Audit AAT Apprenticeship
James Cowper Kreston
Newbury, Oxford, Reading
Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026
Posted on 1 December 2025
Contents
Summary
If university isn’t the right choice for you and you have a genuine interest in accountancy and finance, we are offering a three-year apprenticeship to achieve the AAT accounting qualification (Level 3 & 4). The role will involve preparing audit documentation and carrying out basic audit tests as part of a team.
- Wage
-
£23,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
We have a set salary progression ladder with a pay rise approximately every 12 months. By the time you complete your apprenticeship, your salary will have increased to £31,500.
- Training course
- Professional accounting technician (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm.
38 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 24 August 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
3
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Prepare audit planning documentation for review by the supervisor and to carry out internal control, system and walkthrough tests
- Carrying out basic audit tests as part of a team in relation to other statutory and non-statutory audits and due diligence work
- Attend simple stock takes
- Build trusted relationships with clients, liaising with them to answer general queries
Where you'll work
You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is available in these locations:
- 2 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, Newbury, RG19 6AB
- Pine Lodge, 201 Cumnor Hill, Oxford, OX2 9PJ
- Apex Plaza, Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 1AX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
FIRST INTUITION READING LIMITED
Training course
Professional accounting technician (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Collate and analyse financial information, and show how that information can be used most effectively to support value creation within an organisation.
- Apply accounting principles and adhere to legislation to ensure records are accurate and compliant with law or company policy when delivering accounting activities, such as the financial accounting of single entities, limited companies or partnerships or management accounting activities for an organisation.
- Apply professional scepticism when undertaking accounting activities to inform and evaluate decision making on the content of true and fair accounts, being alert to conditions that may indicate possible misstatement of financial information due to error or fraud, establishing the facts sensitively and being aware of unconscious bias.
- Interpret financial information for accounting purposes, such as using judgement to determine the correct way to report or account for transaction or undertaking ratio analysis.
- Participate in or support others with quality improvement activities, for example the improvement of personal working practices.
- Use software packages to assist with accounting tasks in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
- Deliver accounting tasks with a critical eye to transactions and trends, demonstrating a ‘right first time approach’.
- Use workload management principles to plan, organise and prioritise own tasks, and manage time effectively.
- Use accounting information to add value to the organisation through use of data visualisations, analysis and interpretation, and communicate financial information in a way that facilitates understanding for non-finance stakeholders.
- Communicate accounting information through a variety of media to enable key stakeholders to understand what is required, considering the risks and benefits to the organisation of social media and other digital applications.
- Build and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver accounting tasks, recognising the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Collate and analyse financial information, and show how that information can be used most effectively to support value creation within an organisation.
- Apply accounting principles and adhere to legislation to ensure records are accurate and compliant with law or company policy when delivering accounting activities, such as the financial accounting of single entities, limited companies or partnerships or management accounting activities for an organisation.
- Apply professional scepticism when undertaking accounting activities to inform and evaluate decision making on the content of true and fair accounts, being alert to conditions that may indicate possible misstatement of financial information due to error or fraud, establishing the facts sensitively and being aware of unconscious bias.
- Interpret financial information for accounting purposes, such as using judgement to determine the correct way to report or account for transaction or undertaking ratio analysis.
- Participate in or support others with quality improvement activities, for example the improvement of personal working practices.
- Use software packages to assist with accounting tasks in line with cyber and data security requirements, using data securely and safely, including backing up data.
- Deliver accounting tasks with a critical eye to transactions and trends, demonstrating a ‘right first time approach’.
- Use workload management principles to plan, organise and prioritise own tasks, and manage time effectively.
- Use accounting information to add value to the organisation through use of data visualisations, analysis and interpretation, and communicate financial information in a way that facilitates understanding for non-finance stakeholders.
- Communicate accounting information through a variety of media to enable key stakeholders to understand what is required, considering the risks and benefits to the organisation of social media and other digital applications.
- Build and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver accounting tasks, recognising the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Training schedule
- Professional Accounting or Taxation Technician Level 4 Apprenticeship Standard
- You will become AAT qualified
- Training will be a mix of classroom based courses and self-study
- Classroom sessions will be block release and generally take place be at our training provider's premises in central Reading
More training information
Please note that for our August 2026 intake apprenticeship opportunities are available in our Reading, Newbury and Oxford offices, but not Southampton or London
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English Language (grade Grade 4 or higher)
- Maths (grade Grade 4 or higher)
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Resilience
Other requirements
Working in Audit you must have a full UK driving licence and access to a car. This is because, although you will have a base office, you will regularly need to travel to other James Cowper Kreston offices and to client sites, not all of which are easily accessible by public transport.
About this employer
James Cowper Kreston is a leading firm of accountants and business advisers, with offices in Newbury, Reading, Oxford, Southampton and London. We are passionate about enabling our clients and staff to maximise their potential, meaning that we approach everyone as an individual, not with a pre-set script. For over 100 years we have been working with clients, not just as accountants ensuring audit, accounts and tax compliance, but as an integral part of their team offering a full range of advisory services, working with them to unlock and maximise available opportunities. With over 200 staff we have a strong team ethic but always recognise the individual contributions to the team’s performance. That’s why we make a great investment in individual career development and help you maximise your potential. As a result, you can be assured that you will receive all the support and encouragement you need from us to kick-start an exciting career in taxation. So why not start your career with James Cowper Kreston?
https://www.jamescowperkreston.co.uk/school-leavers/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Paid time off for study, college and exams / 23 days annual holiday, plus birthday as extra day off / flexible benefits scheme including cycle to work, dental insurance, holiday buy / health cash plan to reimburse minor medical costs.
After this apprenticeship
- After achieving the AAT qualifcation you can go on to study either the ACA or ACCA qualification
- Plus progression to Audit Senior, then Manager and potentially follow a route all the way to becoming a Partner in the firm
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
FIRST INTUITION READING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000003208.
Apply now
Closes on Thursday 30 April 2026
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