Early Careers Trainee

Sumer

Salary undisclosed

DurhamFull-timeOn-siteIntermediate

Need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview? Contact us.

JobMinglr uses automated technology to recommend jobs based on profile information and job preferences. Match Score does not determine eligibility for a position, prevent a user from viewing or applying to a job, or make hiring decisions on behalf of an employer.

Description

RMT is proud to be part of the Sumer Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing accountancy practices. Together, we’re creating brighter futures for our people, our clients, and our communities.

We’re now inviting applications for our Early Careers Trainee Programme, designed for those ready to take their first step into a rewarding career in accountancy. Whether your passion lies in Accounts or Tax, you’ll gain the skills, qualifications and experience to become a fully qualified professional, supported every step of the way.

Key Responsibilities

You’ll be joining a friendly, professional team where enthusiasm, curiosity and commitment are valued as highly as experience.

From day one, you’ll work with a range of clients, gaining hands-on experience within Accounts or Tax. Depending on the team you join, this could include preparing accounts, supporting audits, or providing insightful tax and business advice

As your confidence grows, so will your responsibilities. You’ll have opportunities to work directly with clients, contribute to projects, and gain a real understanding of how successful businesses operate.

We’ll equip you with the technical training and personal skills development you need to progress, ensuring you build a strong foundation for a long-term career in accountancy.

The programme

You’ll join a training contract, combining practical client experience with professional study towards your qualification (AAT, ACA or ATT).

Alongside your qualification, you’ll become part of the Sumer Academy, our dedicated early careers development programme. The Academy runs alongside your studies, offering a blend of online and in-person learning, focused on building both your technical and soft skills that will help you thrive in your future career.

You’ll also train as part of a group-wide cohort, connecting with other trainees from across the Sumer Group to share experiences and learn together.

What’s on offer

Full study support, including paid study leave and course fees
Buddy and mentoring systems to help you settle in and progress
Group-wide cohort training through the Sumer Academy
Opportunities to grow your career beyond qualification
Exposure to a diverse range of clients and projects

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

To apply, you’ll need a strong A-Level or equivalent academic history, including a minimum of a Grade C/5 in English and B/6 in Maths at GCSE level (or equivalent).

You’ll also be:

An effective communicator – confident in listening and expressing ideas clearly with clients and colleagues.
Collaborative – a team player who enjoys sharing ideas and working together to achieve great results.
Time efficient – able to balance work and study with good organisation and prioritisation.
A problem solver – curious, adaptable and ready to take on challenges.
Results focused – proud to deliver a high standard of work and service.
Keen to learn – enthusiastic about developing your skills and career.

The Process

Our application process is designed to help you show your best self:

Application Review
Online testing (behavioural, numerical and comprehension)
Assessment Centre & Individual Interview
Offer

Key Dates

Advert closes: 25th October
Online tests to be sent out to shortlisted candidates: 27th October
Deadline for completing online tests: 3rd November
Assessment Centres: 17th & 18th November

Key Details

Location: Finchale House, Belmont Business Park, Durham, DH1 1TW
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Start Date: September 2027

Benefits

At Sumer, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment, not just as buzzwords, but as the heartbeat of our team. Our recruitment practices reflect this commitment, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds. We prioritise creating an environment where every candidate feels respected and supported throughout the hiring process.

Everyone is unique and we understand that each individual may have distinct needs to showcase their best selves during interviews. Our commitment is to offer personalised support for all candidates. Let our team know how we can bring out your fullest potential.

Our Values

We have a strong set of values that define who we are and everything we do:

WE SHINE TOGETHER – We celebrate everyone’s individuality and work as one team.
WE DO THE RIGHT THING – We act with kindness, fairness and integrity in everything we do.
WE MAKE IT COUNT – We’re quietly brave as we make a difference, every day, for our clients and communities.

Benefits

At Sumer, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment, not just as buzzwords, but as the heartbeat of our team. Our recruitment practices reflect this commitment, welcoming individuals from all backgrounds. We prioritise creating an environment where every candidate feels respected and supported throughout the hiring process. Everyone is unique and we understand that each individual may have distinct needs to showcase their best selves during interviews. Our commitment is to offer personalised support for all candidates. Let our team know how we can bring out your fullest potential. Our Values We have a strong set of values that define who we are and everything we do: WE SHINE TOGETHER – We celebrate everyone’s individuality and work as one team. WE DO THE RIGHT THING – We act with kindness, fairness and integrity in everything we do. WE MAKE IT COUNT – We’re quietly brave as we make a difference, every day, for our clients and communities.

About this role

Sumer's Early Careers Trainee Programme offers a structured entry point into accountancy for graduates ready to combine hands-on client work with professional qualification study. Based in Durham, you'll work full-time across either Accounts or Tax, starting with foundational tasks like preparing accounts or supporting audits, then progressing to direct client interaction and project contribution as your confidence builds. The role pairs practical experience with formal training toward AAT, ACA, or ATT qualification, plus enrollment in the Sumer Academy—a dedicated development programme blending online and in-person learning to build technical and soft skills alongside your studies.

The programme emphasizes support and peer learning. You'll have a buddy and mentor, study leave and fees covered, and join a cohort of trainees across the Sumer Group, creating a collaborative learning environment. The role suits someone with strong A-Levels (minimum Grade C/5 in English and B/6 in Maths at GCSE), who communicates clearly, works well in teams, and balances study with work through good organization. You should be curious, adaptable, and genuinely keen to develop—the firm values problem-solving and a commitment to delivering quality work.

The permanent position runs 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a September 2027 start date. Applications close 25 October, with assessment centres scheduled for 17–18 November.

This role's local market on JobMinglr

Pay for this role

The employer didn't post a pay range for this role. That usually means pay is set in negotiation, which favors whoever arrives with numbers. Check ranges on comparable Early Careers Trainee postings in Durham, and analyze any offer before you accept it.

Before you apply, worth reading

How JobMinglr reads this job

Every listing here is scored against your profile before you apply: skills overlap, experience level, location and work arrangement, each weighted and explained. You see the score and the reasons, not just a list. How the matching works.