Graduates

You will need to have achieved a minimum of 120 UCAS points (300 points under the old UCAS system) and a predicted or achieved degree classification of 2:1 in any discipline to apply.

Applications for our ACA Graduate Programme open each year in September (to start in March) & February (to start in August).

Apply via our website using the Apply Now buttons.

Our application process is in 4 stages:

Stage 1: Online application form. You’ll start the application process by completing our online application form. This helps us get to know you and provides you with the opportunity to tell us why a career in accountancy appeals to you.

Stage 2: Online Assessments. If you are shortlisted and have met our academic requirements you will be invited to take an initial numerical reasoning test (NRT). Upon successful completion, you will be invited to sit a verbal reasoning test (VRT) and a critical reasoning test (CRT).

Stage 3: HR Interview. Candidates who successfully complete our assessments will be contacted and invited to an interview by one of our HR team. The interview is conducted by our Senior HR Advisor or HR Manager and held virtually via Microsoft Teams. It will take approximately 45 minutes and will explore your interest in completing the ACA qualification and accountancy in general. We will also ask you some competency based interview questions. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, so please do! This is a chance for you to learn more about our graduate programme.

Stage 4: Final Interview. You may be invited back to our final stage interview where you will meet a partner or director. This is your chance to impress. They will want to hear about your career aspirations, the skills you can bring to Dixon Wilson and your understanding of the commitment required to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

You will also get the chance to meet one of our current ACA trainees. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get a real understanding of our ACA graduate programme & culture at Dixon Wilson.

If you are successful one of our HR team will contact you with an offer to join us.

Support needed?

If you need to request an adjustment or additional support in the recruitment process due to a disability, health condition and/or being neurodivergent, you just need to let our HR team know. They will ask you some questions to better understand your request and to ensure we provide personalised support.

We have two intakes each year, joining us in March or August. Typically, we employ 10-14 trainees per intake. Joining us as part of a cohort of 10-14 trainees means there is a strong sense of community, one where invaluable support from a peer is always on hand.

Aside from our minimum academic requirements and online assessment results, you must be committed to succeed in your examinations. We look for candidates who want to learn, are curious and enjoy problem solving; are adaptable when exposed to new situations and scenarios; enjoy working with others, and have the aptitude to deliver a first-class professional service to our clients.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales requires students to undertake three levels of formal examinations, the Certificate Stage, Professional Stage and Advanced Stage.

At Dixon Wilson, our trainees follow the ‘Pillar Approach’ pathway where the Certificate level papers are linked with the appropriate Professional level papers. This means that trainees sit 2 papers at a time (2 Certificate, followed by 2 Professional). Trainees then sit the Advanced level papers in their third and final year. We believe this approach fits together well with the practical experiences our trainees gain over the training contract whilst working in the office. The list below shows a typical order of the subjects you will study:

Year 1

• Accounting – Certificate level
• Assurance – Certificate level
• Financial Accounting & Reporting – Professional level
• Audit & Assurance – Professional level

Year 2 (First half)

• Principles of Taxation – Certificate level
• Management information – Certificate level
• Tax Compliance – Professional level
• Financial Management – Professional level

Year 2 (Second half)

• Law – Certificate level
• Business & Finance – Certificate level
• Business Planning Tax – Professional level
• Business Strategy – Professional level

Year 3

• Corporate Reporting – Advanced level
• Advanced Case Study – Advanced level
• Strategic Business Management – Advanced level

The amount of commitment and home study required should not be underestimated, especially after a full day’s work. Study time will depend on what level of exams you have coming up and will naturally increase the closer you get to each exam. For higher level exams up to 15 hours a week may be required. Assistance and encouragement is always available from your colleagues.

You will benefit from a comprehensive training programme taught by leading commercial tutors, which is designed to enable our trainees to pass the examinations first time.

In addition, we have a unique in-house training programme which is designed to develop your client work and technical abilities as well as personal and professional skills. These are delivered by both internal and external specialist tutors.

As a graduate on our ACA training programme you will be paid a competitive starting salary. You will also receive a settling-in allowance, payable in the first month of employment, to help with any costs associated with moving or starting a new job.

Our trainee salary progression framework is clear and transparent and rewards you based on successful completion of examinations. We hope that by knowing this ahead of time it’s not only motivating but also aids your financial planning. Going above and beyond in your work and applying advanced technical skills and knowledge is rewarded via our ‘Excel’ recognition scheme.

The London office working hours are Monday-Friday, from 9am to 5pm with an hour for lunch. Our trainees may be required to work overtime and this is paid at the relevant hourly rate. Excessive overtime is discouraged because of the need to prepare for examinations.

Benefits include:

• Paid overtime
• 21 days holiday in addition to statutory bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Paid time off to attend college, study and sit exams
• Discretionary end of year bonus, typically paid in December
• Season ticket loan
• 2 days per year to participate in volunteering initiatives
• Support with life’s challenges – Employee Assistance Programme and bereavement counselling
• Client referral bonuses
• Employee referral bonuses

Further perks consist of:

• Daily fresh fruit delivery for staff
• Drinks and snacks available throughout the day (donation asked for)
• 4pm finish on a Friday ahead of a bank holiday Monday
• Dinner is on us if you need to work past 7pm, via Deliveroo
• Wide range of social activities throughout the year

At the end of your three year programme, provided you have passed your exams, you will qualify as a Chartered Accountant. That’s quite an achievement.

You may be offered the opportunity to continue your career with as a Supervisor, taking responsibility for your own portfolio of work and managing trainees. Thereafter our career progression & salary pathway from Supervisor to Partner is clear.

We encourage newly qualified accountants to consider gaining additional qualifications to achieve membership of other professional bodies, such as the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) or the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Outside of client work there are plenty of opportunities to further develop your skills. Become a software superuser, knowledge share lead, work on our website and social media or be a mentor or trainee co-ordinator.

Any employment offers are subject to an applicant providing the necessary right to work documents that demonstrate the right to work and reside legally in the United Kingdom (UK). We do not currently provide sponsorship for this level of role and therefore we’re unable to accept applications from candidates requiring visa sponsorship.

We want to make sure you have all the information you need. If you have any questions we haven’t answered here you can get in touch by e-mailing us at careers@dixonwilson.co.uk