Apply to our graduate programme

We’ve shaped our application process to be a little different from other firms; our focus is on getting to know you as a person and finding the right character fit for our team, not just the best number crunchers around! If you like the sound of our approach and feel you have something special to bring, we’d love you to apply.

*TO QUALIFY for consideration you must have achieved (or be on course for) at least a 2:1 degree in any subject, have attained 112 UCAS points from at least 3 A-Levels or equivalent, and have Grade B or above in GCSE Maths and English Language or equivalent.

The application process

  • Stage One

    Doors Open

    Oct '23

    Applications will open on the 23rd October 2023. Complete a simple form of basics then answer three key questions - what attracts you to accountancy, why SRLV could be the firm for you and what you can bring. Take time to craft these answers and be brave – we’re looking for you to stand out. Submit this form with a tailored CV and you’ll have an excellent chance of making it to shortlist.
  • Stage Two

    Shortlisting

    Jan '24

    We receive 300+ applications each year. Those where candidates have taken the time to research our industries and specialisms then tailor their CV to SRLV and the graduate job description, stand out from the crowd. Beyond academic excellence, we’re looking for interesting details and clever ideas. If you make it to shortlist, we’ll be in touch to arrange a telephone interview.
  • Stage Three

    Callbacks

    Feb '24

    The telephone interview isn’t something to feel nervous about. We’re not looking for scripted answers or to catch you out. It’s a 10-15 minute chat with our HR Team about your time at uni, work experience and career aspirations. We’d like to know why SRLV appeals and, if you did your early homework, this shouldn’t be intimidating. Just be yourself and remember to ask us any questions too!
  • Stage Four

    Away day fun

    Mar '24

    If you make it through stage three, Assessment Day is fun. Held at a cool London hotel and hosted by a small senior SRLV team of friendly partners, directors and managers, we gather 20 or so applicants for team and individual challenges and, of course, a few tests. This includes a 10 minute presentation on a subject you feel passionate; so share a bit of what makes you tick.
  • Stage Five

    Office Visit

    Apr '24

    We shortlist around 50% of away day candidates and invite them, over a week, to visit our buzzing West-End offices. Meet the senior team from the away day for a short panel interview to go over your career history and work at the assessment day. Then take a tour of our office and roof terrace to see what we’re all about. Ask questions and see if it feels like a place you’d like to be.
  • Stage Six

    Making Offers

    Apr '24

    After the interviews we review all candidates and make our decisions swiftly so we don’t keep you hanging. Our HR Team will be in touch with feedback and, if you’ve been successful, an offer to join our four year Graduate Programme. It’s an exciting time for all involved and you’ll start in September.

View our FAQs.

Real life stories

Hear from recent graduates about life at SRLV and why they rate the pathway programme.

FAQs

We expect you’ve got plenty of questions, so we’ve tried to answer as many FAQs which graduates usually have below.  The interviews are a great opportunity to ask us further questions too.

How will training in audit help your career?

There’s more to audit than finance and excel spreadsheets. As part of your training, you’ll get to understand how businesses work and encourage them to be exceptional. Whether you go on to have a career in audit or decide to specialise in corporate consultancy or tax, audit is an exceptional foundation for any business career, giving you the technical knowledge to work in industry or as a business advisor, at the very highest level.

You’ll get to work with the partners, along with other senior staff, from day one. Whilst we’re a mid-tier practice, we’ve retained the close-knit family feel of a much smaller firm. Our culture is about people and everyone working together; you only need to walk around the office to see the ‘open door’ policy here and that the partners are very personable.

Whilst you won’t see any difference in the quality of our work, clients or staff, our size allows graduates and interns to get more varied experience, as well as carry out audits in industries that interest them. It’s also a different experience socially. As a graduate, you’ll get to know everyone in the office. At a Big Four firm, there are much larger teams for each specialism so it’s harder to meet people across the business.

We pay close attention to trainees’ interests and where they’d like to improve, so if you want to be involved with audits in a specific industry like music or retail, we will do our best to make this happen. Although we can’t guarantee this 100%, our trainees usually get the industry experience they’ve requested.

SRLV is a sociable place to work so being able to get on well with lots of different people is essential. We encourage individuality and look for trainees who aren’t afraid to be themselves, express their own opinions, or ask questions if something isn’t 100% clear. There’s a lot to learn and as you’re training, we don’t expect you to always get things right so it’s important to be able to take responsibility for occasional mistakes and learn from them. Having an eye for detail, good organisational skills, and the self-motivation to go ‘above and beyond’ are also useful qualities for trainees to have.

Whilst it’s likely you will meet undergraduates studying these subjects at your assessment day, you won’t sit any numeracy and cognitive reasoning tests or be expected to have technical knowledge already. No one has a particular advantage based on the degree they’re studying; however, it will help if you know your strengths and what you can offer to the job so you can discuss the key transferable skills you have.

Ahead of the assessment, you’ll be asked to prepare a short presentation about something you’re passionate about to present on the day. Previous topics have ranged from coffee production to aviation, so you can be as creative as you like. There are also group tasks, creative challenges, and games, plus a short writing task. At lunch, you’ll have plenty of time to meet our audit team, including the partners, which is a great chance for everyone to get to know one another more informally.

Our Creative Division offers ACA training contracts in accountancy, which are only available to undergraduates studying a related degree, who have completed an internship. The Creative Division trainees follow a separate training pathway and study independently of our audit trainees in terms of how they progress through the course and when they sit the exams. To find out more, please visit our interns page.

Join our talent pool

If the programme is currently closed for applications, drop us a line anyway and attach your CV. We’re always keen to hear from talented people who like the sound of our business.