Location: Blackburn or Bury

Start Date: Monday 1 September 2025

The role in brief:

Voted in the UK Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers Rankings of 2024, you will be joining our AAT school and college leaver programme which will give you the skills and support you need to unlock a future full of new opportunities and experiences within the world of Accounting + Advisory.

You will enjoy a combination of on-the-job learning and structured training, not to mention an interesting client list to work with. You will be given full study support towards the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) to begin with, and then have the option to go on to a further professional qualification.

Who we are looking for:

This is an ideal opportunity for enthusiastic individuals, educated to at least GCSE or A Level standard, who want to gain a professional qualification within the Accounting + Advisory profession and progress their career within an apprenticeship framework.

What the role involves:

• Preparation of accounts both in the firm’s offices and at client premises.

• Preparation of tax computations, where assistance will be given as necessary.

• Use a variety of accountancy software packages including Xero, QBO and Sage.

• Assisting with Accounts and Advisory team duties and providing ad hoc help to clients.

• You will be expected to have great communication skills to work within a team, keeping everyone up to date with the progress you are making.

• This role can be based in Blackburn or Bury.

Your development

PM+M believes that its most valuable resource is its team members. The continued success of the organisation depends upon having highly motivated people with proper skills in the right job at the right time. We recognise the need to offer all team members a clear path of progression within the business.

Therefore as part of this programme, we will provide a study package towards the AAT Qualification Level 3 and Level 4, including study leave, and will mentor you through your qualification journey. Once the qualification has been achieved we would look at further training opportunities to help develop your career, such as the ACCA or ACA, to become Chartered.

We also provide a complementary range of internal training opportunities to ensure that you maximise your potential in areas such as becoming a trusted adviser, how to network, presentation skills etc with opportunities for progression around the firm.

We have 6 monthly reflect and act conversations to ensure your development is on track, with optional monthly 1-2-1s. You will also have a buddy and opportunity for a mentor.

We also encourage you to get involved in wider firm initiatives and have your say on how we can progress on our journey towards being the best North West firm of finance professionals.

Your attributes:

Some of the key attributes we look for in our apprentices:

• Keen to play an active role in a dynamic team and willing to contribute to the success of the team and the firm as a whole.

•Passionate about providing great client service.

• Great at communicating with people at all levels – face to face and in writing.

• Positive attitude, and good at using your own initiative.

• Good at working under pressure.

• Motivated and well organised.

• Professional, mature and keen to learn and develop yourself.

• Be familiar with the use of recognised software applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Be educated to GCSE standard, with a Grade 5 or above in English and Maths – this is essential.

• Be educated or working towards a relevant A-level or BTEC in Accounting, Business Studies, Maths or Economics etc, this would be beneficial but is not a necessary requirement.

Important Dates

Applications for this apprenticeship will be open from 4 November 2024, closing on 30 January 2025 at 12pm.

Those shortlisted will be invited in to attend our Assessment Centre days, which will take place week commencing 17 February 2025, with one held at our Blackburn office and one held at our Bury office.

The start date for this apprenticeship is Monday 1 September 2025.

Your Application

It is important your application/CV includes the following key information:

• Your GCSE Grades, predicted or achieved, including years awarded

• Your A-Level or equivalent Grades, predicted or achieved, including years awarded

• Why you have applied for this apprenticeship at PM+M, and what interests you the most about it?

• Why do you feel you would be suitable for this role at PM+M over other applicants?

About PM+M

We are a vibrant, dynamic and award-winning firm of Chartered Accountants and business advisers, with offices in Blackburn and Bury and a hub in Burnley, covering East Lancashire, Greater Manchester and beyond. Our vision is to be the best North West firm of finance professionals and we want great people to join our team and help us do that.

We are proud of our inclusivity and diversity, encouraging people to be the best they can be and to be involved, no matter their level of experience or role.

We are a member of Praxity, the 7th largest global accountancy association and the largest association of independent firms. Being part of Praxity allows us to have strong international connections and a great source of secondment opportunities.

Joining the PM+M team will help take your career to the next level. You will be joining a values led organisation with a unique culture where you will be encouraged to take ownership of your own development and achieve your career goals.

We understand that we thrive when we help our clients succeed and that is our core purpose. We also understand that, to do that, our people need to succeed and be happy and fulfilled.

Everyone is different and has different hopes and dreams and different personal circumstances at different stages of their lives. Our task is to listen to you, understand what you want to achieve next and then work with you to help you get there. Our working practices are really flexible, based on high degrees of trust and empowerment and can flex to suit your circumstances and needs.

In addition to competitive salaries, here’s what our market leading benefits packages look like:

• 23.5 days’ holiday per annum + bank holidays

• office closedown over Winter Break

• flexible Easter Break, to account for other religious festivals

• on site free parking

• employer pension contribution of 8%,

• death in service life cover of 4 x salary

• income protection scheme

• weekly flexi time

• family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay

• flexible benefits (salary sacrifice) scheme including a range of benefits such as extra holidays, electric car scheme etc

• flexible/hybrid working

• full technical and soft skills training and support

• recruitment incentive scheme

• cycle to work scheme

• employee well-being portal

• access to the WeCare app that offers health, well-being, financial and legal support

• dress for your day policy and dress down Fridays

• paid sick leave

• extensive learning & development opportunities and study support

• Firm wide success bonus based on the achievement of certain financial metric(s).