Location: Farnham, Surrey (and some remote working)
Job Level: Trainee
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £20,000 – £32,000 (depending on prior experience and qualifications) *

What you can expect at Caldwell Penn

Welcome to Caldwell Penn. We would love you to join us. We are a forward looking, proactive firm of accountants, using advanced technology to help our clients turn their business aims and objectives into a reality.

By joining the Caldwell Penn team you will:

• be made to feel welcome from the outset
• become part of a professional, happy and caring environment and made to feel a part of the family
• be rewarded fairly and recognised for your efforts and contribution
• gain valuable experience
• be valued and have your opinions listened to
• enjoy the flexibility which contributes to a healthy work – life balance
• be trained in our modern approach to accountancy and forward-thinking systems and processes
• be challenged to become the best version of yourself
• be encouraged to learn, develop, grow and succeed
• be supported in your career development

Despite all the technology we use (and we use a lot), first and foremost we are a people business. With our team being the engine for growth, we work hard to attract the best talent and to empower them with challenging and fulfilling work. We are a high-energy organisation with ambitious growth plans. It is in our interest to create an environment where people can thrive so we can all make a meaningful impact on the business.

As a Client Finance Assistant, you will be working as part of one of our client Pods, completing compliance work for a portfolio of clients. Your Pod will comprise of other Client Finance Assistants, a Client Finance Manager and a Client Finance Partner.

What you’ll be doing

• Assisting with the work on the clients within your Pod, you will be involved in the delivery of compliance services including
  – Daily, weekly or monthly bookkeeping using primarily Xero (but also other) Accounting software
  – Maintaining client records
  – Monthly reporting and management accounts
  – VAT returns
  – Statutory Accounts
  – Corporation Tax
  – Payroll
  – Personal Tax
  – Company Secretarial
  – Assisting with providing a finance function
  – Responding to queries
  – Assisting with other projects as required
• As you gain experience, you will become a key contact point for a sub-set of clients
• As workloads dictate, you will also undertake work from other Pods
• You will also be involved in undertaking audit work for the firm’s audit clients

At Caldwell Penn we focus on output rather than hours, so you will be expected to take responsibility for your workload and ensure all work is completed efficiently, in advance of deadlines and to the highest standard.

This role provides ample opportunity to develop your client facing skills and provide a key service to our clients – supporting them and helping them to concentrate on running their businesses

Learn and grow at Caldwell Penn. Your professional development is important to us

What we offer:

• Excellent salary (£20,000-£32,000 matched to experience) *
• 28 days’ holiday inclusive of bank holidays, increasing by one day per year
• Birthday day off
• Generous sick leave policy
• Dress for your day
• Workplace pension scheme
• Private medical cover (after 2 years’ service)
• Life assurance (4 times salary)
• Staff Perks App with retail and cinema discounts, Cycle to work scheme, Employee Assistance Programme and much more
• Flexible hybrid working (mixture of in office and working from home) **
• Supportive environment where you can flourish and fulfil your career potential

* The salary range reflects the different levels within our team and salary offered will match the experience of the individual applying.
** The role will be office based for your probationary period and until we have determined that you have a suitable home working setup.

About you. We’re looking for someone:

• With a minimum of 1 year’s work experience in an Accountancy firm
• Who has started their AAT/ACA/ACCA studies
• With a keen and demonstrable interest in completing your ACA/ACCA qualification via a level 7 apprenticeship
• With good A-levels (minimum BBB) or equivalent
• With a positive attitude, who loves problem solving and working as part of a growing and successful team
• Who is keen to learn and able to pick up new skills quickly
• Who has strong computer skills, including significant experience in Excel
• With experience using Xero
• Who has experience in bookkeeping, VAT returns & year-end accounts preparation
• With excellent client service skills, including the ability to build trust and rapport quickly
• With fantastic attention to detail, who hates making mistakes and is keen to produce work to the highest standards
• With great organisation skills, including the ability to prioritise a varied and changing workload
• With a passion and desire to make a difference – we want you to be a Leader of the future for Caldwell Penn

In addition, you must:

• Be a UK or EU citizen or possess a current UK Tier 1 Visa, eligible to take up full time, permanent employment in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any form of visa sponsorship
• Live within a reasonable commute of our Farnham office
• Have excellent spoken and written English

We encourage you to apply for a role at Caldwell Penn even if you don’t meet 100% of the above criteria.

We believe in cultivating an environment where there is a diversity of perspectives.

Location and working hours

• The position is full-time, with flexible working around Caldwell Penn’s core hours of 10am-4pm.
• The role is based in our Farnham office, however after probation you will be permitted to work remotely part of the time if you wish, subject to agreement with your line manager. This flexibility will increase as you gain more experience, independence and progress up through the firm.
• Whilst, in due course, you have the freedom of remote working, we don’t want you to feel remote. Right from the start, you’ll feel connected to the team here at Caldwell Penn through a series of online and in-person events that will help you build the relationships and get the support you need to thrive in your role.

Applying for the role

Please send your CV to office@caldwellpenn.com together with brief details of why you feel you will be suitable for the role and your salary expectations.

Please also confirm that you:

• Are an EU citizen or possess a current UK Tier 1 Visa and be eligible to take up full time, permanent employment in the UK. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any form of visa sponsorship;
• Live within a reasonable commute of our Farnham office;
• Have excellent spoken and written English.