Non-Graduate Opportunities

If university isn’t, or wasn’t, the right choice for you, then our Non-Graduate Apprenticeship Programme offers a practical and exciting alternative to kick-start a career in accountancy.

You’ll benefit from:

A competitive salary
Full support to achieve a professional qualification
Hands-on experience across a variety of client work
Opportunities to build technical expertise and professional skills

This is an opportunity not only to build your skills and confidence, but to build an exceptional career with one of the Thames Valley and Southern Region’s leading accountancy and business advisory firms.

What you'll do & Where it can take you

Our three-year apprenticeship programme offers a dynamic blend of on-the-job learning and structured classroom-based training, leading to either the AAT (Accounting) or ATT (Tax) qualification.

Delivered under a Level 4 Apprenticeship, your training will cover:

Core technical knowledge in accounting or tax
Personal, management, and commercial skills
Real-world experience that helps you become a well-rounded professional

We typically offer non-graduate apprenticeship opportunities in the following areas:

Audit (AAT) – Investigate whether a business’s financial statements are true, fair, and accurate. You’ll get to know clients deeply and provide insight, advice, and expertise to help them succeed.
Business Tax (ATT) – Help companies calculate their tax liabilities and meet HMRC reporting obligations. You’ll also provide strategic tax advice to minimise exposure and support business growth.
Private Client Services (ATT) – Working with individuals to meet their annual tax filing requirements and minimise their liabilities, as well as advising on a wide variety of tax matters at all different stages of life.

Once you have completed your AAT or ATT qualification you'll have the opportunity to continue your studies with the ACA, ACCA or CTA qualification. You may even be eligible for exemptions from some of those higher-level exams because of your previous studies.

Audit & Assurance

Business Tax

Private Client Services

What we offer

We will support you every step of the way of your qualification journey with a comprehensive package that includes:

A competitive starting salary (£23,000)
Full study support, including all exam fees and paid study leave
23 days annual leave, plus your birthday off to celebrate
Pension scheme to help you plan for the future
Flexible benefits scheme including Cycle to Work, dental insurance, life assurance and free flu jabs.

Your wellbeing is our top priority, so you’ll also benefit from:

A dedicated buddy and line manager to guide and support you
Agile working
Mental Health First Aiders in all offices
Active social committee organising regular events
Pizza lunch on the last working day of each month

What we are looking for

You do not need to have studied accounting, maths or business to join our apprenticeship scheme. Whatever your subject, you’ll bring valuable knowledge and transferable skills and we welcome that diversity.

To be eligible for our school leaver apprenticeship programme, you’ll need to meet the following academic criteria:

At least 112 UCAS points from your top 3 A-level (or equivalent) grades (based on the 2017 Tariff; excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking & Extended Project)
Minimum Grade 4 in GSCE Maths and English Language

Your application will not be based on academic qualifications alone and you will also need to show:

A genuine interest in accountancy and finance
Enthusiasm to learn and grow professionally
A strong work ethic
An enquiring mind
Effective communication skills
Resilience and the ability to adapt to challenges
Strong teamwork skills
Full UK driving licence
The right to work in the UK for the full duration of your apprenticeship

Key Dates

Applications for our non-graduate apprenticeship programme are currently closed and will reopen in late 2025 for our August 2026 intake.

How to apply

Ready to take the next step? Here’s what our Non-Graduate application process involves:

1. Upload Your CV
Submit your CV via our online portal, including your academic achievements, work experience, and anything else you feel is relevant.

2. Short Application Form
If your CV meets our key criteria, you’ll receive a brief application form to provide further details about your background and motivations.

3. CV Screening
Our team will review your CV and application form together. If you’re a strong match, you’ll move to the next stage.

4. Eligibility Call
Successful applicants will be invited to a short call to confirm key details and answer any initial questions.

5. Assessment Day
If you progress past the call, you’ll be invited to our Assessment Day, where you’ll take part in various activities, both individually and in groups, to help us get to know you and for you to learn more about us.

6. Offer to Join Our Non-Graduate Intake
Impress us at the Assessment Day and you’ll receive an invitation to join our next Non-Graduate intake, starting in August 2026.

To begin your application, simply use the links above to visit the page for the team you’re interested in joining, for example, Audit & Assurance or Business Tax, and click the ‘Apply Now’ button.

Please note our application process is delivered in partnership with Sanctuary Graduates.

FAQs

Here you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about our Graduate and School Leaver programmes. Whether you're wondering about which offices offer apprenticeships, Right to Work requirements, or specific application details, we've got you covered.

Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employer 2025

We are delighted to be recognised as one of the nation’s leading SME employers for early careers, ranking 8th in the Department for Education and RateMyApprenticeship’s Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers 2025 list. It’s fantastic to see our dedication to delivering high-quality training and development programmes reflected in this year’s rankings. We’re proud to stand alongside outstanding organisations from a wide range of sectors across the country.

The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025

We're proud to be recognised in The Sunday Times Top 100 Employers for 2025, celebrating organisations across the UK that are leading the way in early careers development. This recognition highlights our commitment to creating new opportunities, supporting a diverse range of learners, and helping individuals successfully complete their training and development programmes. The prestigious annual rankings are entirely data-driven and compiled by High Fliers Research, who independently assess and rank the country’s top employers on behalf of The Sunday Times.

I am currently working as a semi-senior in the Audit & Assurance department at James Cowper Kreston. Alongside this I am completing my level 3 AAT and will be shortly moving on to my Level 4 AAT, which helps me put into practice what I have learnt at college into my day-to-day job. The firm will support me in doing my ACCA, this will help me achieve one of my goals which is to become fully qualified. Since starting at James Cowper, I have learnt lots of new skills and due to working on different jobs I’ve learnt about companies, Charities, Academies, LLPs, and Farming Audits. I like how fast pace the job is as it keeps me engaged and there is always something to do. Everyone at James Cowper Kreston have been supportive and welcoming. They are always there to answer questions and will point you in the right direction.
Lana Landauro - Trainee Accountant
I joined James Cowper Kreston as an apprentice straight from sixth form, working in the Outsourcing team. Having been working for James Cowper Kreston for a little over a year, I feel reassured that I am in the right place, as the people around me have shown their passion in helping with my career progression. The firm have given me a chance to gain valuable skills that would have been unattainable without the constructive training programme that they provide. My team have been incredibly supportive from the day I arrived and this has helped me self-develop in both my studies and day-to-day client work. The opportunity to work with multiple clients means I am constantly facing new challenges and continuously learning new skills, which I would have never thought I’d be doing so early on in my career.
Cameron Langley - Trainee Bookkeeper
After leaving school, I joined James Cowper Kreston as a Trainee Accountant. This was a great way to kickstart my career in accounting. The firm has been a great place to work, with an amazing training programme and a very supportive team. I have gained great experience from dealing with and meeting different clients which has been a side to my job I have enjoyed. The knowledge I have gained from the training and learning during this apprenticeship has allowed me to apply this on a day to day basic within the workplace. There is a great level of support within my team and from my line manager who is always there to guide me.
Max Clift - Trainee Accountant