Accountancy Summer Internship

Ready to discover your potential?

Are you looking to gain insight in Accounts, Audit and Corporate Tax? We’re seeking ambitious penultimate year university undergraduates from all backgrounds to join our team as a Summer Intern.

Who we welcome

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from all degree disciplines. We do not expect applicants to have any prior relevant work experience or be studying towards a specific degree.

About the internships

Our summer internships run for a period of six to eight weeks each summer, providing a valuable insight into the workings of Saffery.

You’ll be partnered with a dedicated mentor who will ensure your internship is both enjoyable and challenging.

Key dates to apply:

19 August 2025 – 7 September 2025

Start date:

June/July 2026, exact date to be confirmed. We recommend you remain free where possible across this time period.

We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment. Due to high volume, you may experience delays in the process but we will review all submissions fairly.

Your role and development

Your growth will incorporate an exciting blend of valuable work experience and real-world learning. We will where possible offer you a rotational placement, gaining exposure into multiple service lines.

Audit:

• You'll be taken through the various stages of an audit from planning to completion.
• Work on audit and accounts preparation assignments for clients across diverse industries.
• Learn how to conduct client reviews, audit testing, and financial analysis.
• There may be opportunities to visit client sites and see first-hand how relationships are built and managed.
• Progressively take on more responsibility, enabling you to understand the full audit cycle.

Accounts:

• You’ll be exposed to a range of key areas such as compliance.
• Work on year end compliance and accounts preparation assignments and ad-hoc advisory with an opportunity to work on project work also.
• Gain insight into a varied client base, ranging from sole traders, partnerships, limited companied, limited liability partnerships, trusts and smaller private charities.
• Progressively take on more responsibility, enabling you to understand core regulatory compliance work. There are many factors to consider when reviewing files and we’ll introduce you to these during your internship.

Corporate Tax:

• You’ll gain exposure to core areas within Corporate Tax, ranging from compliance to administrative matters.
• Work on corporation tax compliance, including preparation of corporation tax returns and computations, advising on payment dates and dealing with other administrative matters.
• You will gain exposure to clients from a range of different industries, so we guarantee an exciting and varied learning experienced throughout your internship!

We’ll support you every step of the way through mentorship, structured training, as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.

What you'll need

• 2:1 undergraduate degree (expected) in any discipline,
• A minimum of 120 UCAS points from your top 3 A Levels (or equivalent), excluding General Studies and AS Levels.
• A minimum of 6 (or B) in GCSE Maths and English Language (or equivalent).

Want to return to Saffery?

We really hope you enjoy your time with us and if all goes well, we’d love to welcome you back! You may receive an offer for a training contract once you finish university. The best part? No need to go through the application process again.

If you’re thinking about switching offices, you’d just need to have a quick interview with the new team.

When you return, we offer three year training contracts to help you become a qualified accountant or tax advisor, with full support for professional qualifications.

Where potential meets personal meets you

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values - those who are collaborative, enthusiastic, and act with integrity while always striving for excellence.

You’ll be approachable and committed, ready to take ownership and go the extra mile to deliver our signature service. You won’t hesitate to speak up when something could be better and you’ll help to make it happen. We value drive, focus, and a positive attitude.

Here, you’re never just a number. You’re valued for who you are. We want your personality and style to shine, because we believe in caring more and letting egos take a back seat. We work hard, we support each other, and we enjoy the journey together. You’ll thrive in a close-knit team that takes pride in delivering high quality work.

There’s real mutual respect here and a two-way relationship where we bring out the best in each other.

We’ll help you get to know our clients, but it’s even better if you’re already curious about the broader economic landscape they operate in. Do your research. Ask questions. Be inquisitive.

You’ll be surrounded by people who value you, your contributions, and your potential.

We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

What we’ll offer you

We believe that supporting our people leads to success, so we provide both core and flexible benefits tailored to your needs:

Financial support & flexibility

• Competitive salary & paid overtime
• Paid travel expenses if visiting clients

Work life balance & wellbeing

• Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home, we do encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of learning from your team and colleagues)
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources
• Access to Saffery Perkz - access to deals and discounts, wellbeing resources and more!

Personal development and belonging

• Mentorship & possible future training contract opportunities
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks for example Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Women

Who we are

Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

When you work with Saffery, the well-respected accountancy firm where heritage meets ambition, you work with people who know your name. Who know you as a human being, not just a job title. Everyone belongs here. Always.

Ready to start your journey?

Explore life at Saffery & apply today:

Life at Saffery

What to know before you apply

• Before submitting your application, take some time to familiarise yourself with our recruitment process by visiting How to apply - Saffery
• We also recommend practising psychometric tests and learning more about how to approach a face-to-face, competency-based interview. This will help you feel confident and prepared to show your best self.
• You can apply to just one of our programmes during each recruitment season. If your application isn’t successful this time, we’d love for you to try again when applications re-open next September for the following year.
• If you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances (such as bereavement, mental health challenges, or any other unforeseen situation), that may have impacted your academic performance, please reach out to us before you submit an application - EarlyCareersTalent@saffery.com.
• If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by including the details in the relevant section on the application form. We’re committed to assessing all applicants fairly and want to do everything we can to support your success throughout the process.
• If you are selected for an in-person interview, we will provide reimbursement for your travel expenses. More information on what we cover will be shared at this stage of the process.
• If you're offered a place at Saffery, we kindly recommend holding off on booking any annual leave around your expected start date. This helps ensure you don’t miss out on important training and onboarding sessions that will set you up for success.