We’re excited to be able to welcome you to Saffery as a trainee.
Though we’re planning a full induction programme to support you when you arrive, the information on this page will help you to prepare for your start date and give you a better understanding of your trainee journey.
The guidance on this page covers frequently asked questions, preparatory work you will need to do, and what to expect your first days and weeks.
We’ve included links to lots of different resources. Not all will be relevant to you, depending on your education and experience level and the pathway you’re going into.
Contents
Understanding your qualification
How can I prepare for my start date?
What will my first few days look like?
Understanding your qualification
As soon as you join us, you’ll start studying for a qualification.
Each qualification is associated with an institute. This is the professional body or membership organisation that oversees the knowledge, skills, conduct, and practice of a specific profession or occupation. You can follow the link to the institute that applies to your qualification in the table below.
Study, exams and expectations
Exam support
How can I prepare for my start date?
Extra support or adjustments
What will my first few days look like?
Your first few days will be spent attending our Trainee Development Programme (TDP1), at a venue in Milton Keynes.
There’s no need to worry, as in the months leading up to your start date, you will receive an email with full details of the training course, including how to book your travel and accommodation, how to let us know about dietary requirements, and an overview of what to expect during the programme.
TDP1 is a fantastic opportunity to meet your local colleagues and connect with your wider cohort. Look out for an email titled “Saffery TDP1 Event – Your Personal Invitation”.
The programme will be a mix of soft skill training and some technical training with interactivity throughout and lots of opportunities socialise and get to know each other.
Let’s connect
Networking, getting laptops set up, what it’s like to be a trainee, and a drumming workshop.
Let’s get started
Bookkeeping, client service and networking with partners.
Let’s get technical
What to expect from technical training and studying at Saffery.
Let’s get going
How Saffery makes money, a bookkeeping test, more about equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) and how to complete timesheets/expenses.
Frequently asked questions
At Saffery we have a ‘dress for your day’ policy. Dress for your day means that if you have a formal meeting with clients, prospective clients or external contacts, either on-site or off-site (including attending a video meeting from home), you will be expected to attend in smart business dress (see guidelines below) unless otherwise directed by a client partner. If you have only internal meetings during an office-based or home-based day, you may dress in smart casual clothing (instead of smart business dress) if you wish.
We define smart business dress as:
- Business suits (i.e. matching jacket and trousers).
- Smart collared shirts (long or short-sleeved).
- Smart ties where the client or external contact would expect this. When not wearing ties, staff are expected to have only the top button of their shirt undone.
- Smart shoes.
- Business suits and dresses.
- Business skirts and blouses/smart tops.
- Tailored or smart trousers.
- Smart shoes or boots.
You don’t need to bring a personal laptop as your work laptop will be provided at the venue.
The dress code for TDP1 will be smart casual. Jeans are classed as smart casual for this event. The weather can be mixed, so please ensure you bring along some warm items of clothing. There is a leisure club on site so please bring appropriate clothing if you would like to utilise this.
We advise you to preplan your route to the office to ensure you are comfortable with where you are going and you arrive on time for your first day in the office.
It’s important to work in the office to build relationships with your cohort and the wider team and to be able to ask questions.
There may be opportunities to join client meetings when they visit the office, as well as visiting a client, depending on your service line. When interacting with clients, professional behaviour and dress is very important.
As part of your study, you will be going to college in person or online (depending on college locations). A call will be arranged with your tuition provider and your relevant institute ahead of attending college. This will help you to understand what to expect. This is also a great opportunity to ask any study/qualification related questions you may have.
College days are usually 9.30 – 4.30pm and you will be given the full days to attend as study leave. You should be in class with other Saffery colleagues from your local office as well as students from other firms. Please remember that even in college you are representing Saffery.
Equality, diversity & inclusion at Saffery
We have six People Networks that support the firm to raise visibility of equality, diversity and inclusion, through inspirational events and celebrating key moments such as International Women’s Month, Social Mobility Month, Black History Month, Pride Month, Disability History Month, and religious and cultural festivals.
Our People Networks meet online every 6-8 weeks for relaxed discussions on relevant topics and initiative planning. We hope you will consider joining one. They are:
- Accessibility Network
- Faith Network
- Social Mobility Network
- Cultural Heritage Network
- LGBTQ+ Network
- Women’s Network
If you would like to get involved when you join, there is a page on our intranet with contact details for each network.
Wellbeing
Personal support network
Saffery terminology
Saffery policies
The Saffery intranet
Contact us
We can't wait for you to embark on your journey with Saffery! In the meantime, if you have any further questions, or need to reach out, please contact our Early Careers team.
Contact Early Careers