Spring Term Accountancy Placement January 2027

Are you looking to gain practical experience as part of your university degree? Our Spring Term Placement Programme offers the opportunity to develop your skills in Accounts, Audit and Tax with our Dublin team, market leaders in the Film & TV sector. We're excited to be partnering exclusively with the University College Dublin to offer ambitious students the opportunity to join our programme. We welcome applications from talented individuals from all degree backgrounds who are eager to develop their skills and build a successful career with us.

Who we are

Saffery is a partner-led and people-focused firm of chartered accountants, tax and business advisers. Since 1855, we’ve built long-term relationships with our diverse, high-profile clients, across varied and specialised sectors. As a proud member of Nexia, a worldwide network of trusted member firms, we’ve got access to local insight on a global scale.

We pride ourselves on our informal and inclusive culture, building an environment where people can be themselves and enjoy challenging, interesting, rewarding careers.

When you work with Saffery, the well-respected accountancy firm where heritage meets ambition, you work with people who know your name. Who know you as a human being, not just a job title. Everyone belongs here. Always.

Who we welcome

We recognise that talent comes from different paths, so we encourage applications from all penultimate-year undergraduates. No prior relevant work experience or specific degree discipline is required.

About the team

The Dublin office works with a wide range of owner-managed businesses, entrepreneurial companies and international clients across audit, tax and accounts services. Alongside providing core accountancy and business advisory support, the office is recognised for its specialist expertise in the Film & TV sector, helping production companies navigate financial, accounting and tax matters throughout the lifecycle of a production.

About the programme

Our placement programme runs over the Spring academic term, from January to April 2027, providing a valuable insight into the workings of Saffery.

You’ll be partnered with a dedicated mentor who will ensure your placement is both enjoyable and challenging.

From day one, our tailored Kickstart Programme will support your growth with structured learning, specialist insight sessions, skills development and ongoing support, helping you build confidence and make a real impact.

Key dates to apply

Monday 14 September - Sunday 4 October 2027

We encourage early applications to avoid disappointment, as roles may close early due to high demand.

Due to the volume of applications, you may occasionally experience delays; however, we remain committed to reviewing all applications fairly. All applications are assessed by trained human reviewers, and automated tools are not used to make final decisions.

Start date:

Monday 4 January 2026

The exact start date is subject to change but we hope this gives you an indication.

Your role and development

Your growth will incorporate an exciting blend of valuable work experience and real-world learning.

You will gain exposure across all types of work, mainly Audit, Accounts and Corporate Tax, as well as some administration.

Audit

What you'll do

• Gain hands-on experience across the full audit cycle, from planning through to completion.
• Support audit engagements for clients across a diverse range of industries, testing financial information and reviewing key controls.
• Prepare clear, accurate audit documentation and working papers.
• Work with client financial data using a range of accounting systems and audit technologies.
• Assist with audit planning, fieldwork and reporting, both in the office and on client sites.
• Build strong relationships with clients and develop an understanding of their businesses and industry sectors.
• Investigate financial information, identify risks and resolve queries with support from your team.
• Take on increasing responsibility throughout your placement while contributing to the delivery of high-quality client work.

What you'll learn

• How audits are planned, delivered and reviewed in practice.
• Core audit, accounting and financial reporting principles.
• How different businesses operate and the financial controls that support them.
• How to assess risk, analyse financial information and apply professional judgement.
• Key professional, technical and client-facing skills that will support your future career.
• What it's like to work in a professional services firm and collaborate as part of a high-performing team.

Accounts

What you'll do

• Support the preparation of financial statements, management accounts and other financial reporting deliverables for a diverse range of clients.
• Work with client financial data using a variety of accounting systems, software and digital tools.
• Assist with bookkeeping, reconciliations and the resolution of day-to-day accounting queries.
• Prepare accurate, high-quality work for review by senior team members and take on increasing responsibility as your confidence grows.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients, gaining insight into a range of businesses and sectors.
• Contribute to client projects and support the delivery of accounting and advisory services.

What you'll learn

• Core accounting principles, financial reporting requirements and industry regulations.
• How businesses operate and how financial information supports strategic decision-making.
• How to analyse and interpret financial data and communicate key insights effectively.
• How accounting systems and technology are used in practice to deliver client services.
• Essential professional skills, including communication, teamwork, time management and client relationship building.
• How your academic studies apply in a real-world professional environment, helping you develop a strong foundation for your future career.

Corporate Tax

What you’ll do

• Assist with tax returns, computations and other compliance filings for a range of clients.
• Work with financial and client data to support reporting, analysis and submissions.
• Use specialist software and systems to deliver high-quality tax work.
• Carry out technical research and support client projects, queries and advisory work.
• Prepare reports, calculations and documentation for review by senior colleagues.
• Build relationships with clients and colleagues while gaining exposure to a variety of industries and sectors.
• Contribute to delivering accurate, practical solutions that help clients meet their tax obligations and achieve their goals.

What you’ll learn

• Core tax principles, legislation and regulatory requirements.
• How tax rules apply to different clients and business situations.
• How to analyse financial information and prepare tax returns, calculations and technical documentation.
• Film and TV tax reliefs, tax credit claims and the specialist tax issues affecting the creative industries.
• The role tax plays in compliance, advisory work and business decision-making.
• How to communicate technical information effectively.

We’ll support you every step of the way through mentorship, structured training, as well as regular social events to build friendships with colleagues.

What you'll need

• You'll be a penultimate year undergraduate,
• 2:1 undergraduate degree (expected) in any discipline,
• A minimum of 400 Leaving Certificate points or 120 UCAS points (or equivalent), and
• A minimum of B or 6 (or equivalent) in Junior Certificate/GCSE Maths and English Language.

We welcome applications from candidates who are AAT qualified. Please apply as usual and be sure to include your qualification details in the academic section.

We understand that confidence plays a role in job applications, and some candidates may hesitate to apply. If this role excites you and aligns with your career ambitions, we’d love to hear from you!

Want to return to Saffery?

We really hope you enjoy your time with us and if all goes well, we’d love to welcome you back! You may receive an offer for a training contract once you finish university. The best part? No need to go through the application process again.

If you’re thinking about switching offices, you’d just need to have a quick interview with the new team.

When you return, we offer three year training contracts to help you become a qualified accountant or tax advisor, with full support for professional qualifications.

Where potential meets personal meets you

At Saffery, we look for people who share our values. We're looking for individuals who are collaborative, responsible, progressive and act with integrity, whilst always striving for excellence.

You'll be approachable, committed and ready to take ownership of your work, with a proactive and curious mindset and a genuine interest in how businesses operate. We value people who are organised, pay close attention to detail, enjoy working with financial data, and can manage their time effectively.

You'll thrive in a close-knit team environment, working collaboratively with others while taking responsibility for your own development. We want people who are willing to learn, ask questions, speak up when something could be better, and help make improvements happen.

Here, you're never just a number. We value drive, focus and a positive attitude, but we also value who you are as a person. We believe in caring more, leaving egos behind, supporting each other and enjoying the journey together. There's genuine mutual respect here and a two-way relationship where we bring out the best in each other.

We’ll help you get to know our clients, but we also look for people who are naturally inquisitive about the wider business and economic landscape. If you're curious, eager to learn, and committed to giving your best, you'll find plenty of support and opportunities to succeed.

You’ll be surrounded by people who value you, your contributions, and your potential.

What we’ll offer you

We believe that supporting our people leads to success, so we provide both core and flexible benefits tailored to your needs:

Financial support & flexibility

• Competitive salary
• Profit-sharing scheme (approx. €1000 per year)
• Generous annual leave & flexible work arrangements
• Contributory pension plan (5% salary match)

Work life balance & wellbeing

• Buddy scheme and/or line manager support
• Agile working policy (up to three days working from home, however in your first few months we do encourage up to 4 days in the office to reap the benefits of training around your managers and colleagues)
• Health assessments, GP access, & cancer screenings
• Access to mental health & wellbeing resources

Personal development and belonging

• Mentorship & career progression opportunities
• Participation in our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) programme
• Volunteer to join one of our People networks for example Accessibility, Cultural Heritage, Faith, LGBTQ+, Social Mobility and Women

What to know before you apply

• Before submitting your application, take some time to familiarise yourself with our recruitment process by visiting How to apply - Saffery
• We also recommend practising psychometric tests and learning more about how to approach a face-to-face, competency-based interview. This will help you feel confident and prepared to show your best self.
• You can apply to just one of our programmes during each recruitment season. If your application isn’t successful this time, we’d love for you to try again when applications re-open next September for the following year.
• If you’ve experienced extenuating circumstances (such as bereavement, mental health challenges, or any other unforeseen situation), that may have impacted your academic performance, please reach out to us before you submit an application - [email protected].
• If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know by including the details in the relevant section on the application form. We’re committed to assessing all applicants fairly and want to do everything we can to support your success throughout the process.
• If you are selected for an in-person interview, we will provide reimbursement for your travel expenses. More information on what we cover will be shared at this stage of the process.
• If you're offered a place at Saffery, we kindly recommend holding off on booking any annual leave around your expected start date. This helps ensure you don’t miss out on important training and onboarding sessions that will set you up for success.