External audit - get the career you want at RSM
Locations - Reading, Edinburgh, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Guildford, Preston, Cambridge, Hull, Lerwick, Newcastle
When you join our team, you’ll enjoy a powerful combination of on-the-job learning and structured training – not to mention an impressive client list to work with. You’ll discover a culture that nurtures individuality and an environment where everyone is supported to reach their potential. With us, you’ll always be moving forward.
What does our external audit team do
Our team carries out a detailed, risk-based review of a company’s financial records, processes and controls to form an opinion on whether the financial statements prepared by the directors are true and fair.
A robust audit challenges the operations of a business and improves the internal workings of the entity. This is critical in today’s business world as the financial statements are one of only a small number of documents that a company will place into the public domain, and a quality audit gives confidence in what is delivered to all stakeholders.
What can you expect
At RSM, you’ll be a key member of our team from day one. You’ll get involved in client work very quickly, always working as part of larger teams, giving you ownership of tasks within those teams swiftly and preparing you to lead those teams in the future.
Within your first month you will be talking to our clients’ finance staff, within a year you will be delegating to other auditors in the team and within four years you will be leading audit teams on-site, challenging, questioning and learning from management teams.
The depth of services and clients you’ll be exposed to will help you kick-start your career. You could be working with a wide variety of organisations, including large listed companies, national retail chains, and high-profile charities, as well as some of our international clients that operate throughout the UK and beyond.
RSM’s school leaver apprenticeship in external audit will give you access to top quality career development. Alongside hands-on experience, you’ll benefit from on-the-job training from more senior members of the team and gain access to our internal training courses that will help you develop in the role. With our support, you’ll become a true trusted adviser to your clients in the future, in a role that will open doors for your future career.
When you join this team, we will help you balance your professional exams and training with you day-to-day audit work, You’ll work towards becoming a Chartered Accountant by completing a 5-year apprenticeship programme. This consists of the AAT qualification with the Association of Accounting Technicians for the first two years, followed by the ACA qualification with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) for the remaining three years. If you are based in Scotland, you will complete the AAT first then the Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). If you are based in Ireland, you will complete the AAT first then the Chartered Accountancy (CA) qualification with Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).
What we look for
We’re on the lookout for enthusiastic self-starters who are always up for a challenge and want to learn.
Audit is a technically demanding discipline, so we look for students who are quick to grasp new subjects and are ready to challenge themselves to become a Chartered Accountant.
You may have confidence with numbers, be an excellent team player, or be inquisitive of complicated issues. If you don’t, we will look to develop these skills in you.
You’ll often need to explain complex financial information, so you’ll need excellent written and verbal communication skills. What separates us from our competitors is the financial acumen we demonstrate and we expect that right from the start from our people.
If that sounds like you, we know you’ll enjoy being part of our team.
Flexible working
At RSM we work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference - to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm and clients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family and other responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is key to achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.
Diversity and inclusion at RSM
At RSM, inclusion and diversity are central to our values. We have an authentic focus on intentional inclusion, enabling our people to feel they can bring their whole self to work and ensuring everyone feels supported, respected and confident to make a valuable contribution.
To find out more, please visit our diversity and inclusion page on our careers website.
Our recruitment process
Please note, for those who perform well throughout our assessment process, should your first preference be unavailable, you could potentially be offered a role in another location or department. This would always be discussed with you in this instance.
RSM will only take one application into consideration per recruitment cycle. We do not accept multiple applications to different vacancies.
How to apply
- Click on the 'Complete Application' button above where you'll be redirected to RSM's website
- Refine your search by selecting 'Audit' under the Category drop down and 'School Leaver' under the Role Type drop down
- Select your preferred location and continue with your application
Entry requirements
At RSM, we don't just look for good exam results. We think passion, personality and originality are just as important.
You will need:
112 UCAS points across 3 A Levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification, or 104 UCAS points across 4 Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers or Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level).
Please note, RSM does not accept General Studies, AS levels or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).