Audit Trainee, Southampton, September 2026

Azets Group; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading accountancy firm in Southampton is seeking an Audit Trainee starting September 2026. This position focuses on developing auditing skills through hands-on experience and mentorship. Responsibilities include attending audit planning meetings, performing audit tests, and collaborating with clients. The ideal candidate should possess strong GCSE qualifications and the right to work in the UK. The company offers fully funded qualifications, flexible working, and a dynamic work culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing.

Benefits

Fully funded qualifications

Mentoring and buddy support

24/7 GP access

Flexible working options

Community volunteering days

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK from your start date.
• This role is not suitable if you are studying for, or hold, an undergraduate or master's degree.

Responsibilities

• Attend internal audit planning meetings.
• Work with clients to understand their processes.
• Perform regular audit testing for financial statements.
• Verify physical assets during client stock counts.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Level 4+ GCSE English & Maths

Minimum of 96 UCAS points

4 Highers grade B or above in Scotland

Job description

Audit Trainee – Start Date: September 2026

You’ll be supported from day one, learning from experienced colleagues while gaining hands‑on experience.

What you’ll need

• Right to work in the UK from your start date.
• England & Wales: Level 4+ GCSE English & Maths.
• Minimum of 96 UCAS points.
• Scotland: 4 Highers, grade B or above, including English & Maths.
• Note: this role is not suitable if you are currently studying for, or already hold, an undergraduate or master’s degree.

Why Azets Early Careers?

• Learning Opportunities: First‑class training plus support to complete your qualification, study days, mentoring, and buddy support.
• Supportive Network: Managers and peer network creating a collaborative, encouraging environment.
• Fun & Dynamic Culture: Social engagement, community involvement, and exciting work experiences.

Joining our Audit & Assurance team

What does an Audit Associate do? Our Audit & Assurance department is the largest of our service offerings at Azets, with many clients of varying sizes across a broad range of industries. The service we provide has a meaningful impact not only on our clients and the communities we serve, but also the wider business and audit community.

As an Audit Associate, you will play a key part in the success of our Audit & Assurance department. This will begin with you building your auditing skills and knowledge by providing assistance on statutory audits, which will involve applying your expanding technical knowledge to real life scenarios, problem solving, analysing data and presenting your findings.

Role

This role will involve a combination of working in the local office and at client premises. Collaboration with fellow associates, audit seniors, managers and partners will be an essential part of your role. The tasks you can expect to work on with the team will evolve and develop over time, but in the first year of your role you can expect to be involved in the following:

Your responsibilities

• Attending internal audit planning meetings
• Working with clients to gain an understanding of their business and internal processes to aid planning for audit testing
• Performing regular audit testing to provide assurance over financial statements
• Working with clients to obtain specific audit evidence required
• Using our audit technologies to analyse client financial information, checking for areas of risk and error
• Attending client stock counts to verify physical assets
• Reviewing financial statements prepared either by the client or Azets team
• Communicating regularly and effectively with clients, both in person and virtually
• Sending queries to clients to provide evidence of amounts and reconciling them with expectations
• Scheduling regular catch‑ups with both the client and your team to ensure you are working towards the audit signing deadline
• Communicating with your seniors when there is a difference between evidence provided by the client and data stated on the financial statement

Qualifications

The qualification that will be undertaken for this position will be the AAT.

Inclusion & Accessibility

We are proud to be a Mindful Employer and Disability Confident Employer. Creating an inclusive workplace isn’t just a statement – it’s something we live every day. At Azets, we value diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Even if your experience doesn’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you – you might be a great fit for another opportunity.

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Our Benefits for Early Careers

Everything you need to grow your skills, feel supported, and enjoy life while you train.

Study Support & Exams

Fully funded qualifications, paid study leave and exam fees, plus mentoring and a dedicated buddy to support you through training.

Wellbeing & Support

24/7 GP access, mental health support, Employee Assistance Programme, and a friendly, inclusive workplace culture that puts people first.

Life Outside Work

Flexible and hybrid working, time off on your birthday, holiday purchase scheme, discounts and perks platform, and community volunteering days.

Career Progression

Clear career pathways, structured training plans, mentoring from experienced colleagues, and real responsibility from day one.

FlexHub: Customise your benefits package to suit your needs – from health plans to lifestyle perks.

Move forward with confidence.

At Azets, our purpose is to improve the lives of our clients, colleagues and communities, in a sustainable way.

Company Highlights

• 4000+ Colleagues – A people‑powered business across the UK.
• 70 Locations – Locally embedded with national strength.
• Top 10 UK Firm – Recognised as a leading accountancy firm.
• 80,000+ Clients – With a local touch in every community.

Curious about life at Azets? Meet our people.