sound strange coming from an accountancy firm, but we’re more than accountants. We see ourselves as business advisers, and, more importantly, so do our clients.
A genuine interest in, and enthusiasm for, business.
The ability to analyse large amounts of data. And think around commercial problems.
Good with numbers, but more importantly, good with people.
Great at building a rapport with clients from a range of backgrounds.
A commitment to always doing the right thing.
Meet some of our apprentices
Ella Kinder
Ella Kinder joined the Bishop Fleming apprenticeship programme, just before the pandemic. Ella discusses how she has been supported throughout the firm and her journey as an apprentice.
Click the play button to watch her film.
Meet some of our apprentices
Sam Wotton
Sam Wotton joined Bishop Fleming in 2020 during the pandemic. Even as a new member he has felt supported to grow under the Bishop Fleming apprenticeship scheme.
Click the play button to watch his film.
You + us. The perfect match.
Online application
It all starts with your application. Just fill in our online form and attach your CV. We’ll email you straight away to let you know we’ve received it. Within two weeks we will let you know what happens next.
Online test
We’ll email you an invitation to take an online test. This measures your numerical skills and your ability to analyse information and draw conclusions from it.
Video interview questions
We’ll send you a link to six online questions. They’ll cover areas such as why you want to join us; why you want to be an accountant; what qualities you think you’d bring to our business. You’ll have five days to prepare and post videos of yourself giving your answers.
Assessment centre
This could be a virtual assessment centre or face-to-face and will include an interview along with a business-related task. This will give you an opportunity to meet us, understand more about how we work and ask any questions you might have.
Tour
If you’ve come into meet us in-person, there will be an opportunity to have a walking Q&A with one of our existing trainees. If it’s virtual we’ll organise a call with one of our trainees.
Offer
Congratulations! You made it through! We’ll send you an offer to join the programme and give you all the information you need to make your final decision.
Before you start
We’ll keep in touch with you before you join. And we’ll invite you to join our WhatsApp group, where you can catch up with our news, advice and information, and you’ll get to know some of your future colleagues.
Hints + tips from the team
Before you apply
Go online and do your homework about our business, our programmes, and the opportunity. This will help you to decide if you’re right for us – and if our programme’s right for you. If you decide to apply, think about what we’ll want to know about you and what you’ll bring to our business. Then come up with examples to show us that you know your stuff and what you could add.
Hints + tips from the team
When you apply
This is your chance to sell yourself to us. Tell us why you want to join an accountancy firm. Why you want to train with us specifically, and, why you want to get a professional qualification.
Hints + tips from the team
Your CV
This should be a brief overview of you, your experience and your ambitions. So, make it personal, with an opening statement about why we should give you the opportunity. Give it a logical structure, in chronological order, and try to keep it to two A4 pages. Accuracy is really important. Once you’ve written your CV, check it carefully, and consider getting someone else to check it.
Hints + tips from the team
Video interview
Prepare properly. Take a look at all the questions and plan your answers. Think about your interests and passions, not just your studies or work experience. Find out all you can about our business and the programme. From our teams to our locations and the way we work. Most of all, show us just how much you really want to join the programme.
Hints + tips from the team
Assessment centre
If you’re coming for an in-person assessment centre, please arrive on time. Or, if you get delayed, let us know. In your interview, try to make eye contact. Speak clearly, positively and enthusiastically, but don’t overdo it – try to keep your answers short and to the point. And, please, turn off your phone before it starts!
A little Q+A
While we've tried to answer all the questions that you may have about the programme. We're sure to have missed a couple. That said, here are a few answers to the most common questions that our resourcing team are asked.
And remember if the answer isn't here you can always contact the team.
When do you begin recruiting for your graduate intake?
We usually start recruiting our graduate roles in mid-November. We’ll announce when we’re open for applications on our social media channels, so look out for it there.
Do I have to complete an apprenticeship?
Yes, you’ll join the Level 7 Accountancy Apprenticeship. That’s the equivalent of a Masters Degree. This gives you the chance to gain the technical knowledge you need to become a chartered accountant. At the same time, you’re working on real client projects. So, you’ll develop the skills, behaviours and commercial understanding you need to become a future business adviser.
What training provider would I study with for my ACA or ACA/CTA qualification?
Your apprenticeship provider is Bishop Fleming. You’ll study for your professional qualifications at First Intuition.
When do your graduate roles start?
Most of our graduates start in September, you may be able to start earlier, depending on our business needs.
What’s the closing date for your graduate roles?
We don’t have a closing date. So, once applications go live, we start recruiting until we’ve filled all the roles. That means the sooner you apply, the more likely you are to be accepted.
Apply now
Are you ready to join an graduate programme where you'll gain early responsibility from day one and undertake a diverse range of stimulating and interesting work?
Take the first step and click on the Apply Now link below.
Apply NowContact the team
If you have any questions about the recruitment process or the program itself, please contact our resourcing team.
Email: careers@bishopfleming.co.uk
