What we offer
Our three-year graduate programme recognises, rewards and nurtures your talent. Within an inclusive culture that values collaboration, learning, and a commitment to problem solving. You’ll study towards the ACA to qualify as a Chartered Accountant. Welcome to your future.
Our provision of tax, accountancy and advisory services to high net worth private clients, including their families, trusts and businesses means that your work will be challenging and varied. Be it micro accounts, very large accounts, trusts, partnerships, personal and company tax returns, as well as audits, you will learn from, and collaborate with, experienced colleagues to grow your skills and knowledge.
Our ACA graduate programme is well structured and you’ll have a clear progression pathway throughout and beyond. It has been designed to ensure you grow your technical abilities, learn from experiences and build the personal and professional skills you need to progress. Many of our senior staff and partners trained at Dixon Wilson and will be there to guide you through.
We are a firm that that welcomes conversation. We’re inclusive and supportive and you will find our managers and partners approachable, open and honest and collaborative. You will have support at hand no matter what - be it a from a buddy, your trainee co-ordinator, managers, training partner or our dedicated professional development team.
All-round experience
Our provision of tax, accountancy and advisory services to high net worth private clients, including their families, trusts and businesses means that your work will be challenging and varied. Be it micro accounts, very large accounts, trusts, partnerships, personal and company tax returns, as well as audits, you will learn from, and collaborate with, experienced colleagues to grow your skills and knowledge.
Clear progression pathway
Our ACA graduate programme is well structured and you’ll have a clear progression pathway throughout and beyond. It has been designed to ensure you grow your technical abilities, learn from experiences and build the personal and professional skills you need to progress. Many of our senior staff and partners trained at Dixon Wilson and will be there to guide you through.
A supportive environment
We are a firm that that welcomes conversation. We’re inclusive and supportive and you will find our managers and partners approachable, open and honest and collaborative. You will have support at hand no matter what - be it a from a buddy, your trainee co-ordinator, managers, training partner or our dedicated professional development team.
Meet our graduates
Graduate ACA Programme
I studied Maths at Newcastle University for my undergraduate degree before joining Dixon Wilson in 2022. I was never certain of what I wanted to go into after studying, but I knew I wanted to have a job title that my dad will be proud of.
"Studying alongside a full time job is challenging without a doubt, but Dixon Wilson provides a great amount of support as we are booked with an excellent training provider to learn the exam content."
Graduate ACA Programme
I joined Dixon Wilson in 2022 after graduating from the University of Manchester with a degree in Spanish and Business Management. When I was applying for a training contract Dixon Wilson stood out for me because trainees are given exposure to a wide range of accountancy disciplines with private and corporate clients.
“Dixon Wilson is very supportive with the busy exam schedule and trainees are encouraged to form a strong sense of community which means we all support each other with our study for the ACA qualification.”
Graduate ACA Programme
After obtaining my degree in Computing for Business and Management from University of Sussex I set up my own business. Through this experience I discovered a strong interest for accounting and tax.
"All in all, I have experienced a wonderful start with excellent people to what I believe will lead to a flourishing career."
FAQs
What makes Dixon Wilson different from other firms I’m looking at?
People are at the heart of what we do. We place a strong emphasis on ensuring our staff enjoy the work they do to remain happy, engaged and motivated.
The variety and range of clients we deal with results in plenty of interesting & varied work across accounts, audit and tax. There is ample opportunity to be exposed to new challenges.
The technical expertise of our partners and staff is outstanding. This is supported by the number of industry and professional prizes awarded to the firm and staff.
With over 70 trainees at varying stages of a training programme the firm recognises the importance of life beyond learning. Our active social committee, with the support from our partners, delivers a wide range of social and charitable activities such as our annual charity poker night, chess evenings, monthly drinks, puppy yoga, netball, cricket and tennis to name a few! These events are a great way to get to know colleagues at all levels.
Our office in London, occupying the upper floors and roof terrace of a modern development on Chancery Lane, is an impressive and fun location to work with views across the city.
Are there minimum academic requirements to join the Dixon Wilson ACA Graduate Programme?
You will need to have achieved a minimum of 120 UCAS points (300 points under the old UCAS system) and a predicted or achieved degree classification of 2:1 in any discipline to apply.
When & how can I apply?
Applications for our ACA Graduate Programme open each year in September (to start in March) & February (to start in August).
Apply via our website using the Apply Now buttons.
What is the application process?
Our application process is in 4 stages:
Stage 1: Online application form. You’ll start the application process by completing our online application form. This helps us get to know you and provides you with the opportunity to tell us why a career in accountancy appeals to you.
Stage 2: Online Assessments. If you are shortlisted and have met our academic requirements you will be invited to take an initial numerical reasoning test (NRT). Upon successful completion, you will be invited to sit a verbal reasoning test (VRT) and a critical reasoning test (CRT).
Stage 3: HR Interview. Candidates who successfully complete our assessments will be contacted and invited to an interview by one of our HR team. The interview is conducted by our Senior HR Advisor or HR Manager and held virtually via Microsoft Teams. It will take approximately 45 minutes and will explore your interest in completing the ACA qualification and accountancy in general. We will also ask you some competency based interview questions. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, so please do! This is a chance for you to learn more about our graduate programme.
Stage 4: Final Interview. You may be invited back to our final stage interview where you will meet a partner or director. This is your chance to impress. They will want to hear about your career aspirations, the skills you can bring to Dixon Wilson and your understanding of the commitment required to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.
You will also get the chance to meet one of our current ACA trainees. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get a real understanding of our ACA graduate programme & culture at Dixon Wilson.
If you are successful one of our HR team will contact you with an offer to join us.
Support needed?
If you need to request an adjustment or additional support in the recruitment process due to a disability, health condition and/or being neurodivergent, you just need to let our HR team know. They will ask you some questions to better understand your request and to ensure we provide personalised support.
How many places are available on the ACA graduate programme?
We have two intakes each year, joining us in March or August. Typically, we employ 10-14 trainees per intake. Joining us as part of a cohort of 10-14 trainees means there is a strong sense of community, one where invaluable support from a peer is always on hand.
What are Dixon Wilson looking for?
Aside from our minimum academic requirements and online assessment results, you must be committed to succeed in your examinations. We look for candidates who want to learn, are curious and enjoy problem solving; are adaptable when exposed to new situations and scenarios; enjoy working with others, and have the aptitude to deliver a first-class professional service to our clients.
What subjects will I study as part of the ACA qualification?
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales requires students to undertake three levels of formal examinations, the Certificate Stage, Professional Stage and Advanced Stage.
At Dixon Wilson, our trainees follow the ‘Pillar Approach’ pathway where the Certificate level papers are linked with the appropriate Professional level papers. This means that trainees sit 2 papers at a time (2 Certificate, followed by 2 Professional). Trainees then sit the Advanced level papers in their third and final year. We believe this approach fits together well with the practical experiences our trainees gain over the training contract whilst working in the office. The list below shows a typical order of the subjects you will study:
Year 1
Year 2 (First half)
Year 2 (Second half)
Year 3
How much time do I need to commit to studying?
The amount of commitment and home study required should not be underestimated, especially after a full day’s work. Study time will depend on what level of exams you have coming up and will naturally increase the closer you get to each exam. For higher level exams up to 15 hours a week may be required. Assistance and encouragement is always available from your colleagues.
What formal training will I receive?
You will benefit from a comprehensive training programme taught by leading commercial tutors, which is designed to enable our trainees to pass the examinations first time.
In addition, we have a unique in-house training programme which is designed to develop your client work and technical abilities as well as personal and professional skills. These are delivered by both internal and external specialist tutors.
What about my remuneration & benefits?
As a graduate on our ACA training programme you will be paid a competitive starting salary. You will also receive a settling-in allowance, payable in the first month of employment, to help with any costs associated with moving or starting a new job.
Our trainee salary progression framework is clear and transparent and rewards you based on successful completion of examinations. We hope that by knowing this ahead of time it’s not only motivating but also aids your financial planning. Going above and beyond in your work and applying advanced technical skills and knowledge is rewarded via our ‘Excel’ recognition scheme.
The London office working hours are Monday-Friday, from 9am to 5pm with an hour for lunch. Our trainees may be required to work overtime and this is paid at the relevant hourly rate. Excessive overtime is discouraged because of the need to prepare for examinations.
Benefits include:
Further perks consist of:
What happens after qualifying?
At the end of your three year programme, provided you have passed your exams, you will qualify as a Chartered Accountant. That’s quite an achievement.
You may be offered the opportunity to continue your career with as a Supervisor, taking responsibility for your own portfolio of work and managing trainees. Thereafter our career progression & salary pathway from Supervisor to Partner is clear.
We encourage newly qualified accountants to consider gaining additional qualifications to achieve membership of other professional bodies, such as the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) or the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Outside of client work there are plenty of opportunities to further develop your skills. Become a software superuser, knowledge share lead, work on our website and social media or be a mentor or trainee co-ordinator.
I am an international student, can I apply?
Any employment offers are subject to an applicant providing the necessary right to work documents that demonstrate the right to work and reside legally in the United Kingdom (UK). We do not currently provide sponsorship for this level of role and therefore we’re unable to accept applications from candidates requiring visa sponsorship.
More questions?
We want to make sure you have all the information you need. If you have any questions we haven’t answered here you can get in touch by e-mailing us at careers@dixonwilson.co.uk
Ready to take your next steps?
Bring your curious and collaborative nature and let’s make your future happen. We’re here to support ambition.
