The perfect size firm – big enough to challenge you, small enough to care.
With over 135 years of heritage, Shorts has grown into a nationally recognised, award-winning practice. We’re proudly independent, with two local offices in Chesterfield and Sheffield, and a wide range of services including Audit, Accounts, Corporate Finance, Private Client, and more.
But one thing has never changed – our people-first approach. It’s at the heart of everything we do.
|
Our values aren’t just for show - they’re how we support each other, challenge ourselves, and deliver for our clients.
At Shorts, you’ll live these values every day - whether you’re working with clients, studying for your exams or grabbing a coffee with a Partner. - Here’s what that means for you as a new graduate.
“You'd think it's quite intimidating coming into a new position, but they're invested in your study, so it feels like they're constantly fighting your corner to progress you, not as just an accountant for them, but as a person in general."
"I've come so far already in terms of my confidence and everyone just feels like one big community at work. It's just makes the whole settling process a lot easier.”
What it means |
What it looks like for you |
|
We’re real people who care about the people we work with. We value honesty, kindness, and connection - no jargon, no ego, just genuine relationships built on trust. |
|
%20(Small).jpg?width=200&height=200&name=Andy%20Liversidge%20SQ%20(1%20of%202)%20(Small).jpg)
|
“The joining process at Shorts is so personal, so, well, human.It didn’t seem so much about the role itself, but about me as a person- my strengths, my interests, and how I’d fit into the team. From the first chat to my first day, I felt genuinely welcomed and supported. It’s clear Shorts cares about people, not just numbers.”Andy Liversidge, new starter |
"For the first exam I was really nervous of failing. To prepare I went over the question bank multiple times to make sure I got adequate practice. I also did all of the mocks on the ICAEW website and First Intuition and then went over areas of weakness that the mock identified.
The support I received was very good and Lana was very helpful at calming my nerves as well as providing me with a helpful Quizlet link to revise and gave me exam technique advice. Also, the day off before the real exam to revise was very beneficial."
What it means |
What it looks like for you |
|
We work as one team. Different departments, different expertise - but always connected, always collaborating, always pulling in the same direction. |
|
|
“They lay everything on the table so you know what to expect, which is nice, because I like to be able to plan. Lana asked "Do you want weekly catch ups? Do you want written feedback?" They've given me the ability to adjust and alter the feedback or catching up process to suit me.”Jack Daniels (Graduate, 2025 intake) |
"For the first exam I was really nervous of failing. To prepare I went over the question bank multiple times to make sure I got adequate practice. I also did all of the mocks on the ICAEW website and First Intuition and then went over areas of weakness that the mock identified.
The support I received was very good and Lana was very helpful at calming my nerves as well as providing me with a helpful Quizlet link to revise and gave me exam technique advice. Also, the day off before the real exam to revise was very beneficial."
What it means |
What it looks like for you |
|
We do what we say we’ll do. Our clients and colleagues can count on us to deliver quality work, meet deadlines, and always do the right thing - even when no one’s watching. |
|
|
“Shorts embodies its core values of being human, joined-up, proactive, reliable, and leading. For me, reliability means knowing that when challenges arise, the team will respond quickly and effectively.”Adebambo (Graduate, 2023 intake) |
"For the first exam I was really nervous of failing. To prepare I went over the question bank multiple times to make sure I got adequate practice. I also did all of the mocks on the ICAEW website and First Intuition and then went over areas of weakness that the mock identified.
The support I received was very good and Lana was very helpful at calming my nerves as well as providing me with a helpful Quizlet link to revise and gave me exam technique advice. Also, the day off before the real exam to revise was very beneficial."
What it means |
What it looks like for you |
|
We set the standard in everything we do - not by being the biggest, but by being the best version of ourselves. We lead through innovation, quality, and the way we care for our clients and our people. |
|
|
“Having direct access to training from senior team members. Receiving on-the-job support has been invaluable. I feel comfortable asking questions, knowing that experienced colleagues are always there to help.”Paschal (Graduate, 2023 intake) |
"Overall the joining process was great I found everyone to be very friendly and helpful and I had access to a lot of key information."
What it means |
What it looks like for you |
|
We don’t wait for things to happen - we make them happen. We’re curious, forward-thinking, and always looking for ways to improve, innovate, and add value. |
If you’ve got an idea, speak up! We love fresh thinking. Whether it’s a new way to streamline a process or a suggestion for team socials, your voice matters. You’ll be encouraged to ask questions, get involved, and take initiative. Being proactive is how you grow - and how we keep Shorts moving forward. |
|
“Shorts really encouraged me to bring new ideas to the table from day one. I suggested a way to streamline our audit prep, and the team actually trialled it. It made me feel like my input mattered and that the firm is genuinely open to change.”Eliza (Graduate, 2024 intake) |
"it's apparent that shorts are definitely invested in your development.
I noticed straight from the off, and I've learned so much, because people have taken the time out of the day to help me progress and develop me and help me with the more tricky side of things."
|
|
Lana ReidLearning and |
Ian RobinsonSenior Audit Quality, |
|
I help everyone achieve their development goals or discover new ones through thoughtful, responsive, and tailored support; fostering collaboration, and creating spaces where learning is shared, inclusive, and energising. |
I oversee all aspects related to Audit Quality. I also help with shaping the firm’s training strategy and coordinating all technical matters relating to the Corporate Audit and Accounts Team. |
|
|
As part of our NexGen Graduate Programme, you’ll work towards the ICAEW ACA qualification through First Intuition- a highly respected route that usually takes around three years to complete.
You’ll follow a clear, structured pathway. It begins with foundation exams then moves into advanced levels. Along the way, you’ll gain real client experience that brings your learning to life.
You’ll have classroom tuition, dedicated revision sessions, mock exams, and access to expert tutors who know the ACA inside out. And because we believe in investing in you, Shorts covers all the costs - tuition, exams, and professional memberships.
You’ll get funded study leave and mentoring from Lana Reid, our Learning & Development Manager, and Ian Robinson, our Senior Technical & Training Lead. They’ve helped dozens of trainees find the right balance between work, study, and life – and they’re always on hand for advice, encouragement, or just a friendly chat.
To help you see what this looks like in practice, meet Grace Starkey, who joined us as a graduate in 2024 and is already making great progress on her ACA journey…
Lunch with the team
Exploring the offices & finding the best coffee spots
Get set up with all your tech
Regular check-ins with your manager and buddies to make sure you're feeling confident and supported before you start
Grace began her career at Shorts by learning the basics and building confidence. She:
Learnt our systems and completed an online bookkeeping and accounts course to strengthen her practical skills
Got to know Shorts by joining real-life projects and shadowing colleagues to see how things really work
Prepared her first set of accounts and spent time in different teams to expand her knowledge
Started her ACA journey with tuition sessions and training at First Intuition, Sheffield
By the end of year one, Grace had mastered the fundamentals of accounting, finance, and business
Support provided:
Full funding for all courses and exams
Dedicated study leave and regular check-ins with her mentor
To acknowledge Grace's progression, development, and successful completion of her certificate level 1, she has been promoted to Audit and Accounts Semi-Senior.
Grace is now at Stage 2, where she’s building deeper expertise and taking on more responsibility. This stage typically involves six exams and is usually completed in year two of the programme.
What Grace is doing now:
Developing advanced technical and analytical skills
Leading smaller audits and drafting client reports
Supporting planning discussions with senior team members
What’s next for Grace:
If Grace successfully completes Stage 2 and demonstrates the right behaviours, technical development, and client ownership, she’ll be ready for the next step — promotion to Senior Accountant. This milestone reflects her growing expertise and leadership within the team.
Grace will then prepare for the final stage of her qualification journey. Stage 3 is all about becoming a fully-fledged professional, applying everything she’s learned to complex, real-world scenarios. This stage typically involves three exams and is usually completed in year three.
What Grace will be doing then:
Taking part in strategic client meetings
Applying advanced technical knowledge to challenging cases
Shaping her career path within Shorts
What’s next for Grace:
Developing strategic and leadership-level skills
Building confidence to manage projects and clients independently
Achieving Chartered Accountant (ACA) status — a globally recognised qualification
With the right behaviours and continued development, Grace could progress to Senior Accountant or even start preparing for a Manager role
|
||
|
|
 |
|
|
At Shorts, one of our core values is being ‘Human’ - and that starts right from the application process. We know applying for graduate roles can sometimes feel robotic and impersonal, but that’s not how we do things. In return, we promise a recruitment experience that’s open, supportive, and honest from start to finish. |
|
| 📅 Applications Open: | Open now |
| 📅 Closing date: | 5th January 2026 |
| 🚀 Start date: | August/September 2026 |
| ✅How To Apply: |
Complete the form at the end of this page |
| Follow our LinkedIn page here. |
|
|
A quick note on AI: |
|
Once you’ve submitted your application & CV our team will personally review your application.
You will receive an update within two weeks as to whether you’ve been successful or not.
If successful, you’ll be invited to a friendly 20/30-minute video call with Laura, our Talent Acquisition Manager.
This isn’t a formal interview - it’s a conversation. We’ll chat about your background, what attracted you to Shorts, and what you’re hoping to get out of the graduate scheme.
We understand that graduates often face a lot of these, and we completely understand it can feel repetitive. We know these tests can be daunting, but we’ll be clear about what to expect, and we are always happy to provide feedback afterwards.
Here’s why we use them:
✅ They help us understand your analytical and problem-solving skills
✅ They show how you process information under time pressure
✅ They give us a fair, objective measure that complements your interview
✅ They can highlight your strengths - even if you’re nervous at interview
The final stage will be a meeting at our Sheffield office with our Partner – Malcolm Pope.
It’s relaxed, friendly, and designed to help us understand how you think, communicate, and see yourself fitting into life at Shorts. Prior to the interview we will email you a personality questionnaire which will give an insight into behaviours, personality traits, motivations and workplace style. This will support us to understand your individual development paths and how to support your study.
During the interview you won’t be asked to perform a technical test or trick questions - it’s simply about getting to know you as a person.