Job Description
Are you a proactive and ambitious individual who has a strong interest in building a career in accounting and finance? McPhersons LTD is looking for a Level 3 Assistant Accountant who has the desire to develop their skills further and join their small accountancy practice as a trainee accountant.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone to build their skills and experience under the direct supervision of the company director and would receive extensive on-the-job training as well as support through an appropriate study package.
What you will gain
- Practical, hands-on experience within a professional finance environment.
- Support and development opportunities towards achieving relevant finance qualifications.
- Build confidence and resilience while working under pressure in a dynamic, high-volume setting.
- Work as part of a friendly, collaborative, and supportive team.
Key Responsibilities
- Bookkeeping: Processing day-to-day income, expense and cash book entries; reconciling bank and supplier statements; managing sales and purchase ledgers and other control accounts.
- Software Management: Processing client records accurately using QuickBooks, Xero and other
- accountancy software.
- VAT returns: Preparing VAT returns from bookkeeping records.
- Payroll: Processing weekly, four-weekly and monthly payrolls.
- Financial Reporting: Helping prepare both management and statutory accounts for a range of -sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
- Tax Return Compliance: Helping prepare personal and business tax returns.
- Record-keeping: Compiling paper and/or electronic files of working papers to ensure a robust paper trail for all financial statements, tax returns, etc.
- Administrative Support: Assisting with general office administration including meeting and
- greeting clients, filing, responding to emails, answering the phone, and supporting the team to meet client expectations and deadlines as required.
- Continuous Study: Actively pursuing a recognised professional accounting qualification, balancing work duties with study requirements and making timely and consistent progress in formal studies.
Who you will be
- Someone who is Ambitious, driven and enthusiastic
- Someone who flexible and collaborative with a willingness to embrace change and the ability to adapt to new ways of working
- Someone who can work independently, take responsibility and be proactive
- Someone with the willingness to contribute outside the scope of their role, to support their colleagues and the business.
- Someone with the ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritise conflicting and demanding deadlines
- Someone who acts with honesty, openness and with integrity at all times.
Key Skills
- Attention to detail
- Organised
- Punctual
- Inclusive
- Reliable
- Friendly
- Excellent organisation
- Proactive
- High attention to detail
- Strong IT skills
- Ability to multitask
- Excellent communication
- Good telephone etiquette
Working Week: Office hours, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Ideally, seven hours per day for three days (9am to 5pm with an hour for lunch) plus three hours one day (9am to 12pm). Six hours per day for four days will also be considered.
Salary: From £21,000
Qualifications: 100+A-Level (or equivalent), ideally including Maths, Business Studies or Finance; plus GCSE Maths and English at grade 6 or above.
Future Prospects: On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the possibility to continue with the next stage of accountancy training, either AAT or possibly ACCA will be considered.
About the employer: McPhersons Ltd is a small accountancy practice dealing mainly with local owner/family-managed businesses and individuals with investment and/or rental income. The apprentice would be part of a very small team working under the direct supervision of the company director (ACCA qualified). The office has a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, while still being peaceful and quiet.
What you need to know
- Candidates who are looking to work towards their AAT2 may be considered if completed A-Level (or equivalent), Maths, Business Studies or Finance; plus GCSE Maths and English, grade 6 or above, AAT4 candidates may also be considered for this role.
- This is a 18-month apprenticeship
- This role is office based with some attendance at Brighton Met East as required.
- The role will start on successful recruitment, and the apprenticeship course will begin in October 2026
- Applicants MUST BE resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to the start of learning and have work authorisation for the UK.
- Applicants WILL NOT BE eligible to apply if they have already achieved a qualification which is equal to or higher thank the apprenticeship standard on offer.
- Applicants MUST BE resident in the area local to the apprenticeship opportunity or be prepared to relocate in time to start employment and study.
- Applicants MUST BE committed to the learning and stay to the end of the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage (ANMW): The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour (As of the 1st April 2026). This is the legal minimum pay per hour applying to 16- to 18-year-old apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. For apprentices 19 or over who have completed their first year and are continuing their apprenticeship, the National Minimum Wage appropriate to their ages applies.
Pay: £21,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Brighton BN1 4ST: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Why are you interested in applying for this apprenticeship role?
- What are your future ambitions?
Education:
- A-Level or equivalent (preferred)
Location:
- Brighton BN1 4ST (preferred)
Work Location: In person
