Job Summary: Audit School Leaver Apprentice (Mid-Markets)

Forvis Mazars is seeking motivated school leavers to join their Glasgow office for a four-year Audit Apprenticeship starting on 1 September 2026. This is a permanent role designed for those who want to skip university and jump straight into a professional career, earning a salary while studying for a prestigious, globally recognized qualification.

You will join the Mid-Markets team, which focuses on privately owned businesses. This means you won’t just be looking at numbers; you’ll be getting to know the entrepreneurs and families behind some of the UK’s most dynamic startups and multi-million-pound international groups.

Your 4-Year Journey

The apprenticeship is a “blended” experience of on-the-job training and formal study.

Years 1 & 2: The Foundation

Audit Fundamentals: Learn to use cutting-edge software to prepare audit documents.
Financial Literacy: Develop a deep understanding of balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow.
Client Immersion: Work directly at client sites, learning how different businesses actually operate.
Support System: You will be assigned a “buddy” and a people manager to help you transition from school to the office.

Years 3 & 4: The Specialist

Complex Auditing: Tackle high-level areas like revenue recognition, valuations, and risk assessments.
Leadership: Take a leading role in delivering audit engagements and mentor new apprentices.
Qualification: Complete your final exams to become a fully qualified chartered accountant.

Role Details

Start Date: 1 September 2026.
Qualification: ICAS (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland) – fully funded.
Location: Glasgow (with a willingness to travel to client sites).
Contract: Permanent from day one.

Candidate Requirements

Academic & Professional Profile:

Education: On track for or already obtained A-levels, BTEC, or equivalent. (Mazars looks at the “whole self,” not just grades).
Mindset: Naturally inquisitive with a deep curiosity to learn how businesses work.
Soft Skills: Strong time management, critical thinking, and a positive “can-do” attitude under pressure.
Integrity: A strong sense of ownership and a commitment to delivering high-quality work in the public interest.

Understanding the Audit Process

As an apprentice, you are essentially a “financial detective.” Your job is to verify that the story a company tells about its money is true.

Why Choose the “School Leaver” Route at Mazars?

No Student Debt: Your ICAS qualification is fully funded, and you earn a competitive salary from age 18.
Early Seniority: By the time university graduates join as trainees, you will already have three years of experience and be moving into leadership tasks.
Purpose-Led Work: Mazars emphasizes “public interest,” meaning your work helps ensure the economy stays fair and transparent.
Global Network: With over 3,400 professionals in the UK alone, you have access to a massive network of mentors and future opportunities.

Application Tip: Research the “Mid-Market”

Mazars is very proud of its work with privately owned businesses. In your application:

Show Interest in Entrepreneurs: Talk about why you find startups or family-owned businesses more interesting than giant, faceless corporations.
Highlight Responsibility: Give an example of a time you had to take ownership of a task (at school, in a part-time job, or in a sports team) and delivered it on time.
Inquisitive Nature: Mention a time you identified a problem or a “mistake” by asking the right questions—this is the core skill of a great auditor.

Next Steps: Mazars closes roles as soon as they find the right candidates. Because this is for a September 2026 start, popular locations like Glasgow fill up fast.

Forvis Mazars (formerly Mazars) is a leading global professional services network and a top-ten accounting firm in the UK. In June 2024, the firm underwent a significant evolution, rebranding to Forvis Mazars following the creation of a new $5 billion global network between Mazars and the US-based firm FORVIS. In Glasgow, the firm maintains a strong presence as a premier advisor to the middle market, combining local Scottish market expertise with a massive international reach that spans over 100 countries.

Culture and The “Mazars Way”

The culture at Forvis Mazars is defined by a “people-first” approach and a commitment to “building a fair and prosperous world.” It is known for its integrated partnership model, which fosters a collaborative rather than competitive environment between offices. In 2026, the firm is particularly recognized for its “optimistic leadership”—with recent surveys showing their UK executives are among the most confident in the world regarding technology-driven growth. The workplace emphasizes “caring” as a core value, reflected in robust inclusion initiatives and a focus on long-term career “continuity” rather than short-term gains.

Key Company Highlights

Feature	Details
Specialization	Audit, Tax, Advisory, and Consulting (Private & Public Sectors)
Glasgow Office	100 Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3DN (Centrally located)
Global Ranking	Top 10 global professional services network
2026 Focus	AI & Digital Transformation; ESG and Decarbonization
Market Edge	Specialisms in Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Manufacturing
Sustainability	Climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

Specialist Services in Glasgow

The Glasgow team advises a diverse client base, from large listed companies to owner-managed businesses and private individuals:

Audit & Assurance: Providing independent oversight with a focus on technical excellence and “independent thinking.”
Tax Advisory: Navigating complex 2026 tax reforms, including Business Relief (BR) changes and Agricultural Property Relief (APR).
Private Client Services: Specialized advice for business owners on estate administration, trusts, and wealth protection.
Accounting & Outsourcing: Managing critical functions like payroll and corporate secretarial services for growing SMEs.
Consulting & Risk: Helping Scottish firms implement AI strategies and manage financial crime risk.

2026 Insights and Early Careers

Forvis Mazars is a major driver of professional talent in Scotland. In the 2025/26 cycle, the firm welcomed over 300 new trainees across its UK offices.

C-Suite Barometer 2026: Their latest research highlights that 96% of UK executives are optimistic about growth, with a primary focus on transforming IT and technology.
Inclusion: The firm is a signatory of the Menopause Workplace Pledge and a partner with Stonewall and the Social Mobility Foundation.
Community: Through the newly launched Forvis Mazars Foundation, the firm recently awarded over £300,000 in grants to support local community projects.

To apply for this job please visit www.forvismazars.com.