School Leaver CFAB Trainee - Your Accounting Career Starts Here in London’s West End - Goodman Jones LLP : Job Details

Stepping into the World of Work Can Feel Daunting - We Get It!

Choosing where to start your career is a big decision, and we know it can feel overwhelming to enter the professional world for the first time. At Goodman Jones LLP, we’re here to guide and support you, providing real, hands-on experience while also ensuring you have the time and resources to pass your six CFAB exams.

You don’t need a degree to have a successful career in accountancy—just ambition, curiosity, and the right firm to support you.

What Your Two Years Will Look Like

The two-year ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting & Business training programme is designed to give you real-world experience while studying for your ICAEW CFAB qualification (the start to being an accountant).

In Year 1, you’ll start by learning the basics and getting to know your team members. Your introduction to accounting will be structured and delivered by our team and First Intuition College, where you’ll attend alongside your fellow trainees.

After your first 12 months, you’ll be confident in double-entry bookkeeping, Trial Balances (TBs), preparing accounts for companies, partnerships, individuals, and charities, and handling VAT return submissions, company accounts, and corporation tax returns.

In Year 2, you’ll gain more independence, supporting new CFAB trainees and working with larger businesses and international clients. You’ll take on more complex accounts, VAT returns, and direct client communication, building the experience needed for the next stage of your career.

Once you’ve completed your six exams and two years of experience, we hope you’ll have caught the accounting bug! You’ll join our ACA trainees, continuing your studies and transitioning into an Audit-focused role, setting you up for a long-term career at Goodman Jones LLP.

Who Are Goodman Jones LLP?

We’re a Top 60 Accountancy Practice, based in the heart of London’s West End for over 90 years. We’re proud of our independence, strong reputation, and supportive culture. Many of our 13 Partners started as trainees and now lead a diverse team of 80+ professionals across audit, accounts, tax, and payroll.

Want to get a feel for life at Goodman Jones LLP? Check out our social media channels!

The Bits We Think You’ll Want to Know…

• Full ICAEW CFAB Study Support with college day release - We cover all tuition fees, exam costs, and professional subscriptions.
• 6 weeks paid study leave - Dedicated time off to focus on passing your exams.
• Hybrid working - 3 days in the office, 2 days at home (if you want it - many of our team love coming in every day!).
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) - More than the industry standard.
• 35-hour workweek - We respect personal time and well-being.
• A supportive team environment - Work alongside experienced professionals who want to see you succeed.
• Starting salary: £25,000, increasing as you go through your 2 years.

Applications close Friday 28th March 2025 at 5pm

• You will need to apply using your CV and include a cover letter, we would love to know:

- Why you are interested in a career in pursuing the CFAB

- Something interesting about you

- Where you spotted the job advertised.

The Interviews & Key Dates

We know this bit might seem daunting, and we know you may not have done many interviews before—don’t panic! We take nerves into account and will send you preparation materials and support you every step of the way.

Potential CFAB trainees go through a 3-stage interview process, including some online skills assessments during the process.

• First Interview (w/c 14th April 2025) - A chat with Michelle from our Talent Team.
• Second Stage (w/c 21st April 2025) - Interview with our Audit Team.
• Final Stage (w/c 5th May 2025) - Meeting with Giuseppe, our Head of Audit.
• Offers made in early May - No long waiting times; we’ll get back to you quickly.
• June & July Meet & Greet Events - Come to the office, meet the team, and get to know the other CFAB trainees before you start.
• Start Date: 21st August 2025 - Your accountancy career begins!

Who We’re Looking For

We’re excited to hear from A-Level students who want to start their career in accountancy—no degree required! Although it might seem a bit needy, here are a few things we need you to have to be our type on paper…

• A-Levels (or equivalent) with a minimum of 120 UCAS points.
• Strong numeracy and analytical skills - You’ll be working with financial data every day!
• A logical, problem-solving mindset - We love curiosity and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills - You’ll be interacting with clients and colleagues daily.
• Time management and organisation - Ability to juggle work, study, and deadlines.
• IT confident - Comfortable with Excel, Word, and excited to learn new accounting software.
• A positive, can-do attitude - Willingness to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment.

These aren’t essential but are nice to have:

• A strong academic background in Maths, Economics, Business Studies, or Accounting.
• Any previous office experience—even a short internship or work experience. (And if it’s within an accounting or finance-related role, our Recruiter Michelle might even do a little happy dance at her desk!)

Everyone who applies will receive a response with the outcome of their application on or before Friday 4th April 2025

Diversity & Inclusion at Goodman Jones LLP

At Goodman Jones LLP, we believe that diverse teams bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.