Graduate Programme, Forensics - London (Sept 2026)

Job Description

At S&W, we help our clients thrive by simplifying the complex, illuminating new paths, and shaping solutions that make a difference. As one of the UK’s top 10 fastest-growing accountancy firms, we have been a trusted partner since 1881—helping businesses and individuals meet challenges and seize opportunities across generations.

Built on expertise and driven by ambition, we provide a comprehensive range of services, including tax and accountancy, advisory and assurance, corporate finance, and restructuring. We are defined by our purpose—to help navigate challenges, unlock potential, and achieve the extraordinary.

Introduction to the Forensics team at S&W

With a distinctive range of expertise and extensive links to the legal profession, we provide forensic services across numerous disciplines for both corporate and private clients. Our partners are acknowledged leaders in their own fields and combine this expertise with an understanding of the legal process and experience of acting as Expert Witnesses.

Our team offers forensic accounting and forensic technology services on a wide range of contentious matters including commercial dispute resolution, fraud and bribery investigations, private client disputes, personal injury claims, and Monitoring Trustee and Competition Services, both in the UK and internationally.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented graduate to join our growing team. You will combine detailed numerical analysis with strong written communication skills.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on projects across a range of the forensic services we offer, including fraud and financial crime, and commercial disputes. Over the graduate programme you will work towards the ACA professional qualification, gaining valuable skills and knowledge to advance your career.

You will also complete a 4-6 month placement in Audit & Assurance, giving you the opportunity to work directly with finance teams and develop strong financial reporting and assurance skills.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Gaining an understanding of the different services offered within the department.
• Assisting with and undertaking analysis of financial documents such as financial statements and forecasts, including for example researching and using available data sources to bolster analysis.
• Documenting analysis conducted and assisting in preparation and drafting of reports.
• Assisting with the review of documents to establish relevance of documentation to a matter.
• Fact-checking of reports and calculations prepared by other members of the team.
• Taking ownership of allocated tasks and being accountable for the quality of the work undertaken.
• Assisting with research to progress new business leads, as well as subsequent client onboarding and setup tasks.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be committed to working towards the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) level 7 professional qualification
• Have obtained or be predicted a minimum 2:2 degree, in any discipline
• A level: Minimum 112 UCAS points in top 3 A levels excluding General Studies (or equivalent)
• GCSE: Minimum Grade 5 (or equivalent), in English Language and Maths respectively

Learning & Development

You’ll be supported in completing your qualification; gaining the finance knowledge, accountancy skills and real-world business experience to jumpstart your career in accountancy, tax and business advisory. And you won’t do it alone - you’ll be joining as part of a cohort with your own personal support network, including a buddy to offer first-hand experience. Your qualification training will be supported by a leading UK training provider, and you’ll be given the space and time to study whilst developing a variety of skills to become a well-rounded advisor. You’ll receive guidance and support each step of the way by our dedicated Learning & Development team and training contact for your department to make sure you have everything you need to realise your potential from day one.

As a colleague here at S&W you will have access to benefits that include:

• Fully funded training towards professional

  qualifications

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Pension contribution
• Generous holiday package
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Eye care support
• Shared parental leave

We are proud to value the differences that a diverse workforce brings, representative of society and our clients. At S&W we have a wide range of highly active employee resource groups and we’re delivering multiple diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the organisation. It is our commitment to provide a workspace where all colleagues, regardless of identity, background, or circumstance, feel respected as individuals and feel that they can achieve their full potential and work in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are happy to make any reasonable adjustments to accommodate for your needs throughout the application process. Please let your Recruiter know.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION

When you click on the ‘I’m interested’ button you’ll be taken to your profile page. We’re in the process of updating it but in the meantime:

• We can only accept one application to any of our programmes in a recruitment season. If you are unsuccessful, you will need to wait until the next September when we re-open applications for the following year.
• Under the ‘Experience’ section, if you do not have any experience please enter ‘N/A’ into the ‘Title’ text box and choose a random end and start date
• Under the ‘Education’ section you do NOT need to include all your education details as we’ll ask for this separately once you’ve completed your profile. All you need to do is fill in the ‘Institution’ (aka University) question which is mandatory. If you have more than one degree please include your latest one.
• Under the ‘Resume’ (aka CV) section, it is mandatory for you to upload a document, however, it will not be formally reviewed.
• The ‘Message to Hiring Manager’ text box is NOT mandatory and will not be formally reviewed.