FAQs
FAQS
Below we’ve compiled the most common questions we hear from candidates. However, if you still have questions, speak to your recruiter or email recruitment@gt-ci.com
Graduate, school leaver and work experience. The programme you apply for depends on where you currently are in the education system. Final year students or graduates can apply for our graduate programme. Students who have just completed their A levels/Highers/IB tend to apply to our school leaver programme; however, this is open to anyone who doesn't have a degree. Students in Year 12 and 13 can apply to do work experience with us.
Audit, Tax and Advisory. Whichever route you join, we work with you to develop you into a credible business person.
As far as determining which business area is right for you, we look for candidates across all different degree subject backgrounds. We urge you to make your decision on what appeals to you and your personality. All our roles require you to have a high level of integrity, be commercial, have attention to detail and be able to develop great client relationships.
Our entry requirements are balanced across the below areas:
• your personal achievements
• your academic achievements
• your connection with the Grant Thornton brand and values
We look at each candidate in a balanced sense, each individual application is considered in its entirety. Academic performance is one part of what we look at, but not the only part of you we consider. We're looking for well-rounded candidates who connect with our brand, values and culture and want to make a difference right from the start. As a trainee you'll be studying for a professional qualification. It's really important that you can balance study, revision and client work. It's going to be a challenging few years but being professionally qualified opens up many doors and fast-tracks your career as a business adviser.
At Grant Thornton, we've created a culture of openness and transparency where all our people can make a difference. Our CLEARR values underpin our culture and how we do business. They are embedded throughout our business and set the parameters of how we expect people to behave with their colleagues, clients and the world at large. Our CLEARR values are Collaboration, Leadership, Excellence, Agility, Respect and Responsibility. We want to work with people who connect to our firm's values. It's about us looking at you as an individual. You're unique. So are we. Why not explore more about what life as a trainee business adviser at Grant Thornton is like before you submit your application?
We’re committed to ensuring our application process is balanced, and this includes taking into account extenuating circumstances. When submitting your application please send any documentation with regards to your extenuating circumstances to recruitment@gt-ci.com. This will then be reviewed alongside your application and an outcome will be provided to you.
Yes. Academic performance is one of the areas that we look at when we consider your application but it’s not all we look at. It's about you demonstrating your ability so consider what you’re great at and show it in your application.
Our trainee vacancies are advertised from November for the following year’s associate intake. We advise applying as early as you can, once applications have opened for the position you're interested in. We'll fill roles as we go, so the earlier you apply the more chance you've got securing a place in the area you want.
If there are no positions available at the time of your application, please contact our People & Culture team via recruitment@gt-ci.com as we are always looking for talented individuals, for the future, who share our values. We can discuss your skills and experience and let you know what opportunities we may have coming up in the future. We will also invite you to join our talent pipeline so that we can contact you should a suitable role become available.
Yes, you are able to apply for a trainee position with us. Please consider that you may be required to complete the duration of your trainee contract (i.e. three years for a graduate) if you are successful in the application process. We will consider each application on a case-by-case basis.
Any employment offers are subject to an applicant providing the necessary right to work documents that demonstrate their right to work and reside legally in the Channel Islands. As an employer we must check that a job applicant is allowed to work in the Channel Islands before we can employ them. This means that you’ll be asked to provide evidence of your right to work during the early stages of our application process and you must be able to demonstrate your right to work in the Channel Islands for the duration of your employment with us.
Unfortunately our training programmes do not meet the Immigration Department's minimum qualification and salary criteria and therefore we’re unable to accept applications from candidates requiring visa sponsorship.
Our firm believes that diverse thinking and approach is critical to getting the best solutions for our clients and creating a stimulating work environment where everyone is enabled to realise their full potential. This includes not discriminating and building an accurate picture of our workforce in encouraging equality and diversity. We are committed to creating a working environment where all colleagues are treated equally, where differences are understood and respected, and everyone feels valued and able to perform at their best. This is our aspiration.
Each office is different, but in general we are a lively firm and our offices have active social calendars – and enthusiastic participants. Departments also arrange their own activities on a regular basis. We have sporting activities, corporate responsibility events, summer and Christmas parties as well as informal evenings in both Jersey and Guernsey. And, in keeping with our proactive atmosphere, if you want to organise a social event or gathering we’re all for it!
At Grant Thornton we look for the exceptional. And for us that starts with passion and enthusiasm – we want someone who really cares about making a wider impact. Our teams of advisers are independent thinkers who examine and test assumptions. They love tough challenges and believe what they do matters. As a Grant Thornton trainee you’ll listen critically, and be inspired to ask the questions that allow you to really get under the skin of a business. You’ll drill down to the relevant issues, regardless of sector, to offer our clients the kind of business advice that takes them from where they are to where they want to go. However, it’s not only about technical expertise or a qualification. Good relationships and credibility are ultimately what make the business world go round, and we’re looking for people who are confident and with the personality to build a genuine rapport with our clients and spot opportunities to add value. It’s what gives your knowledge and professional qualifications the kind of edge that really drives your career - and our business forward.
We’re looking for exceptional people and we don’t take on huge numbers of trainees. As such, we expect you to become an effective member of the team as soon as possible. You'll enjoy a hands-on and proactive start to your career with a variety of challenging clients and roles. You'll get to understand different types of businesses and what motivates the people running the business. You'll work alongside very different people (within Grant Thornton and among our client base), experts in their field, learning from their experience and developing your own skills and knowledge. You'll develop and nurture working relationships with our clients. You'll build a personal rapport with key individuals who will trust and rely on you as a business adviser with a genuine, professional interest in their business - and ours. We’re looking for a real interest in the commercial world - so that we know our clients will see your enthusiasm for their business straight away.
Coffee, yes if you're getting one yourself. We've more than that in mind for you though. We want to get you up to speed as fast as possible, so much of your first few months will be spent training either for professional examinations or ‘on the job’. It's good to be realistic, there's admin in every role, at every level but there is far more to the job than just that.
Work/life balance is important and valued here and you won't be expected to always work long hours or overtime. At certain times of the year, such as financial year ends, you will need to work overtime to ensure quality of service to our clients.
Like you, we want you to pass your exams first time. So we give you paid study leave to attend all the relevant tuition and revision courses. How much you get depends on the qualification you are studying and the method of study.
Lots! Not only do you get paid while attending college, but we also cover the cost of tuition, books, examination and entry fees. On top of this, you'll get the support on a day-to-day basis from colleagues, managers and other students.
We want you to pass and give you the best possible chance to do that at the first attempt. However, we recognise that you can have a bad day. If your results don’t match your expectations then we will talk through your performance with you and review your work and previous exam performances in order to consider all your options.
Salaries are competitive and in line with the wider industry. They are based on the cost of living and local market rates. You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your starting salary and other benefits when offered.
Your salary will be reviewed along with your colleagues. You can expect rewarding pay rises as you progress through your programme and career.
No. We don’t have any special intake, extra level or salary for those with a masters degree, although we do encourage those with a masters to apply for our graduate trainee programme.
To start with you get 22 days, plus public holidays. Holiday entitlement will increase as you progress in your career.
We offer a number of excellent benefits such as life assurance, private health cover and pension.