There’s something about Smith & Williamson that sets us apart from the rest. In an increasingly competitive industry, we’ve referred to a number of simple and reliable practices which have helped shape our culture since our foundation in 1881. Of course, we’ve moved with the times in terms of technology and services, but there are some things that’ll never change.
- Unique - distinctive in the top 10 firms for our range of services, we offer the usual professional solutions, but stand out through our strong investment management arm.
- Our size - big enough to be competitive, but small enough to know plenty of the people you’re working with, we think we’ve got the balance just right and so do our clients.
- Variety - with a host of services to choose from and the personal nature of the business, you’ll develop skills across a number of diverse clients.
- Get up close to senior leaders - the board stay close to projects, visible on the office floor, and you’ll learn expertise first-hand from experts in their field.
To secure our industry leading reputation, we want to make sure we’ve got the right people to help us. Naturally, you’ll have the basic skills, knowledge and commitment to meet the challenges we set ourselves. You’ll need a strong second class degree and 24/300 UCAS points, along with strong team working and communication skills and a real interest in the business world.
With a two-way recruitment and selection process like ours, it helps to be honest. Firstly, we’ll take a good look at your own qualifications and aptitudes, and decide if we’re really right for you. And then we’ll let you do the same - ask questions and put us to the test to make sure we live up to your expectations.
We understand this is a time when you’re faced with a number of important choices, so we try to make your career decision the easiest one of all.
Graduate Training Programme
Smith & Williamson Assurance & Business Services department offers an extensive training programme for new Graduates joining their Audit practice. The three year training programme consists of internal and external training and on the job experience. The internal training will support the development of your career at Smith and Williamson and enable you to qualify as a Chartered Accountant with the ICAEW. It will also prepare you for an Audit Senior Development programme once you have qualified.
During the first 6 months of your time at Smith & Williamson you will be introduced to the structure of the firm, gain an understanding of double entry bookkeeping and the preparation of Company Financial statements. You will be introduced to other areas of the business and have an introduction to financial reporting systems, internal financial controls, audit assertions, audit evidence and audit testing. You will gain an understanding of Ethical standards and have the opportunity to improve soft skills such as giving feedback and conducting meetings. All of this internal training will support you in carrying out your work at client sites and enable you to pass the first six knowledge papers which form part of the ACA qualification.
The next 18 months of your time at Smith & Williamson will enable you to build on your auditing skills and run small assignments, looking at all stages of an audit from planning through to completion. This period introduces you to the importance of coaching, providing constructive and balanced feedback and reviewing the work of junior members of staff. At the end of this period you will have completed the remaining six Professional Stage papers.
In the final year of your three year training contract you will start to project manage your own audit assignments. Your Auditing skills will be developed with a look at both the technical and soft skills that will enable you to move into the role of Audit Senior. You will gain further skills in briefing junior staff and reviewing their work. You will also enhance your knowledge of various sectors, including Financial Services, Registered Social Landlords and Solicitors. During this time you will also have the opportunity to think about what the role of audit senior involves, and what you want out of a career. You will hear more about various opportunities open to you at Smith & Williamson, and hear from directors and staff about different parts of the business, their roles, and why they enjoy working at Smith & Williamson. Skills training will also continue, with a look at presentation skills. You will complete the three Advanced Stage papers during this year to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.
The Recruitment Process:
Stage 1: the application form
We know you may have filled in a number of application forms, but it really is worth taking care over it. It’s your introduction to us and our only way of knowing whether to call you to a first interview. So, don’t just give us uniform answers - make yours one to remember.
Stage 2 - the online aptitude test
If successful, you’ll be invited to sit our online aptitude tests to gauge your overall suitability for a career with us.
Stage 3 - the telephone interview
We’ll follow that up with an informal telephone interview for you to learn more about the company and for us to see how likely you are to succeed at Smith & Williamson.
Stage 4 - the assessment centre
If you’re still in the running, we’ll invite you to an assessment centre for another round of psychometric testing and to see how you fair in group exercises. The last input we have in the process is the second interview, conducted by a director. It’s your last chance to sell yourself, so relax, be confident and don’t hold back.
Stage 5 - the final offer and your chance to revisit the firm
Unique to Smith & Williamson, the final stage is all about you. Once you’ve received your final offer, we open our doors so you can revisit the firm and make that all-important decision. You get to chat to staff on an informal basis, without the pressure of the interview process. Then, all you’ve got to do is say yes.
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Further Information:
www.smith.williamson.co.uk
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