Do you have the ambition to join one of Armstrong Watson's Apprenticeship Schemes?
If you are finishing school or college, or looking to start on a new career path, one of our apprenticeships programmes might be the perfect option for you.
We’re an expanding business and the sky really is the limit with us.
When you’re with Armstrong Watson, you will be welcomed with rewarding work and a fantastic learning environment to reach your potential.
Alongside our Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and Association of Tax Technicians (ATT) programmes, we have also recently launched our Payroll Academy, providing a greater number of apprenticeship opportunities for those looking to start a career with Armstrong Watson. Further details about the Payroll Academy can be foundhere
'We are very proud that in 2018 we were named by the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) as one of the 'top 5 firms in the UK in which to kick start your accountancy career'.
Our Training Programme
Our training programme is perfect for you if:
You’re keen to start your career and earn a salary as early as possible;
You’re concerned about the cost of going to university;
You prefer on-the-job training to full time learning;
You respond well to coaching and feedback;
You like to be independent and challenge yourself
You're keen to avoid student debt and don’t want to wait to start your career ( and earn of course!)
Study Support
An AAT Level 4 is equivalent to a Higher Diploma or the first year of a degree. There will be plenty of on-the-job training to develop invaluable skills and you will be supported over a 3 year period to gain sought after accounting qualifications, establishing a solid foundation for a successful career in accounting. We also offer the prestigious Chartership (ACA) qualification, following on from AAT or after your degree, for those with the highest level of academic ability (it's tough at the top!)
You will be enrolled as a member of the AAT and will receive lots of useful information sent direct from your new professional body. Don’t worry, we pick up the tab for your membership fees.
Applications for 2022 are now open!
If you would like to apply for our AAT or ATT apprenticeship scheme, please get your applications in by midnight on Sunday 10 April 2022.
A lot of our colleagues have joined us straight from school and we are proud to provide the support and training needed.
We know what we are doing… check out our video to find out how one of our trainees beat off stiff competition to become shortlisted for 'InCumbria Trainee of the Year 2018'.
“It is exciting to be studying the AAT qualification one day a week and working four days a week. On the job training and studying is a really good way to build up knowledge and skills.”
Amelia Cummins-MacLeod – Accounting Assistant
“Armstrong Watson have been extremely supportive in helping me progress further, providing valuable training, experience and the chance to challenge myself.”
Bethany Jackson - Accounting Assistant
Gain Work Experience with us
Are you our future talent? We are looking for our next stars of the future to kick start their career with us through our exciting work experience programme – we want you if you have ambition and an interest in an exciting career with Armstrong Watson!
We are keen to offer work experience to those who are finishing Year 11 or older, and we have opportunities for work experience across most of our offices. We require candidates to have or be predicted to achieve at least 5 GCSEs graded between 9-4
"The opportunity itself is a fantastic one that gives any new starter the prospect of a great career at a top-quality firm along with all the support and training needed as you progress. The way you’re treated by everyone in the firm from the day you apply makes you really want to succeed here. I know Armstrong Watson is a place I’m loving every minute working at and the colleagues I have met to date couldn’t be more pleasant and helpful."
Kevin Clark, Accounting Assistant (AAT Trainee)
"My experience here has been great over the first few weeks. I’m very appreciative of how welcome I’ve been made to feel by every member of the team since I began my employment, and in addition to this, the welcome approach of everyone has been extremely reassuring. In all honesty when I started this role I was unsure of what to expect, as a school leaver and especially during the last few years guidance for careers opportunity was very limited and basic at best, however I feel as if Payroll has given me a chance to discover something I can commit to long term as I’ve enjoyed every day here so far!"
Bobby Vickers, Payroll Apprentice Administrator
"Moving to AW to complete my AAT training was the best decision I could have made. The amount of support from every member of the team is amazing. It is such a great place to work, there are so many opportunities and I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to help me progress my career and knowledge of Accounting. I highly recommend this opportunity."
Cain Heyworth, Accounting Assistant (AAT Trainee)
"Studying AAT has given me valuable skills and knowledge that I can apply in my day to day work, and I will now be going on to study the ACA qualification. Working within a professional environment with the acquired skills from AAT has given me the confidence to progress within the workplace and moving forward hope my career will develop with the knowledge and expertise my training has given me."
Abigail Graham, Trainee Chartered Accountant
"I joined Armstrong Watson in 2009 excited by the prospect of gaining qualifications as an apprentice while working full time; my preferred approach over University. Over the past nine years I’ve been supported through the AAT and ATT qualifications and given the opportunity to work with some fantastic people in different departments and locations across the firm. I’ve recently progressed to an Accounting Supervisor role advising and supporting mainly agricultural clients in and around Carlisle. The varied workload continues to challenge me day by day; just one of the things which makes Armstrong Watson a great place to work."
Murdo Laurie, Accounting Manager
"I applied for the Armstrong Watson chartered Scheme after hearing about the opportunities a friend had been given during her time on the programme. Armstrong Watson are always providing me with a broad range of experience across different offices and departments to help support my chartered studies. Not only has this helped me to put the ACA theory into practice, but it has allowed me to continually build on my professional development in the workplace. I joined the Cumbria Chartered Accountancy Student Society as both ICAEW Student Council (ISC) representative and chair and I thoroughly enjoyed the roles, and the firm fully supported my involvement allowing me time out to travel to London and Cambridge to attend quarterly ISC representative meetings for the student council."
We share an enthusiasm for our firm and our clients. We have a real desire to contribute to making Armstrong Watson and our people successful, as well as ensuring our clients achieve success.
Trust
We can be relied upon as others have confidence in us, in our ability and in our integrity.
Humanity
Actively demonstrate compassion, consideration and kindness for others.
Honesty
We show fairness, consistency, integrity and are committed to being truthful, sincere and frank.
