How This Audit Semi Senior Secured a Role with a Top 100 Firm After Exam Failures

How This Audit Semi Senior Secured a Role with a Top 100 Firm After Exam Failures

Overview:

• Introduction
• Role Applied For
• Candidate Journey
• Candidate Testimony

Introduction

In the early stages of 2025, we helped a brilliant candidate located in Kent secure a role with a prestigious top 100 accountancy practice, despite the fact they had a history of multiple exam failures that would have ruled them out from most firms.

Role Applied For

Top 100 Firm | Excellent Training | Clear Progression Path | Study Support

Take ownership of your audit career while working with diverse clients at a top 100 firm that prioritises mentorship and structured professional development.

The Company & Role

We're recruiting on behalf of a top 100 accountancy firm with a strong reputation for high-quality audit work, a supportive & down-to-earth team culture, and excellent benefits!

Based in Kent, they're now looking to bring an audit semi-senior on board to support continued growth.

This is a great opportunity if you're looking for wider client exposure, real ownership of your work, and the chance to learn from experienced professionals in a respected national firm.

What you'll be doing:

Supporting audit assignments from planning through to completionIdentifying key risks and carrying out fieldwork and testingPreparing statutory accounts and performing analytical reviewsLiaising with clients and building trusted relationshipsKeeping managers updated on progress and helping ensure deadlines are metStudying towards the ACA/ACCA with comprehensive support

You'll be working with a diverse portfolio of privately owned businesses, gaining practical experience and responsibility as you move through your qualification.

Requirements:

Studying towards ACA or ACCAExperience working in a UK practice environmentSolid foundation in audit and account preparationComfortable with analytical reviews and audit testingClear communicator with strong attention to detail

This firm values motivation and the desire to grow as much as technical skills. If you're keen to build a career in audit, you'll be well supported here.

If you're looking for somewhere you can build confidence, broaden your experience, and make a meaningful contribution—this is it.

Next steps:Interested? Apply here or get in touch for a confidential chat. You don't need to meet every single requirement—if you're enthusiastic, driven, and ready to develop, I'd love to hear from you.

Candidate Journey

We called the candidate within 24 hours of their application – we’re always keen to speak with anyone in our industry! They had a little over 18 months experience in audit but had struggled with ACA exams in the past. However, when speaking with the candidate, they displayed amazing skills, some nice experience, and a great work ethic, combined with an eagerness to secure a new role.

While speaking with the candidate, we set up a video interview between them and ourselves. This isn’t pass or fail. It’s designed to help us develop a deeper understanding of each candidate and build a partnership between the two of us. After having the call and spending over an hour talking to the candidate, we were ready to get to work. After only one day, we secured the candidate two interviews – one with a top 100 firm, and the other with a smaller independent practice. Following the interviews, the candidate was invited for a second stage interview with the smaller practice but received a once-in-a-lifetime offer from the larger firm that she couldn’t refuse! Within two weeks of the candidate’s application, they had a new job. And dare I say it; it was their dream job!

Candidate Testimony:

From our very first conversation, Todd was exceptionally supportive. He took the time to explain everything clearly and mentioned he had a few roles that might be a great fit. I’ve worked with other recruiters in the past, but Todd truly stood out. He was proactive, quickly scheduled a Teams call, and went through all the details with care. 

What really stood out to me was how fast he acted. In no time, he had arranged two interviews, and just two weeks after that initial call, I had accepted a new job—thanks entirely to Todd’s efforts.

I don’t come from a strong academic background, and my CV isn’t the most polished, but Todd saw potential in me. He was incredibly supportive, flexible with scheduling, and always gave honest, constructive advice. His realistic approach helped manage expectations, and ultimately, he helped me secure a role I’m genuinely happy in.

I’m extremely thankful for his help and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a recruiter who truly cares and gets results.

This is a typical case study of ours – we help so many candidates every day and do our best to find them roles that are fulfilling and meet their every need.

If you’re searching for a new role, or just want to have an initial chat, please do contact a member of the team at Christopher Brian… we’re here and ready to help!

Contact Details:

enquiries@christopherbrian.co.uk

or reach out to Todd Grainger directly:

07535 314 368

todd@christopherbrian.co.uk