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Accounting Centre Trainee Scheme

What is it?

Our unique school leaver Accounting Centre Trainee Scheme is designed for school leavers who are interested in working within a Financial environment for a fast moving fashion retailer. The Accounting Centre is based in Leeds at the Burton Business Park, Torre Road.

The Accounting Centre deal with Financial Accounting and Processing for all of the Arcadia brands.

The scheme lasts between 9-15 months and if successfully completed could lead to a permanent position within Arcadia Group's Accounting Centre. Our Trainee scheme fully supports the study of an NVQ.

We are currently seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our Trainee Scheme beginning in July 2008. Rotations last 3 months, with placements in the following departments:

Payroll
The Payroll Department are responsible for paying all of The Arcadia Group's 27,000 employees including head office and retail employees for all of the brands.

Accounts Payable
The Accounts Payable Department ensures all suppliers to the Arcadia Group are paid in an accurate and timely manner.

Collections/Credit Control
The Collections/Credit Control Department ensures accurate and prompt collection of over £1 billion debt owed to Arcadia in any one year. In addition it is the department's responsibility to try and minimise the Group's exposure to bad debt, through pro-active credit control initiatives.

Stock Accounting
The Stock Accounting Department ensures accurate Branch Stock Accounting records are maintained.

Data Services
Data Services comprises of two transaction processing areas; Banking and Data Control. Banking are responsible for the reconciliation and follow up of branch banking. Data Control are responsible for the management and control of General Ledger, the printing and distribution of Branch Management Information, the provision of data and reporting for Loss Prevention teams.

Trainees Profiles

Kylie Smyth- Administrative Assistant, Payroll
Trainee scheme 2005
"I left school when I was 16 straight after doing my GCSEs, & wanted to start work (to earn some money!) but it was also important to me to continue my education. The Arcadia Group's Trainee Scheme seemed the ideal solution and I joined the Arcadia Group in 2005. I had the opportunity to work in several different departments, offering some great challenges and experiences along the way and I am happy to say I secured a permanent role on Payroll and Personnel services within my first year on the scheme. The scheme has opened up loads of opportunities, I have learnt how to interact with a wide range of people across the business and have completed my NVQ level 2 in customer services and have nearly finished NVQ Level 3. I'm now confident in my career because I have both work experience and qualifications to support my future career progression."

Natalie Ruane- Administrative Assistant, Accounts Payable Trainee Scheme 2006
"I joined Arcadia in May 2006 on the Trainee Scheme. This scheme has given me the opportunity to work in various departments within the group to gain knowledge and experience. I have worked in 4 departments: Accounts Payable, Stock Accounting, Collections and Payroll. I did 3 months in each department. I was successful in gaining a permanent position within the Accounts Payable department in March 2007 and continued with the NVQ 2. I am now working towards NVQ level 3."

Bev Jackson, Accounts Payable, Deputy Manager
Trainee scheme 1982
"I joined Arcadia Group when it was The Burton Group, back in May 1982 as an Accounting Centre trainee. Back then, the Scheme was based on two six month placements which I completed in Branch Accounts and Purchase Ledger. During that time I gained lots of office experience and enjoyed working as part of a team. I soon knew that this was a role I was interested in and was lucky enough to secure a permanent role as a Purchase Ledger Clerk as my scheme ended. Since then I have had the opportunity to learn many roles in my department, gaining new experiences each time. Learning new skills provided me with a good foundation to progress and I welcomed the chance to become Supervisor, Team leader and eventually Accounts Payable Deputy Manager. My role as Manager now means that I work with new people joining our Trainee Scheme, helping them to develop in the work place and to learn new skills along the way."

Salary & Benefits:

  • Salary £10,000
  • Structured training and development
  • Support to study NVQ
  • 25% discount on all Arcadia's fantastic brands
  • 22 days holiday
  • Participation in Company Bonus scheme
  • Pension scheme

To Apply you will need to:

  • Be enthusiastic, eager to learn and excited by working within an office environment.
  • Demonstrate an interest in Accounting within the fashion business
  • Be available to start full time work in July 2008

Our application process involves the following steps:


  1. Completion of online application form
  2. Telephone interview with a member of our HR Team
  3. Attendance at Assessment Centre (in Leeds)

If you have the right to work in the UK and you're confident that you fulfil all our requirements, please complete the application form by selecting 'Apply Now' at the top of the page. This could be the first step towards your future career

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