Pensions Audit School Leaver Programme

Grant Thornton UK LLP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading audit and advisory firm in Manchester is offering a Pensions Audit School Leaver Programme starting Autumn 2026. This structured five-year programme provides hands-on experience while pursuing professional qualifications like CFAB and ACA. Candidates should possess a curious mindset and effective communication skills, with a focus on contributing ideas and growth. The position includes a competitive salary and benefits such as fully funded qualifications and a supportive network as part of the learning process.

Benefits

Fully funded professional qualification

Technology for learning

Dedicated support network

Exclusive discounts

Opportunities for volunteering

Qualifications

• Flexible academic entry requirements.
• Willingness to contribute and spark ideas.
• Motivated to grow personally and professionally.

Responsibilities

• Work with various pension schemes, gaining diverse insights.
• Perform audits, review financial statements, and ensure accurate reports.
• Analyze funding positions and assess internal controls.
• Utilize data to identify trends and support findings.
• Continuously learn and develop professional judgment.
• Study with dedicated time and team support.

Skills

Curiosity

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Effective communication

Self-leadership

Career-oriented mindset

Job description

Pensions Audit School Leaver Programme (Autumn 2026) - Manchester

At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.

With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.

Job Description:

Real responsibility. Real impact. Right from the start.

Auditors are investigators, problem-solvers, and trusted advisers. They dive deep into how businesses operate, ensuring the numbers tell the real story, and helping organisations stay on track. Think of it as a backstage pass to the business world, where you don't just observe - you make a difference.

At Grant Thornton, we're looking for actively curious, purposefully driven, and candid but kind individuals who want to shape the future of business - not follow it.

Our Pensions Audit team works with a wide range of clients, including many household names, covering industry-wide schemes, corporate pension schemes and master trusts. These organisations manage the retirement savings of millions and operate in a highly regulated environment where accuracy, governance, and transparency are paramount.

That’s where we come in. Our audit services team provide the assurance that pension scheme trustees, members, and regulators rely on. With a strong reputation for quality and insight, you’ll be part of a team that’s helping to safeguard the future financial wellbeing of pension scheme members. We also assist our commercial audit teams to audit pension scheme balance and disclosures which appear in company accounts.

Our five-year audit school leaver programme is your launchpad to a meaningful career, a professional qualification, and a chance to make a real impact on UK businesses.

What you'll do

• Work with a variety of pension schemes, from large corporate household names to specialist industry-wide schemes, gaining exposure to different governance structures, investment strategies, and regulatory challenges.
• Get hands‑on with real audits, reviewing financial statements, testing contributions and benefits, and helping ensure pension schemes are accurately reporting how they manage members’ retirement savings.
• Understand how pension schemes operate by analysing funding positions, assessing internal controls, and learning how trustees and administrators manage assets, liabilities, and risk.
• Use data and technology to spot trends, identify anomalies, and support your findings.
• Keep learning and growing by staying up to date with pensions regulations, developing your professional judgement, and building relationships with mentors and specialists across the firm.
• Study with support, with dedicated time to study and a team behind you as you work towards your CFAB and ACA qualifications.

Who we're looking for

We’ve got a flexible approach to academic entry requirements, and we’ll consider these alongside your strengths and motivations. We’re looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas, and go beyond expectations.

• Curious minds who explore ideas and ask thoughtful questions.
• Innovative problem solvers who think creatively, spot patterns, and turn data into meaningful insights.
• Collaborative partners who work respectfully and build trust with others.
• Effective communicators who listen, adapt, and express ideas clearly.
• Self‑leaders who manage and flex their time, mindset, and energy effectively.
• Career‑minded contributors who take initiative and are motivated to grow.

What you’ll get

Kickstart your career with a structured five‑year programme designed to give you real‑world experience from day one.

• Fully funded professional qualification, including paid study leave, expert tuition, and all course fees covered.
• Technology to support your learning and client work.
• Dedicated support network, from experienced managers and mentors to college tutors who’ll guide you every step of the way.
• Our approach to how we work helps you balance life, learning, and work.
• Exclusive discounts on shopping, gyms, and wellbeing services.
• Opportunities to give back through mentoring, volunteering, or fundraising initiatives.

Competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Extra holiday options (including flexible bank holidays and the option to purchase additional holidays).
• Life assurance.
• Private medical insurance.

What we expect from you

As part of your training with us, you’ll be provided with study leave to support you with completing your professional qualification. Completing a professional qualification is a substantial commitment and it’s worth taking this into consideration before applying, as you will be required to study in your spare time outside of your working hours. You’ll also be provided with study leave in the run up to your exams. You’ll need to be focused, committed, and organise your time well to balance all the requirements of being a trainee.

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